NSW Health spotlights innovative robotic heart device research
POSTED: 03 Jun, 2026
Chief Investigator Dr Javad Foroughi has been featured by the NSW Office for Health and Medical Research (OHMR) for his work developing a next-generation soft robotic heart device that could improve treatment options for people living with heart failure.
The innovative device is designed to wrap around the heart and mimic the natural squeezing and twisting motion of cardiac muscle, helping the heart pump blood more effectively. Unlike conventional ventricular assist devices, the soft robotic sleeve sits outside the heart and does not come into direct contact with blood, potentially reducing complications associated with clotting, bleeding and infection.
The project is supported through a NSW Health Cardiovascular Collaborative Grant and builds on Dr Foroughi’s long-standing research into soft robotics, advanced materials and biomedical devices. The funding will help accelerate development of the technology and support its progression towards future clinical trials.
Heart failure affects an estimated 64 million people worldwide, and current treatment options remain limited for many patients. The soft robotic sleeve aims to provide mechanical support to the heart while offering a safer and more adaptable alternative to existing technologies.
This work exemplifies the ARC Research Hub for Connected Sensors for Health’s commitment to translating cutting-edge engineering research into technologies that improve health outcomes and quality of life. By combining expertise in soft robotics, sensing technologies, advanced manufacturing and healthcare innovation, Hub researchers are helping shape the future of patient-centred medical devices.