Biomimetics to understand the broken heart and how to repair it.

Biomimetics is an interdisciplinary field of study that utilizes the principles of engineering, chemistry and biology to mimic the biological processes using synthetic materials and systems for solving complex human problems. In other words, it is the field of study that takes its inspiration from the nature to solve human problems. Thus made designs could be tested for regenerative medicines, tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Source: Wikipedia.

Worldwide, approximately 24.2 million people suffer from mitral regurgitation (MR). Mitral valve is situated between the left atrium and left ventricle that ensures proper blood flow in the heart. MR is a clinical condition in which the mitral valve flaps do not close properly resulting in backward flow of the blood into the heart. While aortic valve replacement has been successful, the procedure for mitral valve replacement remains controversial, primarily due to the complexities arising due to the intricate anatomy of the mitral valve and its association with the adjacent structures.

A team of US-based biomedical scientists have developed a high accuracy beating heart simulator capable of mimicking mitral valve physiology designed for assessing interventions for repair or replacement. They have used actual heart tissue in combination with soft robotic technology to demonstrate the natural movement and processes of the healthy as well as dysfunctional heart with damaged mitral valve.

Several advantageous features of this biorobotic heart has been noted by the authors of the study:

Direct visualization of the intracardiac motion.
Real-time measurement of hemodynamic parameters
Precise control over cardiac movement
Longer shelf-life than explanted tissue

The model could potentially substitute the time-consuming, expensive and controversial animal-testing modules. As such, this would be highly beneficial for surgeons, medical device designers, regulatory authorities, pre-procedure planning and intervention and patients through personalized and fast approval of devices. Through this innovative device, the scientists believe it will expedite the translational cardiac research and training pertaining to the development of procedures and interventional devices for mitral valve.

Reference:

Park, C., Singh, M., Saeed, M. Y., Nguyen, C. T., & Roche, E. T. (2024). Biorobotic hybrid heart as a benchtop cardiac mitral valve simulator. Device, 2(1).

Orangutan Learns to Apply Topical Medicine: First Systematic Documentation of Active Wound Treatment in Great Apes

Development of a Highly Efficient Cancer Treatment Strategy using the Vibrionic-Driven Action of Synthetic Aminocyanines

Heavy Contamination of Micro-Nano Plastics in Drinking Water Bottles

New Class of Antibiotics with a Novel Mode of Inhibition against World Health Organization’s Critical Listed Bacteria, Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii