Custom, 3D-printed heart replicas look and pump just like the real thing: The soft robotic models are patient-specific and could help clinicians zero in on the best implant for an individual.

Custom, 3D-printed heart replicas look and pump just like the real thing

MIT engineers developed a procedure to 3D print a soft and flexible replica of a patient’s heart. These models could help doctors tailor treatments, such as aortic valves, to an individual patient.

Custom, 3D-printed heart replicas look and pump just like the real thing: The soft robotic models are patient-specific and could help clinicians zero in on the best implant for an individual.

Engineers developed a procedure to 3D print a soft and flexible replica of a patient's heart. These models could help doctors tailor treatments, such as aortic valves, to an individual patient.

Custom, 3D-printed heart replicas look and pump just like the real thing

No two hearts beat alike. The size and shape of the the heart can vary from one person to the next. These differences can be particularly pronounced for people living with heart disease, as their hearts and major vessels work harder to overcome any compromised function.

Custom, 3D-printed heart replicas look and pump just like the real thing

No two hearts beat alike. The size and shape of the the heart can vary from one person to the next. These differences can be particularly pronounced for people living with heart disease, as their hearts and major vessels work harder to overcome any compromised function.