EPFL-Wireless Heart Pump

Undesirable effects of both artificial hearts and left ventricular assist devices are damage done to red blood cells and increased risk of clots forming—in both instances because these devices have direct contact with blood. To lessen these conditions, researchers in EPFL’s Integrated Actuators Lab have made rings of an electro active polymer that fit round the aorta and are activate to pump with a wireless external magnetic field device. See the video. MORE WITH VIDEO

Image Credit: EPFL’s Integrated Actuators Lab and MedGadget.com