The Journal of mHealth Vol 1 Issue 2 (Apr 2014) | Page 29

3-D Printer Creates Transformative Device for Heart Treatment
“Because this is implantable, it will
allow physicians to monitor vital
functions in different organs and
intervene when necessary to provide therapy,” he says. “In the case
of heart rhythm disorders, it could
be used to stimulate cardiac muscle
or the brain, or in renal disorders, it
would monitor ionic concentrations
of calcium, potassium and sodium.”

cells and a hallmark of a heart attack.
Analysis for troponin is standard of
care for patients with suspected heart
attacks due to a test developed by Jack
Ladenson, PhD, the Oree M. Carroll
and Lillian B. Ladenson Professor
of Clinical Chemistry in Pathology
and Immunology and professor of
clinical chemistry in medicine at the
School of Medicine.

Efimov says the membrane could
even hold a sensor to measure troponin, a protein expressed in heart

Ultimately, such devices will be combined with ventricular assist devices,
Efimov says.

“This is just the beginning,” he says.
“Previous devices have shown huge
promise and have saved millions of
lives. Now we can take the next step
and tackle some arrhythmia issues
that we don’t know how to treat.”
The findings were published online
in Nature Communications on February 25, 2014. http://www.nature.com/
ncomms/2014/140225/ncomms4329/
full/ncomms4329.html 

Continued from page 23

FUTURE POTENTIAL

someone turns on a series of lampposts – you see that is
a post – you can discern the shape with the light flashes.”

Second Sight is already working on research and development that will enhance the quality, clarity, and representative ‘sense’ feedback that the prosthetic system can deliver.

“I can look at a car and see it is a car, but usually there
has to be a colour contrast – a white car on a black street.
Then you have got to work out the shape of the object.”

The way the device system has been designed means
that once the implant has been undertaken, the recipient patient can still benefit from software, hardware, and
firmware updates as they become available. This means
that in the case of Keith, his system could be potentially
updated in the future, to allow him to continue to benefit
from technological developments. This could mean better camera technology used in the capture system, thereby
improving image quality. It can also allow for software
and firmware updates that improve the efficiency of the
overall system.
As previously discussed, the system can currently only
deliver limited visual restoration, however, it is predicted
that future versions of the device will be able deliver
higher quality images to the recipient, as well as improved
feedback latency. The company ultimately hopes to be
able to deliver colour images using the system.
This is a rather unique proposition for a surgical procedure, as it is one that potentially adapts to technological
advancement during the lifetime of the patient, thus further improving the relative return on investment.
1. www.2-sight.com
2. British Journal of Opth