This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Robotics sleeves designed for failing hearts
A study published in Science Translational Medicine, has explained how scientists have developed a robotic sleeve that can help failing hearts pump better.
The sleeve has been developed in a fashion that allows it to ‘hug’ the outside of the heart and squeeze it, mimicking the action of cardiac muscle.
The news comes as over half a million people in the UK have heart failure, a condition which worsens over time.
Scientists based at Harvard and the Boston Children's Hospital say their soft sleeve was inspired by the actions and structure of real heart muscle.
The scientists found that when the silicon-based device (which stiffens or relaxes when inflated with pressurised air) was attached to pigs’ hearts, the device was able to synchronise with each heart's shape and movements.
Currently, mechanical devices can be implanted in the heart to help it pump, however there is a risk of the body reacting negatively to the mechanism which can lead to the occurrence of dangerous blood clots.
The researchers acknowledged that the tests were still at an early stage and longer-term animal studies were still necessary, before human studies could be carried.
Christopher Allen, senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "People living with end-stage heart failure are in desperate need of symptom relief, and some will even require a heart transplant.
"We currently don't have enough hearts available to meet the needs of those who require a heart transplant, so we're always looking for innovative new ways to buy time to give people the best chance possible of receiving a new heart and a new lease of life.
"This early research suggests a novel approach to help support heart function, and it will be interesting to see if this translates successfully in human trials in the future."
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