In a medical breakthrough, a 40-year-old Australian man became the first person to walk out of a hospital with a nearly indestructible titanium heart beating in his chest.
How It Worked
The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (about the size of a fist) used a levitating propeller to pump blood for 105 days
Kept the patient alive until a human donor heart became available on March 6
Without this metal heart, doctors say his failing heart wouldn't have lasted long enough for a transplant
A Life-Changing Difference
Before the implant:
☑ Could barely walk 10-15 meters without gasping for air
After recovery with his new donor heart:
☑ Now doing activities he hasn't managed for years
"This gave me goosebumps—it's a complete game-changer," said lead surgeon Dr. Paul Jansz from Sydney's St. Vincent's Hospital.
25 Years in the Making
Created by BiVACOR, a medical device company
First successfully tested in a 58-year-old U.S. patient for 8 days in 2023
This 6th attempt marks its longest successful use yet
Why This Matters
❤️ Fewer than 6,000 heart transplants occur globally each year
❤️ Millions die waiting for donors
❤️ Current artificial hearts are temporary fixes—this one could be permanent
Revolutionary Design
✔ One moving part: A magnetically levitating rotor (no friction damage)
✔ Virtually unbreakable: Titanium construction resists wear
✔ Compact size: Fits women and children (as small as age 12)
✔ Lab-tested: Has run continuously for 4+ years in trials
What's Next?
4 more devices available for Australian trials in 2024
Could become standard treatment within a decade
"This paves the way for countless more patients," said inventor Daniel Timms, who began developing it after his father's 2001 heart attack
The Bottom Line: While not yet commercially available, this titanium heart offers new hope for those racing against time for transplants. As trials continue, we may be witnessing the future of cardiac care.
Ref: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mpXvW2Tj64
No comments:
Post a Comment