ID :
51538
Fri, 03/20/2009 - 16:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/51538
The shortlink copeid
SCIENTISTS DESIGN ARTIFICIAL HEART BASED ON ROACHES
By P. Vijian
NEW DELHI, March 20 (Bernama) -- The detestable cockroach is at the heart of a successful medical research by Indian scientists.
Based on the beetle-like insect's unique breathing system, the scientists
have devised a more resilient and affordable artificial heart for implantation
in humans.
After observing the features of the cockroach's heart, a 10-member team at
the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in West Bengal, spent nearly
three years to develop the artificial heart.
"A cockroach's heart has 13 chambers, where fluid is pumped in sequential
method, unlike the human heart which functions with a one-chamber system.
"Our model is based on the cockroach system, where we build up the pressure
in smaller steps.
"So, even if one chamber fails, a person can still be alive. This model does
not stress the other components (pumping elements) and there is less stress on
the blood cells.
"A cockroach's 13-chambered heart enables the hardy insect to survive even
if one chamber dysfunctions, but that is not the case in human beings," team
leader Prof Sujoy Guha told Bernama in an interview.
The Indian version is considered an advanced model as compared to the
existing commercial types, where blood-pumping pressure depends on a single
chamber. When that chamber fails, it could be fatal for patients.
Experts from a diverse field -- medical engineers, biologists and material
scientists -- were engaged in developing the mechanical device, a national
collaborative porgramme involving various Indian institutes.
"It is advancement but a complex affair. It will take another three years to
market the product. (The) System is under trial in animals now and it will take
another year to be tested on humans," said Guha, who is from the School of
Medical Science Technology in IIT Kharagpur.
The Total Artificial Heart (TAH) is estimated to cost only RM7,700 (100,000
Indian rupees), about 30 times cheaper than those available in the market now,
which would be a huge relief for heart patients.
-- BERNAMA
NEW DELHI, March 20 (Bernama) -- The detestable cockroach is at the heart of a successful medical research by Indian scientists.
Based on the beetle-like insect's unique breathing system, the scientists
have devised a more resilient and affordable artificial heart for implantation
in humans.
After observing the features of the cockroach's heart, a 10-member team at
the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur in West Bengal, spent nearly
three years to develop the artificial heart.
"A cockroach's heart has 13 chambers, where fluid is pumped in sequential
method, unlike the human heart which functions with a one-chamber system.
"Our model is based on the cockroach system, where we build up the pressure
in smaller steps.
"So, even if one chamber fails, a person can still be alive. This model does
not stress the other components (pumping elements) and there is less stress on
the blood cells.
"A cockroach's 13-chambered heart enables the hardy insect to survive even
if one chamber dysfunctions, but that is not the case in human beings," team
leader Prof Sujoy Guha told Bernama in an interview.
The Indian version is considered an advanced model as compared to the
existing commercial types, where blood-pumping pressure depends on a single
chamber. When that chamber fails, it could be fatal for patients.
Experts from a diverse field -- medical engineers, biologists and material
scientists -- were engaged in developing the mechanical device, a national
collaborative porgramme involving various Indian institutes.
"It is advancement but a complex affair. It will take another three years to
market the product. (The) System is under trial in animals now and it will take
another year to be tested on humans," said Guha, who is from the School of
Medical Science Technology in IIT Kharagpur.
The Total Artificial Heart (TAH) is estimated to cost only RM7,700 (100,000
Indian rupees), about 30 times cheaper than those available in the market now,
which would be a huge relief for heart patients.
-- BERNAMA
