The primary conduit for blood, known as the aorta, can weaken and rupture in a significant percentage of the population. Reinforcement of the weakened aorta can be achieved by placement of a lining device known as a stent, but that can also block conduits that branch from the aorta causing further problems. A team of researchers co-led by Mohammad Eslami, MD (pictured top), Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Director of Clinical Research, UPMC Division of Vascular Surgery, and Chief of Vascular Surgery, UPMC Mercy, and McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine affiliated faculty member David Vorp, PhD (pictured bottom), Associate Dean for Research, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, John A. Swanson Professor of Bioengineering, Co-Director of the Center for Medical Innovation, and the Director of the Vascular Bioengineering Laboratory, are developing a new method to create holes in the stent, while within the patient, to allow passage of blood to branching conduits.
