Titanium Heart Transplant

[Humboldtgrrl]

https://mymodernmet.com/bivacor-total-artificial-heart/

 

[pellicle]

very interesting

Designed to help those with end-stage heart failure, it effectively pumps blood through the body using a magnetically levitated rotor. The compact design doesn't include valves, which makes it more durable and less prone to wear and tear. The titanium heart is operated by a smart controller that lets it adapt to a patient's activity level, even allowing them to exercise, thanks to its ability to pump up to 3 gallons (12 liters) per minute through the lungs and body.​

 

[carolinemc]

https://mymodernmet.com/bivacor-total-artificial-heart/

Not new, been used for 30 years plus.

 

[Woodcutter]

Not new, been used for 30 years plus.

He/they have indeed been working on this for a while, but just 5 years ago they were in an early animal testing phase. From an engineering standpoint, going to a centrifugal pump concept is a significant departure from the first artificial hearts; as well as how that one in our bodies operates! However, centrifugal pumps are the most common type of pump that we humans use so there's that

https://spectrum.ieee.org/this-maglev-heart-could-keep-cardiac-patients-alive

 

[Timmay]

Super interesting. Sidenote: The patient must carry an 8lb pack that is connected to the artificial heart. The pack contains, among other things, 2 rechargeable batteries providing 5 hours of runtime each.

… although you can also plug directly into an outlet.

Wow.

 

[pellicle]

Wow.

to me, its a form of palliative care ...

 

[Chuck C]

to me, its a form of palliative care ...

It does seem to be a bridge, keeping one alive while waiting for a heart transplant:

"The goal is to allow these people a higher quality of life while they await a heart transplant."

So, it would seem very similar to a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) in this regard.