Artificial muscle: the human chimera is the future.

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Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_AEA5F4488354
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Review (review): journal as complete as possible of one specific subject, written based on exhaustive analyses from published work.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Artificial muscle: the human chimera is the future.
Journal
Swiss Medical Weekly
Author(s)
Tozzi P.
ISSN
1424-3997 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0036-7672
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2011
Volume
141
Pages
w13311
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Review
Abstract
Severe heart failure and cerebral stroke are broadly associated with the impairment of muscular function that conventional treatments struggle to restore. New technologies enable the construction of "smart" materials that could be of great help in treating diseases where the main problem is muscle weakness. These materials "behave" similarly to biological systems, because the material directly converts energy, for example electrical energy into movement. The extension and contraction occur silently like in natural muscles. The real challenge is to transfer this amazing technology into devices that restore or replace the mechanical function of failing muscle. Cardiac assist devices based on artificial muscle technology could envelope a weak heart and temporarily improve its systolic function, or, if placed on top of the atrium, restore the atrial kick in chronic atrial fibrillation. Artificial sphincters could be used to treat urinary incontinence after prostatectomy or faecal incontinence associated with stomas. Artificial muscles can restore the ability of patients with facial paralysis due to stroke or nerve injury to blink. Smart materials could be used to construct an artificial oesophagus including peristaltic movement and lower oesophageal sphincter function to replace the diseased oesophagus thereby avoiding the need for laparotomy to mobilise stomach or intestine. In conclusion, in the near future, smart devices will integrate with the human body to fill functional gaps due to organ failure, and so create a human chimera.
Keywords
Animals, Artificial Organs, Biomimetics, Heart Failure/therapy, Heart-Assist Devices, Humans, Muscle Weakness/therapy, Muscles, Polymers, Urinary Sphincter, Artificial
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
20/09/2012 21:23
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:18
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