Air power: A heart catheter pump developed by researchers could help avoid the risk of haemolysis

摘要

DEVELOPERS of a pneumatically operated heart catheter pump claim the device could be used as a safer alternative to the electric heart pump. The device has been created by researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) to temporarily help the human heart pump blood after a heart attack or an operation. The new system is expected to help counter problems caused by the overheating of electric motors that are in common use inside the body. This can result in damage to the blood leading to blockages of the artery that could, in the most severe cases, contribute to organ failure.