Researchers use the technology to produce aircraft artificial heart
French scientists are testing a technology used in satellites and aircraft to create an artificial heart that responds better to the human body. So far, the new system has only been tested on animals, but in the future may give hope of life for patients, without the need for transplant.
U.S. companies have already produced artificial hearts and scientists in Japan and South Korea are also working on their versions. But the French say that they are the first to determine the needs of the patient and respond appropriately.
"It's the same principle in the heart and in an airplane," said Patrick Coulombier, head of operations of Carmat, responsible for the project. According to him, small sensors that measure the air pressure and altitude on airplanes and satellites have been used in artificial heart, to detect items such as the speed of heartbeats and the pressure on its walls.
This allows the unit respond immediately if the patient needs more or less blood. It is expected to cost around U.S. $ 192 thousand - one of the most advanced artificial hearts, produced in the United States by ABIOMED, costs around 250 thousand.
"Our artificial heart was implanted in the United States and was approved by the FDA [(the U.S. agency that regulates food and drugs)]," says Aimee Maillett, a spokesman for the U.S. company. She refuses to comment on the competition in the area. On average, the unit manufactured by the company increased the life of patients in five months.
The unit created by the French has two pumps to send blood to the lungs and the rest of the body, as occurs with a real heart. Other artificial hearts had only one bomb.
The product was tested in sheep, in some cases for a period of three to six months to see how the animals react to the heart of the artificial heart, which is made of natural materials such as tissue of pigs. Investigators have not tested how long the animals were alive to use it.
The expectation is that the tests in humans begin within the next two years. Initially, the device should be used in patients who suffered a severe heart attack, but possibly to serve patients not so serious.
U.S. companies have already produced artificial hearts and scientists in Japan and South Korea are also working on their versions. But the French say that they are the first to determine the needs of the patient and respond appropriately.
"It's the same principle in the heart and in an airplane," said Patrick Coulombier, head of operations of Carmat, responsible for the project. According to him, small sensors that measure the air pressure and altitude on airplanes and satellites have been used in artificial heart, to detect items such as the speed of heartbeats and the pressure on its walls.
This allows the unit respond immediately if the patient needs more or less blood. It is expected to cost around U.S. $ 192 thousand - one of the most advanced artificial hearts, produced in the United States by ABIOMED, costs around 250 thousand.
"Our artificial heart was implanted in the United States and was approved by the FDA [(the U.S. agency that regulates food and drugs)]," says Aimee Maillett, a spokesman for the U.S. company. She refuses to comment on the competition in the area. On average, the unit manufactured by the company increased the life of patients in five months.
The unit created by the French has two pumps to send blood to the lungs and the rest of the body, as occurs with a real heart. Other artificial hearts had only one bomb.
The product was tested in sheep, in some cases for a period of three to six months to see how the animals react to the heart of the artificial heart, which is made of natural materials such as tissue of pigs. Investigators have not tested how long the animals were alive to use it.
The expectation is that the tests in humans begin within the next two years. Initially, the device should be used in patients who suffered a severe heart attack, but possibly to serve patients not so serious.
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