Robots help treat heart disease

The robot is only a few centimeters long
(Photo ri.cmu.edu)

US scientists have designed a robotic worm that can crawl across the surface of the heart to heal. Called the HeartLander , this tiny robot is only a few inches long, can crawl up to 18 cm / min, controlled by pulling and pulling strings on the outside of the body.

HeartLander was designed by scientists at the Pittsburgh Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania. It has two legs, like a lizard, which pass through the heart after being inserted into the chest by a tiny surgical opening.

Dr Cameron Riviere, head of the study, said the use of HeartLander could allow heart surgery without stopping the heart, reducing the risk of developing a disease related to the operation. artificial heart. He added that without stopping the heart, it would be beneficial for patients to transplant the device directly into the heart instead of passing it through the lungs.

"That means the patient does not need a full anesthetic, and can go home for the day," said Riviere . The research team also hopes to add a radio frequency catheter to the robot to treat uneven heart rhythms by destroying tissue damage. Adding a camera to the robot, instead of relying on magnetic tracking on the skin, will help surgeons see the robot on the surface of the heart.

Dr. Riviere said HeartLander could be marketed for heart surgery within the next three to four years.

Robot HeartLander (Photo ri.cmu.edu)

Q.HUANG