Titanium Heart
Researchers from the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have created an artificial heart that can give hope for recovery to patients with severe heart failure.
It is symbolic that the first artificial heart valve was developed and implanted in this institution. And now, more than half a century later, scientists have reported the invention of an artificial heart, which surpasses all existing developments in its characteristics.
Artificial heart. Source: OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff.
An artificial heart is suitable for implantation on a permanent basis for adults and children over 10 years old. In conditions of acute shortage of natural organs for transplantation, as well as still unresolved ethical issues related to donation, an artificial heart can become a panacea for patients with heart failure.
Currently, only one model of an artificial heart is approved in the USA, but it is suitable for transplantation for a while – as a short-term measure to maintain the patient's life while he is waiting for a suitable donor heart.
The simple design of the new invention allows us to consider it as a permanent replacement for the heart. It consists of a titanium tube with a hollow rod inside and a titanium plug. The movement of this rod provides a pumping function and pushes blood first to the lungs (through a small circle of blood circulation), and then to all organs and tissues of the body.
Thus, the left and right ventricles of the human heart are replaced by a single titanium tube. This simplification of the design is an intentional decision of the creators. As you know, the human heart makes an average of 14 million beats per year. In order for the device replacing it to be able to withstand such a load and not fail, it must have the simplest possible structure, and not be overloaded with parts that can break.
The uniqueness of the artificial heart is also that, unlike its "brothers", it creates a blood flow that simulates a pulse. The presence of such a pulsating blood flow minimizes damage to the shaped elements, reduces the risk of thrombosis, and also eliminates the development of complications characteristic of devices with continuous flow – hemorrhagic stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding.
The new artificial heart is controlled by a combined controller and is powered by a rechargeable battery that easily fits in a pocket, it can also be carried on a belt or in a backpack. Over time, it is planned to improve the battery and make it suitable for implantation under the skin.
The described novelty is the third device created by this group of scientists. The first heart was presented in 2014, it demonstrated the basic structure of the structure. The second heart was shown in August 2017, it was a smaller version of the current model and was created for testing on sheep. These studies have not yet been conducted, they are in the planning stage.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on OHSU materials: OHSU device designed to permanently replace failing human hearts.