A Tiny Machine That Could Change How We Treat Cholesterol
Dr. David Samadi
Imagine treating clogged arteries without surgery—no scalpels, no stents, and no extended hospital stays. That’s the promise of a new concept in development: a thread-sized machine designed to physically remove cholesterol buildup from arteries—while the patient remains awake.
Developed by the innovative minds at Dahir Insaat, this tiny device offers a potential breakthrough in managing atherosclerosis, the buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque that narrows blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms. Statistically speaking, up to one-third of deaths worldwide are due to these types of illnesses due to excess cholesterol buildup or deposits.
How It (Could) Work
Though still in the conceptual phase, here’s how the device is designed to function:
- Insertion: The machine, no larger than a strand of thread, would be inserted into the body through the femoral artery in the groin.
- Navigation: Using a miniature camera, the device would navigate the vascular system to reach the site of arterial blockage.
- Blood Flow Control: Tiny balloons would inflate to temporarily stop blood flow, stabilizing the area for precision work.
- Clear Visibility: If necessary, blood would be flushed out and replaced with a clear saline solution to improve visibility.
- Plaque Removal: A specialized blade—engineered to remove only cholesterol plaque—would carefully clear the artery without damaging the vessel wall.
- Restoration: Once cleaned, the saline is removed, the balloons deflate, and regular blood flow is restored.
The goal? A minimally invasive way to physically remove plaque with surgical precision—without the need for open-heart surgery.
Why This Matters
Current treatments for clogged arteries include medications, stents, angioplasty, and major surgeries like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These approaches are effective, but they also come with risks, longer recovery times, and potential complications.
This new device could offer several advantages:
- Less invasive than surgery or stenting
- Lower risk of complications
- Faster recovery time
- Greater precision in removing blockages
The patient could, theoretically, walk out the same day—an incredible advancement if proven successful.
Not Ready Yet—But Promising
It’s essential to recognize that this machine is still in its conceptual stage. No clinical trials have confirmed its safety or effectiveness in humans. More research is needed before it becomes part of routine care.
Still, this concept opens the door to reimagining how we treat cardiovascular disease—a condition that remains the leading cause of death worldwide.
Current Options for High Cholesterol
Until this futuristic device becomes a reality, here’s what we currently rely on to manage high cholesterol:
- PCSK9 inhibitors: Injectable medications like Repatha® and Leqvio® help the liver remove more LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from the blood.
- LDL apheresis: A dialysis-like procedure that filters LDL cholesterol directly from the blood.
- Oral medications, including statins, ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and bile acid sequestrants, are commonly used to lower cholesterol levels.
Lifestyle changes also play a significant role—diet, exercise, weight management, and avoiding tobacco remain foundational to any treatment plan.
The Future of Heart Health
If this cholesterol-clearing micro-machine lives up to its potential, it could revolutionize how we treat one of the most dangerous conditions affecting men’s health. But for now, managing cholesterol through proven therapies remains essential.
Stay tuned as this promising technology moves from concept to clinical reality. We’ll be watching closely.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of two books, Prostate Cancer, Now What? A Practical Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery and The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.