Light-Activated Shunt Promises Fewer Surgeries for Infants with Heart Defects

New technology could eliminate the need for multiple open-heart surgeries in growing children by using blue light to expand shunts.

Researchers at Drexel University have developed a shunt that expands when exposed to blue light, potentially reducing the number of surgeries needed for infants with heart defects.
The shunt's inner diameter can be increased from 3.5 to 5 millimeters, accommodating the child's growth without additional surgeries.
The technology uses a fiber-optic catheter to activate the light-sensitive hydrogel inside the shunt, avoiding the need for open-chest surgery.
Initial lab tests show promise, with plans to move on to tests in artificial circulatory systems and eventually animal models.
This innovation could also be applied to other pediatric surgeries where growth needs to be considered.