MIT Researchers Unveil Revolutionary Biorobotic Heart Simulator
MIT researchers unveil a groundbreaking biorobotic heart simulator, blending biology and technology to mimic a real heart’s function. The innovative device, based on a pig heart model, offers versatile applications in cardiac research, surgical training, and understanding heart conditions.
By Richard Cole · January 11, 2024
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers have created a groundbreaking biorobotic heart simulator, detailed in a recent study published in the journal Device on January 10. This innovative technology, combining biological and synthetic components, offers a lifelike simulation of heart function, promising to reshape cardiac research, surgical training, and treatment understanding.
The biorobotic heart, presented by senior author and biomedical engineer Ellen Roche, integrates a biological heart with a silicone robotic pump, precisely mimicking the structure, motion, and functionality of a real heart. The simulator focuses on the left-side heart valve, providing a versatile research tool for studying various heart conditions and interventions.
"It can serve as a surgical training platform for clinicians, medical students, and trainees, allow device engineers to study their new designs, and even help patients better understand their own disease and potential treatments."
Addressing the limitations of current heart simulators and the challenges of expensive and time-consuming animal studies, the biorobotic heart offers a cost-effective solution with an extended shelf life of months.
The researchers specifically targeted mitral regurgitation, a prevalent heart disorder affecting millions globally. Using a pig heart as a model, the left chamber’s heart muscle was replaced with a silicone-made soft robotic pump system, accurately replicating the symptoms of a leaky heart valve. This biorobotic heart allowed the team to test and refine three surgical techniques for treating mitral regurgitation.
The simulator facilitates real-time data collection during surgery, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the procedures. The artificial blood used in the system is clear, allowing direct visualization of the surgical steps, an essential feature highlighted in the source study.
Roche envisions the biorobotic heart as a pivotal tool for cardiac surgery training and practice, offering a realistic environment for medical professionals. The research team’s future goals include optimizing the system and exploring 3D printing technology to recreate a synthetic human heart.
This MIT breakthrough could lead to advancements in medical training and surgical techniques and also may hold the potential to expedite the development of innovative cardiac devices, ultimately benefiting patients on a global scale.