Peristaltic pump for the aorta

The lining on the aorta will help the heart to pump blood

Oleg Lischuk, N+1

Swiss scientists have developed a miniature device that helps the heart pump blood. It is a pump superimposed on the aorta, the press service of the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne reports (A tiny pump comes to the aid of weakened hearts).

The device called dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) consists of three polymer rings, each of which contains two electrodes. When a current is passed through them, the electrodes are attracted, compressing the polymer. Since the volume of the material remains constant, its surface area increases and it stretches. When the current is turned off, the polymer is compressed back.

The rings are placed on the aorta directly at its exit from the left ventricle of the heart. When current pulses are applied to the device by magnetic induction, the rings contract sequentially, performing peristaltic movements. This helps to remove blood into the aorta, unloading the myocardium.

Unlike existing devices that improve the pumping function of the heart, DEAP does not require open-heart surgery. It does not come into contact with blood and does not cause hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), which often complicates the use of intracardiac and intravascular pumps and requires regular blood transfusions. Inductive power eliminates the need for implantation of wires.

According to the developers, at this stage, DEAP is a prototype that needs to be finalized. When the work on the device is completed, its clinical trials are planned to be conducted at the Bern University Hospital.

DEAP is designed to help patients with heart failure during rehabilitation after acute cardiac diseases or while awaiting transplantation for chronic myocardial lesions.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  21.06.2016