Overview
A new pump has been developed to accurately replicate human heartbeat blood flow waveforms within lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems. This development addresses a long-standing limitation in microphysiological systems (MPS), which are artificial microscopic environments designed to model human organs and blood vessels using human cells.
Research Context
For over 25 years, lab-on-a-chip technology has facilitated the modeling of human organs and blood vessels through the use of human cells in artificial microscopic environments. These microphysiological systems are designed to replicate human cells and mimic organs or entire organ systems across various conditions. MPS have become instrumental in diverse studies, ranging from heart disease investigations to assessing the efficacy of new drugs. However, a significant constraint in their utility has been the inability to precisely reproduce the blood flow waveforms generated by the human heart.
The described pump was inspired by an accordionist, suggesting a mechanical design principle drawn from the expansion and contraction of an accordion. The specific mechanisms of this inspiration are not detailed in the source material beyond this reference.