Summary: Researchers from Harvard have created a silicone sleeve that has been proven to help a pig’s heart continue to pump blood after it’s failed. With some tweaks, there’s a chance the soft, squishy robo–sleeve could work in humans, keeping hearts beating until a transplant can be performed. The robot is made from an adjustable elastic silicone sleeve lined with narrow tubes. One set of tubes wraps around the sleeve while the other set extends from top to bottom. Air pumped through the tubes makes the sleeve twist and contract. “When these are pressurized with air in synchrony with the heart cycle, the device can squeeze and twist like the underlying heart and augment its function,” study leader Dr. Ellen Roche explained referring to the tubes. Researchers induced heart failure in pigs and were able to see an obvious result in pumping the blood. With concerns about blood clotting, there were modifications in the making before use with humans. "There's a lot of work to be done, but ultimately we would hope it to last for years," she said. "We will continue working on this technology and work towards long-term pre-clinical studies."
Analysis: This article was published on FoxNews on January 30, 2017 by Walt Boner. Prior to reading this article, I had no idea about the advancements doctors were making in this situation in particular. This article shows to inform others of progress that has been made and is important in showing us how much technology is taking over in both good ways and bad.
Synthesis: This article is connected to the various changing practices in medicine as the years went on and people were more educated.
Article- http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/30/by-squeezing-and-twisting-new-robot-could-keep-hearts-pumping.html
This seems very promising and I look forward to see how it evolves in the future, it could possibly be something that saves many lives.
ReplyDelete