Heart pump with air propulsion

A tiny heart catheter pump which supports the human heart in critical conditions while pumping has been developed at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna). Vienna (TU). The pump may not be larger than five millimetres and no longer than 45 millimetres at a ratio of 1:1. It reaches the heart via a catheter and, placed in between the heart valves, helps to pump blood from the heart. The pump drive which is operated pneumatically is particularly innovative. Construction scientists at the TU Vienna have produced a prototype of a ratio of 2:1 commissioned by heart surgeon and university professor Werner Mohl. "The aim was to avoid the development of heat which is caused by heart pumps that are driven by an electric motor.