A new robotic sleeve is being developed by scientists of Harvard University through which heart health will improve considerably. Yes, they are working on this sleeve which will encase a heart that has stopped beating. Do you know how it will help? Well, the robotic sleeve will squeeze it gently and keep it pumping.
As of now, the researchers have tested the same only on animals and it was found out that the blood flow in pigs is increased to a great extent. The sleeve is designed to imitate the heart’s natural moment; once it is ready, it will surely act as a great way to treat a dangerous heart failure.
The team of researchers from Harvard University is ensuring that it acts as a life saver. Artificial muscles have been wound into this sleeve, so that it can relax, twist and get compressed in synchrony with heart tissue. The approach is completely different from the current therapies and if this experiment is successful, it would prove to be an excellent option to heart transplants.
A famous Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Frank Pigula stated that the function of this device can be customized so that individual heart requirements are met; it is but obvious that heart functions of every individual differs and so it was necessary to design the device that way.
Heart failure is very common; on an average 41 million people all across the globe suffer from it, out of which 5 million of them are Americans. High blood pressure, heart attacks and other conditions weaken the heart and don’t let it function properly; the pumping is highly affected.
When cases become very severe, the only saviors are either battery powered mechanical pumps or heart transplants. Although these methods help to increase the life-span of an individual, they put blood pumping at risk. Yes, the blood isn’t pumped properly, due to which patients suffer from bleeding, strokes, and blood clots. On the other hand, this risk is eliminated in the robotic sleeve.
Conor Walsh, an associate engineering professor at Harvard says that the best thing about the new device is that it doesn’t come in contact with blood, but can be operated from outside. It fits well even when the surface of the heart is irregular. Since pressurized air will be the main charger, the device has to be carried in a fanny pack or backpack. Each heartbeat will be strengthened and optimized and various sections will be compressed.
This new robotic sleeve looks very smart, doesn’t it?
