The Atripump is a motorless, volume displacement pump based on artificial muscle technology that could reproduce the pump function of normal atrium. It could help prevent blood clots due to blood stagnation and eventually avoid anticoagulation therapy in atrial fibrillation (AF). An animal study has been designed to assess mechanical effects of this pump on fibrillating atrium. The Atripump is a dome shaped silicone coated nitinol actuator. A pacemaker like control unit drives the actuator. In five adult sheep, the right atrium (RA) was exposed and dome sutured onto the epicardium. Atrial fibrillation was induced using rapid epicardial pacing (600 beats/min). Ejection fraction of the RA was obtained with intracardiac ultrasound in baseline, AF and Atripump assisted AF conditions. The dome's contraction rate was 60/min with power supply of 12V, 400 mA for 200 ms and ran for 2 hours in total. Mean temperature on the RA was 39+/-1.5 degrees C. Right atrium ejection fraction was 31% in baseline conditions, 5% and 20% in AF and assisted AF, respectively. In two animals a thrombus appeared in the right appendix and washed out once the pump was turned on. The Atripump washes blood out the RA acting as an anticoagulant device. Possible clinical implications in patients with chronic AF are prevention of embolism of cardiac origin and avoidance of hemorrhagic complication due to chronic anticoagulation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MAT.0b013e31818f951a | DOI Listing |
Int J Mol Sci
January 2025
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy.
Pompe disease is a neuromuscular disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (), which leads to lysosomal glycogen accumulation and progressive development of muscle weakness. Two distinct isoforms have been identified. In the infantile form, the weakness is often severe and leads to motor difficulties from the first few months of life.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
December 2024
Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus 69040-000, Brazil.
Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is characterized by the persistence of one or more symptoms after the acute phase, leading to physical disabilities. This study aims to investigate whether the functional capacity and respiratory function 120 days post-COVID-19 differed according to the level of respiratory support needed during hospitalization in acute COVID-19 in the pre-vaccine rollout period. We followed up with 118 COVID-19 hospitalized patients in the acute phase until 120 days post-acute disease, with patients split into a Non-Invasive Oxygen Therapy Group (OTG, n = 72), Invasive Mechanical Ventilation Group (IMV, n = 12), and Room Air Group (RAG, n = 34), assessing the body composition, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, functional capacity, and muscle strength at the follow-up visit.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
December 2024
Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport and Porto Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal.
We have examined the impact of CrossFit workout sessions on physical fitness, comparing the obtained outcomes with the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. In addition, we provide suggestions to improve training monitoring, as well as practical applications for researchers, coaches and practitioners. CrossFit imposes high cardiorespiratory and metabolic demands, promoting improvements in circulatory capacity, oxidative metabolism and muscular endurance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomimetics (Basel)
January 2025
Group of Biomechatronics, Fachgebiet Biomechatronik, Technische Universität Ilmenau, D-98693 Ilmenau, Germany.
Anguilliform locomotion, an efficient aquatic locomotion mode where the whole body is engaged in fluid-body interaction, contains sophisticated physics. We hypothesized that data-driven modeling techniques may extract models or patterns of the swimmers' dynamics without implicitly measuring the hydrodynamic variables. This work proposes empirical kinematic control and data-driven modeling of a soft swimming robot.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomimetics (Basel)
January 2025
School of Engineering, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NZ, UK.
Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) are flexible actuators that can be contracted or expanded by applying air pressure. They are used in robotics, prosthetics, and other applications requiring flexible and compliant actuation. PAMs are basically designed to mimic the function of biological muscles, providing a high force-to-weight ratio and smooth, lifelike movement.
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