Mechanical actuation of the heart using new composite materials

Heart failure is a condition, where the heart loses its contractile properties or structural characteristics to sustain adequate cardiac output. It is prevalent in approximately 2% of the global population with a one-year mortality rate of 15-30% within different age groups and regions. Among heart failures, left ventricular failure is the fundamental cause of the condition, where a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) may be placed to support the pumping mechanism of the left ventricle to ensure adequate blood circulation from the left ventricle to the aorta. Recent clinical data have shown that an LVAD can be used as a therapeutic device to induce myocardial recovery. However, the apex of the heart has to be removed during LVAD implantation, which influences the structural integrity of the heart and could complicate the healing process of the patient after the explanation operation. This raises a need for the development of a non-destructive system for mechanical actuation in which the need for a secondary surgery could be eliminated with the use of biodegradable materials. The goal of this project is to design and develop a biodegradable mechanical actuator based on new biodegradable materials. This project will be done in collaboration with Leiden University Medical Center.

Assignment

Duration: 9 or 12 months.

Where: ECTM group, BioMEMS laboratory

Summary:

• Design of a mechanical actuator using
• magnetic biodegradable materials
• Fabricate the mechanical actuator
• Characterization of the actuator

Requirements

Who:

• Creative MSc students, Background in microelectronics, material science or biomedical engineering
• Has interests in actuators, biology and materials
• Able to work independently
• Fluent in English

Contact

Last modified: 2025-02-25