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Not only does a heart transplant for people with weak, failing hearts involve the obvious risk of the transplant itself, it almost always involves taking anti-rejection drugs for life. Other alternatives include heart assist devices or even “artificial hearts”, many of which come into direct contact with the patient’s bloodstream, not only requiring the anti-rejection drugs, which suppress the entire immune system, but anti-clotting drugs as well. A new technology developed at the University of Leeds could solve those problems. A new webbing has been developed from biocompatible material that wraps around the heart, and by means of sensors and small motors, helps the heart to squeeze and pump the blood through the body. According to PhD student David Keeling, “It’s a really simple concept that works in the same way as when you squeeze a plastic bottle, forcing the liquid inside to rise”. Although still in the prototype stage, the initial tests are very promising.  Potential uses for the device are huge. As well as offering support to people suffering from heart and valve problems, the device could also be a bridging aid to patients as they wait for transplants, providing them with a better quality of life. Says David: “Recent research has found that with some heart diseases, supporting the heart for a short period with an assistive device reduces the work-load on the heart and allows it to rest and recover. Our device also allows for a controlled relaxation of the heart muscle after contraction, which means that it’s being supported throughout the whole heartbeat process. It’s the same as when you pull a muscle in any other part of your body, rest can often be the best therapy."
(leeds.ac.uk)References: leeds.ac.uk Filed In: |
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