For those with weakened hearts or awaiting heart transplants, cardiac support devices are often lifesavers. However, implantation of heart assist pumps and valves requires highly invasive procedures, and their use can result in hemolysis – destruction of red blood cells.

The cardiac support device is a small ring placed on the aorta. Image source: EPFL/A. Herzog Technology from École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland was developed to resolve these issues. Because it is positioned around the aorta, the dielectric electro-active polymer (DEAP) device is less invasive than traditional cardiac assists. Three polymer rings with special electrical properties dilate and contract as a current is applied and turned off. Each ring has two electrodes that are drawn together by an electrostatic force whenever the electric field is activated. As each ring contracts in sequence, the resulting peristaltic motion helps the heart pump and transport blood (see video).

The device is powered by magnetic induction, meaning that DEAP is wireless. And because no direct contact with blood is involved, the risk of excessive hemolysis is all but eliminated. The researchers plan to improve the prototype’s performance before testing it on a liquid with similar fluidic properties to those of the blood, such as glycerol.