Congenital heart defects are a major cause for infant mortality. Infants suffering from such a heart defect require surgery within the first few weeks of their lives. During heart surgery a cardiopulmonary bypass has to be used to replace the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery. These heart-lung machines are used without issue in adult patients, however, in infants such a device can cause damage to the brain. The exact dynamics causing such damage are currently unknown, resulting in an inability to adjust machine parameters to protect the infant's brain. An MRI scan could be used to observe the perfusion during surgery and analyze the influence of different surgery strategies and machine parameters. To operate the heart-lung machine in close proximity to the MRI scanner it is essential to ensure safety for the patient by eliminating interactions of the device with the magnetic field as well as to ensure uninhibited image generation due to disturbances caused by the heart-lung machine. Many approaches exist for a heart-lung machine, however, none of them are inherently MRI conditional, meaning they are not to be used in close proximity of the MRI scanner. Hence, the goal of this project is to develop a MRI conditional heart lung machine. Our group has experience with and access to advanced manufacturing techniques such as silicone additive manufacturing which help us to achieve this ambitious goal.
Congenital heart defects are a major cause for infant mortality. Infants suffering from such a heart defect require surgery within the first few weeks of their lives. During heart surgery a cardiopulmonary bypass has to be used to replace the function of the heart and lungs during the surgery. These heart-lung machines are used without issue in adult patients, however, in infants such a device can cause damage to the brain. The exact dynamics causing such damage are currently unknown, resulting in an inability to adjust machine parameters to protect the infant's brain. An MRI scan could be used to observe the perfusion during surgery and analyze the influence of different surgery strategies and machine parameters. To operate the heart-lung machine in close proximity to the MRI scanner it is essential to ensure safety for the patient by eliminating interactions of the device with the magnetic field as well as to ensure uninhibited image generation due to disturbances caused by the heart-lung machine. Many approaches exist for a heart-lung machine, however, none of them are inherently MRI conditional, meaning they are not to be used in close proximity of the MRI scanner. Hence, the goal of this project is to develop a MRI conditional heart lung machine. Our group has experience with and access to advanced manufacturing techniques such as silicone additive manufacturing which help us to achieve this ambitious goal.
- Analysis of requirements
- Development of the soft-robotic bloodpump
- Testing and evaluation
- Analysis of requirements - Development of the soft-robotic bloodpump - Testing and evaluation
- Creative and hands-on skills - Highly motivated and independent - Experienced in CAD - Knowledge in soft-robotics and materials - Open to learn new skills
The chair of Product Development and Engineering Design at the ETH Zurich considers itself a center for system-oriented product development and innovation. Our aspiration consists on the one hand of the advancement and investigation of methods and processes of product development and on the other hand of the development of new technical systems. The purpose of our daily work is to contribute to the innovative ability and competitiveness of Switzerland.
The chair of Product Development and Engineering Design at the ETH Zurich considers itself a center for system-oriented product development and innovation. Our aspiration consists on the one hand of the advancement and investigation of methods and processes of product development and on the other hand of the development of new technical systems. The purpose of our daily work is to contribute to the innovative ability and competitiveness of Switzerland.