Surgeons have successfully implanted an artificial titanium heart in the chest of a human patient that is powered by the same ‘maglev’ technology used in the creation of high-speed trains. Its creators hope that the device will be used to save the lives of countless patients on transplant waiting lists, and could even one day serve as a permanent replacement for failing hearts.
Magnetic levitation, or ‘maglev’ technology harnesses the natural repelling force of opposing magnetic poles to suspend an object in mid-air, essentially causing it to float in place. The most famous use of the technology in the real world has been in the creation of high-velocity bullet trains, which glide contactlessly above magnetic rails at speeds in excess of 300 km/h.
Now, scientists at California-based company BiVACOR have partnered with the Texas Heart Institute to implant the first artificial heart powered by maglev technology in the chest of a human patient who is awaiting a life-saving organ transplant.
The pumping motion of the BiVACOR’s Total Artificial Heart (TAH) is governed by a maglev driven rotor, which spins to circulate blood around the body while suspended contactlessly inside the titanium housing of the compact implant. Once installed, the valveless heart is theoretically capable of supporting an exercising adult male, and can be manipulated to pump faster or slower using a smart external controller. It is also hoped that its frictionless design will remove the risk of mechanical wear, and ultimately, failure.
On July 9, surgeons at the Texas Medical Center successfully implanted the first human patient with the maglev-powered heart, as part of an FDA approved trial to test the safety and feasibility of the artificial organ. As it stands, BiVACOR’s heart is not being developed as a permanent replacement, but rather as a bridging implant to keep patients alive while they wait for a donor heart to become available.
Thankfully, the BiVACOR TAH was able to keep the patient alive for a full eight days, after which surgeons were able to remove the artificial organ in order to replace it with a donor heart on July 17. The patient is now recovering well, according to a recent update from the Texas Heart Institute.
A further four patients are expected to receive the artificial heart prior to the conclusion of BiVACOR’s first human trial. Looking to the future, the company hopes that its maglev-powered organ will eventually be used to save the lives of countless patients, and that it could even one day be used as a long-term replacement for the human heart.
“This device may serve as a life-saving bridge to a heart transplant; future studies may prove its potential as a long-term pump that can effectively serve as a total replacement for a patient’s heart,” said Dr. Alexis Shafii, Surgical Director of Heart Transplantation at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. “We anticipate the BiVACOR TAH may eventually save numerous lives, as well as improve the quality of life for patients who otherwise have no alternative therapy available.”
Heart disease is estimated to affect some 6.7 million Americans over the age of 20, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By contrast a mere 6,000 donor hearts become available globally each year. The National Institutes of Health estimate that 100,000 patients could immediately benefit from access to artificial hearts, which could help bridge the gap between failure and life saving surgeries, saving countless lives.
Image credit: BiVACOR Inc.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
