Researchers have developed a customizable soft robot that fits around a heart and helps it beat, potentially opening new treatment options for people suffering from heart failure. The soft robotic sleeve twists and compresses in synch with a beating heart, augmenting cardiovascular functions weakened by heart failure. Unlike currently available devices that assist heart function, the soft robotic sleeve does not directly contact blood, reducing the risk of clotting. The device could be used until a patient can receive a transplant, or to aid in cardiac rehabilitation and recovery.
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