# 3D-Printed Heartbeat Regulators These Artificial Heart 3D-Printed Membranes Could Save Your Life By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2014-03-03 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-membrane References: [independent](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/3dprinted-electronic-glove-could-help-keep-your-heart-beating-for-ever-9166004.html) & [3dprinter.net](http://www.3dprinter.net/3d-printed-membrane-help-prevent-heart-attacks) You’ve heard of 3D-printed auto parts, robots and even clothes, but a 3D-printed membrane for your heart is definitely out there. Scientists at the [University of Illinois](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/simulated-living-cells) and Washington University have made giant strides towards developing an artificial membrane that can keep hearts beating at a healthy rate and predict heart attacks before they happen. The scientists began by taking scans of a rabbit’s heart, generating a 3D model of it and printing the model using a 3D printer. The 3D-printed model was then used as a mold to create a silicon membrane custom-fitted to the rabbit’s heart. The heart was then removed, and the 3D-printed silicon membrane attached to it. Amazingly, the heart kept beating at a perfect pace even though it was outside the bunny’s body. It is hoped that this technology will be ready for use on human patients in 10-15 years. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 27% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Boomers](https://www.trendhunter.com/boomers) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Artificial Heart Membranes:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop improved 3D-printed membranes for artificial hearts to enhance their functionality and potential use in human patients. - **Heart Health Monitoring:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create advanced heart monitoring systems that can predict heart attacks before they occur, utilizing technologies like 3D printing and data analysis. - **Personalized Biomedical Devices:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore personalized 3D printing technologies to create customized biomedical devices, such as heart membranes, tailored to individual patients' needs. ### Where This Applies - **Biomedical Engineering:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Drive advancements in biomedical engineering to develop groundbreaking technologies for improving heart health and personalized medical devices. - **3D Printing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the field of 3D printing by expanding its applications to include complex biomedical devices, enabling advancements in healthcare. - **Healthcare Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Pioneer new healthcare technologies that combine 3D printing, AI, and data analysis to revolutionize heart health monitoring and treatment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wearable Ultrasound Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-ultrasound.md) - [Advanced Heart-Tracking Patches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultrasound-patch.md) - [3D-BioPrinted Space Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redwire-1.md) - [Mechanical Heart Puzzle Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/motorized-beating-heart.md) - [Patented 3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3d-bone.md) - [Living Printable Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/living-ink.md) - [Blood Clot-Relieving Millirobots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/millirobot.md) - [3D Medicine Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doserx1.md) - [Rapid Cardiac Protein Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wrist-sensor.md)