overall: 2 5/8 in x 12 1/2 in x 13 in; 6.6675 cm x 31.75 cm x 33.02 cm
overall: 16.5 cm x 13.7 cm x 6 cm; 6 1/2 in x 5 13/32 in x 2 3/8 in
Object Name:
blood pump and energy convertor
cardiology
Place made:
United States: California, Berkeley
Date made:
ca 1984
Description:
This blood pump/drive unit is the original version of the Novacor Left Ventricular Assist (LVAS). It is the world's first clinically implanted electromechanical Ventricular Assist Device (VAD). While some researchers worked on developing a total artificial heart as a bridge to transplant several groups of scientists and engineers worked on developing the smaller heart assist device. In select cases the LVAD can be used as a long term recovery solution (destination therapy) to chronic heart failure. Groups working on both the artificial heart and VAD's encountered many of the same problems, particularly material compatibility to avoid blood clotting. In 1998, the Novacor LVAS was given FDA approval as a bridge to transplant.
A Ventricualr Assist Device (VAD) is a mechanical pump used to partially or completely replace a diseased human heart. Unlike a Total Artificial Heart, the patient’s human heart is left in place. The VAD assists the ventricles push blood through the body.
Jassawalla, J. S.; Daniel, M.A.; Lee, J.; LaForge, Billich, J.; Ramasamy, N.; Miller, P.J.; Oyer, P. E.; Portner, P. M.. In vitro and in vivo testing of a totally implantable left ventricular assist system
