Biofabrication/Mechanical

Artificial heart

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

↑ "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

[1] "World's smallest artificial heart implanted in Italian baby". AFP. May 2012.}

[2] Benhamou (December 2013), Patient 'progressing' after first artificial heart implant in France, AFP

[3] "The first biological heart valve implanted into a beating heart". Medical University of Vienna search and more info. December 2013.

[4] Researchers study new heart valve that doesn't require open-heart surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, October 2013

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