Artificial muscles

A ring around the aorta that dilates and contracts like a steady heartbeat: this is the principle behind Yves Perriard’s innovative approach to helping patients with cardiac insufficiency. The microengineer at the Center for Artificial Muscles at ETH Lausanne’s Neuchâtel campus works in partnership with renowned cardiac specialists – and his project has already made tremendous progress.

Some two hundred thousand people in Switzerland suffer from cardiac insufficiency. Medication is generally prescribed to treat the disease, but unpleasant side effects are common. In severe cases of heart failure, ventricular pumps are inserted to help the weakened organ, or a new heart is implanted. At the Center for Artificial Muscles at ETH Lausanne’s Neuchâtel campus, researchers are seeking a less invasive treatment. In 2018, the Werner Siemens Foundation began funding the Center, which is led by microengineer Yves Perriard, who works closely with renowned doctors such as cardiac surgeon Thierry Carrel.

Their idea is to place a ring made of silicon rubber around the aorta to act like an artificial muscle. The ring is powered by an external battery worn by the patient. In rhythmic intervals, the ring dilates to expand the artery and help the heart pump blood through the body. One of the great advantages of the artificial muscle is that it never comes into contact with the blood, as it’s placed on the outside wall of the aorta. This naturally prevents blood clots from forming, so patients have no need to take blood thinners.

Just a few years in, the project has already progressed in leaps and bounds. This past year, surgeons demonstrated that the technology works by successfully implanting the artificial muscle in the heart of a pig. The team are also working on other kinds of artificial muscles, for instance urethral sphincters and facial muscles.