Post: #1

In March of last year, Craig Lewis, 55, was dying from a heart condition that caused build-ups of abnormal proteins, and not even a pacemaker could help save his life.

But two doctors from the Texas Heart Institute proposed a revolutionary new solution – install a ‘continuous flow’ device that would allow blood to circulate his body without a pulse.

Dr Billy Cohn and Dr Bud Frazier installed the device after removing Mr Lewis’ heart. Within a day, the patient was up and speaking with physicians.

The two doctors had developed the device some time before and had tested it on nearly 50 calves.
They removed the animals’ hearts, and by the next day, the calves were doing everything they were the day before – eating, sleeping, and moving – but this time, without a heart pumping blood through their bodies.








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Post: #2

Fuck, I'm no longer unique!

Oh wait, you mean THAT kind of heart...

... wow, this is amazing. I had no idea this sort of things was possible. Thanks for the link.

Post: #3

So...what's keeping that thing from working forever?

Post: #4

(11-20-2013 01:18 PM)thedude3737 Wrote:  So...what's keeping that thing from working forever?

They can probably get a rating for the device that says, "Guaranteed to work for x years."

You can sell more expensive models that last even longer or ones that can give you the cardiovascular equivalent of a long distance runner.

I'd be curious to see how the device scales up flow for more vigorous activity. Does it measure adrenaline as a means to increase flow and blood pressure?

Coolest thing i've ever seen.

Post: #5

That's crazy. Would they suddenly die if it malfunctions too?

Post: #6

(11-20-2013 02:32 PM)kbell Wrote:  That's crazy. Would they suddenly die if it malfunctions too?

It would be cardiac arrest

Post: #7

It wouldn't be called that since he has no cardiac muscles anymore. Just 2 tubes and a pump, which is a really simplified heart.

Post: #8

He just has to wait until the new iHeart 5s makes his older model obsolete.

But really, thats fucking cool. I imagine that a continuous blodd flow should give him some kind of advantage. (I guess it would if his health wasnt so bad they had to take the heart out in the first place.)

Post: #9

Cool link. Absolutely blew my mind.

Post: #10

(11-20-2013 02:26 PM)frenchie Wrote:  I'd be curious to see how the device scales up flow for more vigorous activity. Does it measure adrenaline as a means to increase flow and blood pressure?

Coolest thing i've ever seen.

I was wondering about that too. Your heart automatically adjusts its rate when you become active and your tissues need extra oxygen or even if you are in high-altitude environment. But how would this device know when your body needs more oxygen? I can't imagine it would. Maybe this is just a temporary measure until they can get him a heart transplant.

Post: #11

This is amazing, but what powers it? I mean if it is battery powered you need to recharge your batteries. Do you plug yourself into the wall when you go to bed?

"- Hey Steve you wanna go partying tonight?
- Nah man I gotta charge my heart"

Post: #12

he also died weeks after the operation, I think for something unrelated to his heart.

Post: #13

(11-20-2013 06:16 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

(11-20-2013 02:26 PM)frenchie Wrote:  I'd be curious to see how the device scales up flow for more vigorous activity. Does it measure adrenaline as a means to increase flow and blood pressure?

Coolest thing i've ever seen.

I was wondering about that too. Your heart automatically adjusts its rate when you become active and your tissues need extra oxygen or even if you are in high-altitude environment. But how would this device know when your body needs more oxygen? I can't imagine it would. Maybe this is just a temporary measure until they can get him a heart transplant.

There are people living with a artificial heart waiting for a donor, the last version I saw had huge battery packs, they may have improved that in the meantime.

Blood flow: You could measure the motion of the body with an acceleration sensor and regulate the flow accordingly.
Energy: There are blood glucose fuel cells to generate power, but they are not efficient enough at the moment to power that pump.