![expanding a childs heart implant with light](https://utterbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/expanding-a-childs-heart-implant-with-light-640x360.jpg)
Children born with certain heart defects undergo a series of invasive surgeries early in life. The first surgery includes implantation of a shunt to improve blood flow. However, as children grow, the shunt must be replaced to accommodate their changing bodies. Now, researchers report designing a shunt that expands when activated by light. This device could reduce the number of open-chest surgeries these children receive.