BioSMART: Bioelectronic Stent with electrochemical Monitoring, Acoustics, power Recovery, and wireless Telemetry

Between 2009 and 2017, over half of a million patients underwent an intervention for in-stent restenosis of a coronary vascular stent. Despite concerted efforts by industrial and academic researchers, modern drug eluting and resorbable stents have not materially reduced the risk of in-stent restenosis, posing a lethal hazard to the 1.2 million Americans who receive a stent implant every year. This proposal outlines a development plan for a novel electronically-enhanced smart-stent, BioSMART, capable of monitoring vascular health and stent integrity, measuring hemodynamic parameters, detecting restenosis and thrombosis, and sensing biomarkers indicating an increased risk of myocardial infarction. BioSMART communicates over a secured wireless link to a modern phone or tablet through a dongle, and actively alerts patients when sensor readings significantly change. The BioSMART device is designed of biocompatible materials, and is intended to be fully compatible with existing surgical workflows and delivery procedures.