First Self-Contained Artificial Heart

castanaveras writes: "The Chicago Tribune has an article saying that a fully self-contained artificial heart (no protruding wires or tubes folks) will be implanted in a human subject no later than June 30. Read more details here"

Lots of money

[sys$manager]

That's over $8300 per day, if it lasts the entire 30 days they hope for.

Pessimists

[scotpurl]

The goal of the experimental trials with the artificial heart, said Lederman, is to "double the life span of these patients," to 60 days.

Not very optimistic, are they?

Scientist also testing temporary artificial 'Lung'

[Cy Guy]

Scientist at the University of Pittsburg are testing a temporary artificial 'lung' [yahoo.com] that consists of a tube connected to an external oxygen tank that is threaded through the leg to the vena cava where a tiny bladder like pump pushes blood across microfiliments that release the oxygen and absorb the CO2.

It is capable of exchanging about half the oxygen you need to survive and can last for two weeks. The team thinks it will be useful for smoke inhalation victims, emphysema patients suffering from secondary lung conditions like pnuemonia, or individuals needing supplemental oxygen who are not good candidates for going on a respirator.

Re:Pessimists

[david duncan scott]

A lot of the work in this field is viewed as holding the patient together until a transplant becomes available. In those terms, 60 days could easily be long enough.

Re:Pessimists

[cmowire]

Not very optimistic, are they?

True, but it's probably better to say that it'll extend their lives by 30 days and then be pleasantly surprised when it works for x years, instead of saying that it will extend their life for x years and then have it work 60 days. For miracle medical products, it's the safest solution.

Re:Pessimists

[bublina]

Not yet, but they do claim at the end that they are hoping to get a five-year life out of those. I wonder what the limitations on the life of the hearts is right now. Battery-related?

Also, did you notice how heavy the heart and the associated equipment will be? That's an extra 7 pounds one will have to carry around - not negligible.

I like the idea of a backup battery power in the heart itself, though. It's appealing not only because it's a backup system, but also because it allows people to do things like go swimming, take a bath, etc. without having to worry about non-waterproof parts that they carry on the outside.

Re:Pessimists

[CaptainStormfield]

60 days is better than the alternative!

Quoting from the article:"The patients selected for the trial must be suffering from a chronic, progressive heart disease expected to result in death within 30 days. The goal of the experimental trials with the artificial heart, said Lederman, is to "double the life span of these patients," to 60 days."