# Ice-free vitrification and nano warming technology for banking of cardiovascular structures.

> **NIH NIH R44** · TISSUE TESTING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC · 2022 · $12,392

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This diversity administrative supplement proposal is focused on obtaining postdoctoral support for an outstanding
individual, Dr. Fred Xavier, to work on our Phase II SBIR grant directed at translation of ice-free cryopreservation
by vitrification employing a novel approach of volumetric heating by nanowarming using Fe nanoparticles in an
alternating electromagnetic field and be trained in small business entrepreneurship. Vitrification, sub-zero
storage below the glass transition temperature in a “glassy” rather than a crystalline frozen phase, is a form of
cryopreservation that avoids ice formation.
There are 3 specific aims in which we will employ porcine vascular models in a combination of ex vivo and in
vivo studies. Dr. Xavier will be involved in all three aims with emphasis on biomechanics, surgery, histopathology,
presentations, publications with training in all business aspects including customer outreach. His work will be
supervised by a multidisciplinary Advisory Oversight Committee consisting of faculty from Tissue Testing
Technologies LLC (T3LLC), Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, and Imperial College,
London, with Dr. Brockbank training him in business issues related to operating a small business.
In Aim 1 we will evaluate cryopreserved arteries after real time shipping, comparing methods and validating the
transport conditions that are finally approved based upon absence of tissue cracking. In Aim 2 we will
characterize the post-ice-free cryopreservation state of arteries preserved for at least 2 years. In addition, during
this aim we will characterize the chemistry and biomaterial properties of ice-free cryopreserved blood vessels.
In Aim 3 we will perform short-term transplant studies (28 days) in two porcine vascular models (femoral and
pulmonary artery into the carotid and pulmonary, respectively) in order to validate our technology for a future
Phase IIb SBIR proposal using clinically relevant preclinical non-human primate models and human tissues. At
the conclusion of these aims it is anticipated that Dr. Xavier will have the necessary tools to establish himself as
a successful independent clinical investigator and become an entrepreneur.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10498995
- **Project number:** 3R44HL142455-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** TISSUE TESTING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelvin G.M. Brockbank
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $12,392
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-12-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10498995

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10498995, Ice-free vitrification and nano warming technology for banking of cardiovascular structures. (3R44HL142455-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10498995. Licensed CC0.

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