Australian Researchers Develop Soft Robotic Heart to Advance Cardiac Disease Research and Medical Device Testing

Sydney, Australia — Researchers in Australia have developed an innovative soft robotic human heart model capable of realistically replicating the structure and motion of the human heart, offering a promising new platform for studying cardiovascular diseases, testing medical devices, and advancing personalized cardiac care.

According to a statement from UNSW Sydney, the research team created a functional model of the left ventricle that incorporates key anatomical components, including an artificial mitral valve, papillary muscles, and chordae tendineae structures that play a critical role in normal heart function and are commonly affected by cardiovascular disease.

The soft robotic heart uses artificial muscles combined with flexible silicone membranes to reproduce the heart's natural pumping, twisting, and contraction movements with remarkable realism.

The findings, published in Nature Communications and Advanced Science, demonstrate that the model can accurately simulate conditions such as mitral valve regurgitation, in which blood flows backward through a leaking heart valve. This condition can significantly increase the risk of heart failure and other life-threatening cardiovascular complications.

Researchers evaluated the artificial heart using ultrasound imaging alongside blood pressure and flow measurements. The results showed that the device closely replicates the physiological performance of a human heart, making it a valuable tool for cardiovascular research and clinical innovation.

Beyond improving the understanding of heart disease mechanisms, the researchers believe the soft robotic platform could significantly reduce reliance on animal testing while providing a more realistic environment for evaluating new cardiac devices and treatment strategies.

The technology also opens new opportunities for personalized medicine, allowing clinicians to create patient-specific heart models that could assist in planning complex procedures and optimizing treatment before surgery, potentially improving clinical outcomes and patient safety.

As cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, innovations such as soft robotic heart models are expected to play an increasingly important role in accelerating medical research, supporting device development, and advancing precision cardiovascular care.

Source : Xinhua Thai News