Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), in collaboration with partners from the Holland Hybrid Heart consortium, have achieved a significant milestone in the development of a soft robotic heart designed to integrate seamlessly with the human body. The team's findings, recently published in Nature Communications, detail the successful operation of an early prototype capable of pumping blood using soft robotic components.
The innovative device, termed the "Hybrid Heart," is engineered to mimic the natural rhythm and flexibility of a human heart. Unlike traditional artificial hearts, this soft robotic heart aims to reduce complications such as blood clots, immune rejection, and infections by incorporating a biocompatible, degradable inner lining. This synthetic layer, developed by TU/e researchers, is designed to attract the patient’s own cells, gradually forming natural tissue as the synthetic material degrades. Over time, this process results in a living tissue lining, enhancing the heart's compatibility and longevity.
The initial prototype demonstrated promising results, successfully pumping blood under laboratory conditions and maintaining function for nearly an hour in a large test animal. Notably, the device operates without electronic signals, utilizing air pressure to control the soft robotic components. This approach simplifies the system and reduces potential points of failure.
The Hybrid Heart project is led by Erasmus MC and involves a consortium of 15 partners, including universities, applied sciences institutions, companies, and patient organizations. The initiative has received €10.4 million in funding from the Dutch National Science Agenda (NWA) to support the development of this transformative technology.
Heart failure affects approximately 250,000 individuals in the Netherlands and 23 million globally. With donor hearts in limited supply, the Hybrid Heart presents a promising alternative, potentially improving the quality of life for patients awaiting transplantation. The research team aims to develop a fully implantable version of the robotic heart for long-term testing in preclinical models, with the goal of transitioning to human applications within the next decade.
This advancement marks a significant step toward the realization of a regenerative artificial heart, combining the durability of synthetic materials with the adaptability of living tissue to meet the pressing needs of heart failure patients worldwide.