Currently, pumps are made of tough material, and the blood has to run through them, increasing infection risk. But this new device developed by Boston Children's Hospital lightly squeezes the heart to help it keep pumping blood. It could prevent lopsided pumping that causes the other half of the heart to fail. It could also allow patients to forego debilitating post-surgery drugs. The device proved successful on pigs (pictured), and researchers believe it can work for humans.
Soft robotic sleeve hugs the heart to keep it beating - and could save patients from a lifetime on post-surgery drugs
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