THE FIRST BIOROBOTIC HEART: WHAT IT MEANS FOR HEART HEALTH

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for 31% of all deaths. With such a significant impact on human health, advancements in heart technology are crucial.

The development of the first biorobotic heart is a groundbreaking achievement that has the potential to revolutionize heart health. A biorobotic heart is an artificial heart that imitates a natural human heart using biological and synthetic materials and relies on an external power source.

This blog dives into the evolution, development, and applications of biorobotic hearts and their potential impact on the future of cardiology.

Key Takeaways

• The biorobotic heart is a promising new approach to artificial heart development.
• The heart comprises biocompatible materials that are less likely to cause rejection than traditional artificial hearts.
• It can mimic the natural pumping action of the heart, which could improve patient outcomes.

The First Successful Biorobotic Heart

Also known as a biorobotic hybrid heart, it mimics the complex motion of the heart using a synthetic myocardium and preserved heart tissue that allows the synthetic myocardium to attach to a living heart.

Two things make this biorobotic heart unique:

1. The design and twisting motion of the beating robotic myocardium
2. The way the organic heart tissue is preserved

A Superior Twist: HVMB-Inspired Robotic Myocardium

The use of cutting-edge tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting technologies allows for optimal biocompatibility between the synthetic and organic components of the hybrid heart. The myocardium has one of the most sophisticated designs to date, made of a soft, biocompatible material able to mimic the structure and function of the HVMB in the human heart.^[1]

The helical ventricular myocardial band (HVMB) is a group of specialized muscle fibers in the heart's ventricles. These fibers generate a twisting motion essential for pumping blood out of the heart.

Inside the synthetic myocardium are strings of soft robotic actuators. These look like bubbles and can fill with air. They wrap around a heart ventricle and inflate, emulating the twisting motion that allows a real heart to beat. In the same way, this motion allows the biorobotic heart to generate a more natural and efficient pumping action than traditional artificial hearts.

This artificial heart is the first to capture the essence of an organic heartbeat.

Enhanced Durability

The synthetic myocardium is attached to a living endocardial scaffold from a pig heart, preserved to enhance longevity. It is attached in a spiral fashion using a custom-designed biological adhesive.

The pig heart tissue used in the biorobotic heart is preserved and strengthened by a process called decellularization. This process involves removing all the cells from the heart tissue while leaving the extracellular matrix intact. The extracellular matrix is the structural framework that encompasses and reinforces the cells in a tissue.

Wireless Control

The synthetic myocardium mimics the heartbeat using electrical and chemical signals. Actuators embedded in the myocardium respond to electrical signals, causing contraction and relaxation. Chemical exposure modulates material properties, affecting contraction and relaxation. The wireless controller allows remote monitoring and adjustment of the actuators for patient comfort and safety.

A Major Milestone in the History of Heart Technology

Over the years, there have been many advancements in heart technologies that revolutionized the field of cardiology every step of the way. These are as follows:

• The invention of the first pacemaker in 1958
• The first successful heart transplant in 1967
• The first biosynthetic heart valve in the 1960s
• The development of coronary stents in the 1980s
• The first successful artificial heart implantation in 1982

Scientists have made significant advancements in heart technologies, including improved surgical techniques and immune suppression.

Robotics, 3D bioprinting, and gene editing have propelled cardiology into a new era of regenerative heart technologies. Mechanical hearts and artificial hearts have become more biocompatible and durable^[2]. Stem cells and muscle tissue can create regenerative heart patches, personalized hearts are now printed^[3], and artificial organs use integrated AI for precise medication delivery.

While these advancements have improved heart disease treatment, more advanced technologies, like the perfect biorobotic heart, are still needed.

Biorobotic Heart Applications

Currently, the biorobotic heart primarily assists research efforts, likened to that of ‘a beating heart on a lab bench’ by Ellen Roche, a senior engineer involved in its invention.^[4]

It can serve as a real-time heart simulator to study heart function, cardiovascular disease, and new drugs or treatments for heart conditions.

As a simulator, the biorobotic heart uses clear fluid to replace blood. Connected instruments measure various aspects like blood flow and pressure. Users can customize parameters like heart rate and blood pressure and observe real-time effects on the heart via an internal camera.

Despite ethical concerns, biorobotic hearts can provide a more accurate and ethical alternative to direct animal testing.

In the future, the biorobotic heart will become a viable option for total artificial heart replacement, used as a temporary or permanent solution for patients with heart failure.

Challenges and Limitations of Biorobotic Hearts

Some challenges require addressing before this hybrid heart can gain approval for safe use. These include:

• Developing a synthetic myocardium that is strong enough to withstand the pressures of the circulatory system.
• Making the biorobotic heart more compact and lightweight.
• Optimizing the design of the heart to ensure that it delivers an adequate blood supply to the rest of the body.

The ethical questions raised by this technology bring further drawbacks to light, such as:

• The harvesting or use of animal cells and tissues for human gain.
• The affordability and accessibility of the technology may widen socioeconomic disparity.
• The long-term safety and efficacy of biorobotic hearts.

It is necessary to address these ethical considerations before hybrid hearts enter the market and to ensure equitable access.

Despite these challenges, the biorobotic heart is an encouraging breakthrough that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of heart failure.

Future of Heart Health

The development of biorobotic hearts marks a new era in heart health. The future looks promising with advancements in tissue engineering, bioprinting, and other heart technologies.

Biorobotic hearts can save lives, improve outcomes, and reduce costs. The goal is to create fully functional artificial hearts, eliminating the need for transplants and lowering risks. This technology will significantly impact patient outcomes and healthcare costs. Biorobotic hearts offer a natural and safer alternative, improving lives worldwide.

Conclusion

The development of the first biorobotic heart is a significant achievement that has the potential to revolutionize heart health. With continued research and development, biorobotic hearts could become a standard and effective treatment for heart disease. It is an exciting time for cardiology, and we can look forward to even more groundbreaking discoveries.

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