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A skeletal muscle actuator for an artificial heart
E Sasaki1, H Hirose, S Murakawa
1First Department of Surgery, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
ASAIO Journal (American Society for Artificial Internal Organs : 1992)
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Researchers created an artificial heart actuator using skeletal muscle, demonstrating effective power transmission and sustained pump function in canine models. This innovative system offers a promising approach for cardiac assistance.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Skeletal Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Artificial heart actuators are crucial for treating end-stage heart failure.
- Existing artificial hearts face challenges with biocompatibility and long-term function.
- Skeletal muscle offers a viable biological alternative for mechanical circulatory support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a system utilizing skeletal muscle as an artificial heart actuator.
- To assess the efficiency and durability of muscle-powered pump systems.
- To investigate the feasibility of using latissimus dorsi muscle for cardiac assistance.
Main Methods:
- A system comprising a flexible rod, sheath, crank, and cam was designed to transmit skeletal muscle power.
- The latissimus dorsi muscle was surgically connected to a pusher plate pump in canine models.
- Pump performance was evaluated using a mock circulatory system under controlled preload and afterload conditions.
Main Results:
- The system achieved a pump output of 0.8 to 2.0 L/min at 60 bpm for 200 minutes with continuous muscle stimulation.
- Sustained pump flow (> 0.8 L/min) was maintained for 20 hours with intermittent muscle stimulation.
- The system demonstrated an efficiency of approximately 50% of the available muscle power, with an output of 2.5 mW/gram.
Conclusions:
- Skeletal muscle can be effectively used as an artificial heart actuator, demonstrating reliable power transmission and pump function.
- The developed system offers advantages including minimal surgical invasiveness and preservation of muscle blood flow.
- This approach mitigates risks associated with high intraventricular pressure and optimizes muscle length for enhanced contraction, presenting a promising avenue for cardiac mechanical support.