# Biopsy Tract Sealing Device with Magnetic Resonance and X-Ray Image Contrast

> **NIH NIH R01** · TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION · 2022 · $595,333

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
When cancer is suspected in a patient, the tissue in question must be removed and analyzed. This procedure is
called a biopsy and is a crucial step in early detection of cancer. However, the procedure leaves a hole in the
tissue which can continue to bleed, or in the case of lung tissue, leak air. In order to prevent any complications,
we propose a new device to fill these tissue voids that addresses limitations of current technologies. The Biopsy
Tract Sealing Device will be made of a shape memory foam and a gel that expand to fill the void made during
biopsy. The device will seal the hole to prevent any leaks of air or blood, with an added benefit of being visible
under MRI and X-ray imaging. This feature allows the physician to monitor any disease progression at the biopsy
site in follow-up visits.
The proposed work includes extensive pre-clinical testing and design verification that is required to translate this
technology. Namely, we plan to: 1) finalize design of the device, 2) perform studies to confirm the devices are
non-toxic and do not cause any undesirable tissue reaction after implantation, 3) conduct device design
verification tests to ensure performance is successful, and 4) summarize all test results in reports that can later
be used in an application to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This proposal has the potential to improve the safety and utility of a common procedure that can save lives
through early detection of cancer. Approximately 140,000 lung biopsies and 110,000 liver biopsies are performed
in the US each year. With high complication rates (~20-50%) of lung biopsy procedures and risk of severe
bleeding complications with liver biopsies, the healthcare of thousands of patients will be improved by this device
development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10343733
- **Project number:** 5R01CA254964-02
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION
- **Principal Investigator:** DUNCAN J MAITLAND
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $595,333
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-02-15 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10343733

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10343733, Biopsy Tract Sealing Device with Magnetic Resonance and X-Ray Image Contrast (5R01CA254964-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10343733. Licensed CC0.

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