A Soft Robotic Total Artificial Hybrid Heart

Arfaee et al. present the first proof of concept of a soft robotic total artificial hybrid heart (Hybrid Heart) designed to overcome the limitations of current total artificial hearts (TAHs). This device integrates soft pneumatic actuation with a tissue-engineerable, heparin-functionalized supramolecular inner lining, aiming to improve biocompatibility and hemocompatibility while mimicking physiological pulsatile flow. In vitro, the Hybrid Heart achieved a cardiac output of 5.7 L/min with preload sensitivity and laminar flow patterns. Acute goat implantation demonstrated full cardiac support for 50 minutes, with a mean aortic pressure of 49 mmHg and a stroke volume of approximately 35 mL. Wire-based contraction mechanics allow ventricular output balancing, and a wireless transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) concept was explored to eliminate percutaneous drivelines. While currently limited to short-term function and pneumatic actuation, this platform represents a new generation of biomimetic TAHs that could ultimately serve as destination therapy for end-stage heart failure.