4DBIOSTENT: bioresorbable stent for pediatric aortic coarctation

Pediatric aortic coarctation is a congenital heart disease consisting of a narrowing of the aorta. This condition happens in 4/10,000 live births and carries a poor prognosis, with untreated patients typically dying at an average age of 34 years. Standard treatments—surgery, balloons, and stents—temporarily widen the arteries, but often lead to complications and require repeated interventions as children grow. While current treatments aim to expand the arteries, they are permanent and do not promote sustained vascular health, especially in young patients with dynamic and evolving arteries. Based on current treatments’ drawbacks, we have conceived an innovative, 4D bioresorbable stent tailored to children with aortic coarctation. The stent can expand and adapt as the child’s artery grows, responding to body temperature and blood vessel mechanics. Made from special materials that dissolve over time, it provides temporary support while promoting healthy artery growth and reducing the need for multiple surgeries, improving children’s life quality. We aim to validate our device through preclinical tests and finalize its technology transfer by securing intellectual property and a robust business model.