AbioCor Artificial HeartMichael Congdon

BME-18111 February 2013

Coronary Heart Disease Leading cause of death in the U.S. for men and Women

Plague build up on walls of coronary arteries

Resulting build up leads to a clot and ultimately a heart attack

AbioCor Product of 30 years of research, development and testing.

Created by Abiomed

Designed to sustain body’s circulatory system in patients who would otherwise die of a heart failure

Totally implantable

Patients not tethered to an external pump nor have wires piercing the skin

The Similarities

Internal Components Thoracic unit: (the pump) consists

of artificial ventricles and valves, motor-driven hydraulic pumping system.

Pump motor rotates at 4000-8000 revolutions per minute, supplying the pressure to pump blood through the body

Internal Components cont. Internal rechargeable battery: an emergency battery that is continually

charged by the external power source. Provides up to 20 minutes of operation while disconnected from the main battery pack

Electronics package: implanted in the patients abdominal area. Monitors and controls the pumping speed of the artificial heart

External Components Normally powered by an external console of battery packs

Internal battery powers pump only when external power is disconnected

Power into the body is achieved with an energy-transfer device called a transcutaneous energy transmission (TET) system.

Consists of internal and external coils used to send power across the skin without actually penetrating it.

Results As of September 2004, there were 14 patients already

implanted with AbioCor

Studies show device proven to be safe in all cases

Greatest benefit occurs in patients with severe heart failure and immanent death

First person ever to receive AbioCor lived for 151 days after the transplant

Reflection AbioCor is one of the most innovative pieces of Biomedical

technology out there

Since use has help save/prolong many lives

Landmark of cardiovascular technology

Resources The Artificial Heart." The Artificial Heart. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.

"Total Artificial Heart ." Total Artificial Heart. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb.

"Abiomed." AbioCor. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.

Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. Coronary Heart Disease. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Jan. 0001. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.

"AbioCor." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Feb. 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.

"AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart - Texas Heart Institute - Heart Assist Devices." AbioCor Implantable Replacement Heart - Texas Heart Institute - Heart Assist Devices. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.