Scientists develop robotic sleeve that can keep the heart pumping

Scientists are developing a robotic sleeve that can encase a flabby diseased heart and gently squeeze the heart, to keep it pumping.

Researchers at Harvard University and Boston Children's Hospital developed the soft robotic device as they hope it improve the treatment of deadly heart failure, when the heart gets too weak to pump blood.

The device which is highly experimental, allows artificial muscles wind through the thin silicone sleeve. They alternately compress, twist and relax to mimic the heart's natural movement and strengthen its beat.

The researchers reported that it improved blood flow when implanted into pigs.

More work is needed before the sleeve could be studied in people.

The research was reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Associated Press