Publication
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are vital for patients with severe heart failure but often face limitations in energy efficiency and adaptability. To address these challenges, the dielectric elastomer-based electropneumatic device (DE-EPD) is introduced, a novel cardiac assist device utilizing dielectric elastomers (DEAs) for soft, pulsatile motion. The DE-EPD incorporates a tubular multilayer DEA within a vacuum chamber, optimized with axial prestretch and radial biasing to improve performance while minimizing energy consumption. With a weight of less than 200 g and an energy consumption of only 1.6 W, the DE-EPD achieves a flow rate of 6.8 L min−1, equal to a head pressure of 85 mmHg at 5 Hz, effectively mimicking physiological heart dynamics. Its lightweight and portable design offers significant advantages over conventional motor- and pneumatic-driven VADs. The DE-EPD sets a new standard for the next generation of VADs, offering a sophisticated and effective alternative in heart failure management.