Toward developing a compact total artificial heart using a soft robotic fluidic transmission system.

ABSTRACT: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality, with limited possibilities for transplantation due to a critical shortage of donor hearts. Replacing the heart with total artificial hearts (TAHs) remains challenging, due to size constraints and energy requirements, among others. To address this, we introduce the LIMO heart, a compact TAH concept based on an efficient soft fluidic transmission system. By reducing actuator volume and enhancing energy transfer, LIMO enables a more compact and efficient design. We developed a soft ventricle prototype using thin-walled pouch actuators that achieve transmission ratios above one via circumferential shrinkage. A fast, cost-effective prototyping method accelerated testing. Experimental results showed high energy transfer efficiency (82 to

SUBMITTER: Arfaee M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12219477 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature