Hridayantra: A Heartbeat of Hope – Affordable & Lifesaving Innovation

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it." – Alan Kay

Can end – stage heart failure be reversed?

In modern medical science, few innovative concepts personify this spirit and one such example is Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVADs), alternatively referred to as "Ärtificial Heart".

Congestive heart failure impacts more than 26 million patients globally, and India loses 50000 cardiac patients annually, compared to just 10-15 heart transplants annually. Sensing the gravity of the situation and widespread shortage of donor organs, IIT Kanpur's School of Medical Research and Technology (SMRT) initiated 'Hridayantra' in January 2022, which can potentially transform cardiac care.

The Genesis of 'Hridayantra'

The aim of this challenge – oriented programme is to come up with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) designed to pump life blood through patients with end – stage heart disease. Although obtaining the approval from regulatory for LVAD can be time consuming, it can reverse end-stage heart disease in patients. The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration with engineers, physicians, and industry specialists from the top hospitals in the nation.

Progress and Milestones

By December 2022, the IIT-K team had created a prototype of the artificial heart. The device, made of titanium, is made to replicate the natural pumping function of the heart so that the blood flows with maximum efficiency without destroying blood cells or leading to clotting. The animal trials for the device are to begin in March 2025, with hopes for human trials soon after, depending on the results.

Biocompatibility and Durability: Developing a machine that is not only compatible with human tissues but also durable enough to function over extended time periods required exhaustive research in materials and biomechanics.

Some of the technological challenges that confronted Dr. Bandopadhyay and his team at the R&D stage are:

• 1st Challenge – Outclass Mechanical Pump Limitations: High noise, heat production and malfunction are likely outcomes, if mechanical pumps are used. The goal was to remove noise in order not to cause discomfort to the patient, generate no heat to avoid damaging the tissues, and work consistently for over 10-15 years without interruption. To achieve this, magnetic levitation train technology of Japan was implemented, and electromagnets were employed to suspend the pump to prevent the likelihood of heat, noise, etc.

  
  

• 2nd Challenge – Ensure Functional Stability: The second challenge was not to sacrifice functional efficiency of the device within the human body. The pump employed for LVADs pumps human blood, so damage to blood cells for RBCs or platelets by mechanical action must be eliminated. This resulted in high-quality, precision – made Maglev pump developed by IIT-K team, which is India's first LVAD waiting for animal trial.

  
  

• 3rd Challenge – Powering LVAD: The third challenge to scientists was how to power the LVAD pump without battery replacement since device implant can only be performed once without going beyond any complications in the future. Therefore, like other LVADs in world markets, an external battery pouch that can energize the device pump is the most dependable solution available. While inconvenient, it guarantees the pump can be powered continually without danger of internal battery failure or being disconnected. 

• Protecting Blood Cells – Preventing damage to RBCs and platelets with a precision.

• Bridging Medicine & Engineering – A cross-disciplinary team ensured smooth collaboration.

• Affordability – Aiming for 1/10th the cost of existing LVADs.

• Regulatory Hurdles – Meeting strict safety standards, a time-consuming but crucial step.

  
  

Future Aspirations

Hridayantra’s goal is to be an affordable, reliable solution for cardiac patients at end-stage heart failure, offering new chance at life, and not depend on donor organ transplant.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration and harbouring indigenous talent, IIT Kanpur aims to leverage India as frontrunner of medical device innovations, aligning with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

‘Hridayantra’, besides technological endeavour, is also a beacon of hope for millions, symbolizing the confluence of innovation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of better healthcare solutions.

It’s an inspiring mix of innovation, teamwork, and determination to create life-saving technology!

References:

1.     Joshi, M., & Fredrick, O. (2024, October 9). Matters of India’s first ‘Artificial heart’: As LVAD set for animal trials in March 2025, IIT-K expert Reco. News18. https://www.news18.com/india/matters-of-indias-first-artificial-heart-as-lvad-set-for-animal-trials-in-march-2025-iit-k-expert-recounts-journey-9080156.html

2.     Express Healthcare. (2022, January 7). IIT Kanpur launches Hridyantra, a grand challenge to develop the world’s most advanced artificial heart. Express Healthcare. https://www.expresshealthcare.in/news/iit-kanpur-launches-hridyantra-a-grand-challenge-to-develop-the-worlds-most-advanced-artificial-heart/432858/

3.     Basu, M., & Basu, M. (2023, January 20). At IIT Kanpur, engineers are working on an artificial heart that’s affordable & built to last. ThePrint. https://theprint.in/science/at-iit-kanpur-engineers-are-working-on-an-artificial-heart-thats-affordable-built-to-last/1323655/

4.         Mullick, R. (2022, January 5). IIT-Kanpur launches project to develop advanced artificial heart. Hindustan Times. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/iitkanpur-launches-project-to-develop-advanced-artificial-heart-101641411084152.html

5.     Correspondent, B. (2022, January 6). IIT Kanpur’s Hridyantra: Grand challenge to develop world’s most advanced Artificial Heart - BioVoiceNews. BioVoiceNews. https://biovoicenews.com/iit-kanpurs-hridyantra-grand-challenge-to-develop-worlds-most-advanced-artificial-heart/

6.    Khushbu Kirti, & Khushbu Kirti. (2022, December 27). IIT Kanpur’s scientists & cardiologists from India develop an advanced artificial heart. Knocksense. https://www.knocksense.com/kanpur/iit-kanpurs-scientists-cardiologists-from-india-develop-an-advanced-artificial-heart