High-tech “Replacement parts” Offer Hope to Millions

(EPFL, September 11, 2025)

Groundbreaking discoveries from EPFL, University Hospital of Zurich, and the University of Bern are setting new standards in prosthetics and heart treatment. Prof. Dr. Silvestro Micera and Prof. Dr. Nicole Lindenblatt lead teams that have introduced a sensory feedback system for prosthetic hands, a supportive ring-shaped device for the heart, and innovative hydrogels for cartilage repair, all aiming to improve life quality for those with physical impairments. These advancements include noninvasive thermal electrodes that allow amputees to feel warmth, a ring-shaped device enhancing heart function through suction, and hydrogels that solidify inside the body to mend cartilage. These technologies not only offer hope for returning normalcy to the lives of those with limb loss but also mark a significant step forward in organ support and tissue repair, showcasing a collaborative triumph in mimicking natural body functions and potentially transforming heart failure treatments and physical rehabilitation.