San Francisco-based iRhythm Technologies makes a 3-inch alternative to the conventional Holter monitor for diagnosing irregular heart rhythm. The device can be worn for up to 14 days to collect massive amounts of heart rhythm information. At the end of two weeks, iRhythm distills the data into a report for physicians.

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A soft robotic sleeve developed by Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital can encase a diseased heart and gently squeeze to keep it pumping. Made of soft materials including artificial muscles and silicone, the device mimics the natural movements of a heart by compressing, twisting and relaxing. The sleeve has been successfully tested in animals.

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Scientists at the University of Michigan devised a new way to examine the carotid artery and gauge a patient’s risk of a stroke or heart attack. Delivered by a scanning fiber microscope, lasers light up tissue for high-quality imaging to visualize the surface of the carotid artery and catch any plaques.