title: Artificial muscle for end-stage heart failure.
abstract: We describe a device made of artificial muscle for the treatment of end-stage heart failure as an alternative to current heart assist devices. The key component is a matrix of nitinol wires and aramidic fibers called Biometal muscle (BM). When heated electrically, it produces a motorless, smooth, and lifelike motion. The BM is connected to a carbon fiber scaffold, tightening the heart and providing simultaneous assistance to the left and right ventricles. A pacemaker-like microprocessor drives the contraction of the BM. We tested the device in a dedicated bench model of diseased heart. It generated a systolic pressure of 75 mm Hg and ejected a maximum of 330 ml/min, with an ejection fraction of 12%. The device required a power supply of 6 V, 250 mA. This could be the beginning of an era in which BMs integrate or replace the mechanical function of natural muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. Piergiorgio.Tozzi@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Piergiorgio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tozzi
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michalis
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hayoz
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Locca
authors.forename: Ludwig K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: von Segesser
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery; D006354:Heart, Artificial; D006801:Humans; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D009532:Nickel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014025:Titanium / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium