Biorobotic hybrid heart as a benchtop cardiac mitral valve simulator

Abstract

In this work, we developed a high-fidelity beating heart simulator that provides accurate mitral valve pathophysiology. The benchtop platform is based on a biorobotic hybrid heart that combines preserved intracardiac tissue with soft robotic cardiac muscle providing dynamic left ventricular motion and precise anatomical features designed for testing intracardiac devices, particularly for mitral valve repair. The heart model is integrated into a mock circulatory loop, and the active myocardium drives fluid circulation producing physiological hemodynamics without an external pulsatile pump. Using biomimetic soft robotic technology, the heart can replicate both ventricular and septal wall motion, as well as intraventricular pressure-volume relationships. This enables the system to recreate the natural motion and function of the mitral valve, which allows us to demonstrate various surgical and interventional techniques. The biorobotic cardiovascular simulator allows for real-time hemodynamic data collection, direct visualization of the intracardiac procedure, and compatibility with clinical imaging modalities.