Biofabrication/Mechanical
Artificial heart
[edit | edit source]Artificial hearts are used as a temporary life support until a real heart becomes available. There have been advances where an artificial organ was small enough to be used for an infant,[1] and a recent development where an artificial heart could last five years.[2]
An aortic valve has been successfully installed inside a patient's functioning heart.[3] There was a promising proposal being researched to allow installation of an aortic valve without the need for open heart surgery.[4]
Technological improvements have been increasing recently, but still further advancements are needed.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "World's smallest artificial heart implanted in Italian baby". AFP. May 2012.}
- ↑ Benhamou (December 2013), Patient 'progressing' after first artificial heart implant in France, AFP
- ↑ "The first biological heart valve implanted into a beating heart". Medical University of Vienna search and more info. December 2013.
- ↑ Researchers study new heart valve that doesn't require open-heart surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, October 2013