The Artificial HeartAnd the Future of Artificial Organs

Technology will Save our Minds and Bodies (Medical) Written by Zakk Straiko - 200177855

Artificial Organs

• Artificial Organs have saved many lives and brought happiness to those who may have lost hope, and as we progress further along with technology our capabilities are expanding as well

• Artificial organs are meant to be a temporary means while a replacement organ is located or on the unfortunate side; if the life of the patient ends

• Artificial organs did and still do not last a whole lot of a time, granted they provide extra time the patient and the family may need to prepare and spend time with each other. As it stand artificial hearts may only last a few weeks/months to a year

• Image with much more research and development we may yet extend that amount of time. And quite possibly come up with more ideas and technology to aid us. Eventually we could come up with longer lasting gadgets

The Heart

• Your heart is a muscle that pumpsblood around your body

• It has four chambers, two pumpand two receive the blood:• the left and right atria (blood entering)• the left and right ventricles (blood exits)

• “The blood provides your body with oxygen and nutrients. When problem develop with your heart it can affect other parts of your body, thus why it is important to look after your heart”

https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/know-the-facts/your-heart - Heart Foundation - Know the facts – Your Heart

Diagram of the Heart

Diagram: Artificial Heart | Human Heart

What is an Artificial Heart?

• a mechanical device, that is connected to your heart or implanted in your chest to help or replace a failing heart.

• It may have several valves, a mechanism to propel blood forward, and one or more chambers

• There are two types of Artificial Hearts, Ventricle Assist Devices and Total Artificial Hearts, The Ventricle Assist Devices help with pumping of the blood through the heart for however long is needed, and the Total Artificial Heart replaces the heart on a permanent basis if heart failure occurs.

• As it stands, Artificial Hearts can last up to just over a year, and in most cases double the life expectancy of patients who were given a few weeks/months to live

Source:

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Artifical-hearts-information-sheet.pdf

Heart Foundation – Artificial Hearts, What is an Artificial Heart

How does an Artificial Heart Work?

• “Blood enters an artificial heart from the left or right atrium (blood receiving chamber). It is then pumped into the aorta (artery to your body) or pulmonary artery (artery to your lungs), depending on which side of your heart is being supported.”

• “powered by either compressed air or electricity”• “Thin cable connects the pumping chamber to a control console that

regulates the pump function. The control console can be a large box on wheels that stays beside you, moving with you when you walk around the hospital.”

Source:

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Artifical-hearts-information-sheet.pdf

Heart Foundation – Artificial Hearts – How does an Artificial Heart Work?

The Future of Artificial Hearts and Organs

• Research is being done in several areas to improve the quality and use of artificial hearts such as making them longer lasting, using different material and designs to promote less blood clotting and the need for blood thinning materials.

• Artificial Organs with more research and development could lead to saving and extending more lives, perhaps eventually artificial organs may cost less and be more accessible to those who may need use of them

• Artificial organs along with prosthetic limbs are amazing pieces of technology, they can give people back their lives when those people and family might have lost hope. Giving people a second chance

Source:

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Artifical-hearts-information-sheet.pdf - Heart Foundation - Artificial Hearts – What Research is being done into Artificial Hearts?

Advantages

• +• “Readily available – no need for immunosuppressive drugs, which

can compromise renal function leaving the patient susceptible to infection”

• “Artificial heart restores hemodynamic stability, raising blood pressure and helping vital organs recover, in preparation for a heart transplant. Persons who are not heart transplant candidates, the artificial heart has allowed prolonged time with family and friends, and time to enjoy desired activities. Patients can go home with a fully implanted artificial heart.”

Source: http://www.healthguideinfo.com/surgical-heart-procedures/p9019/

Health Guide Info.com, Heart Disease – Heart Surgeries and Procedures, Advantages and Disadvantages of the Artificial Heart

Disadvantages

• –• “risks include wearing out or failure of the electrical motor,

infection, and the need to take blood thinners to prevent clotting.”• “Stroke and bleeding are also possible complications with the

artificial heart.”• “Not all patients have a body size that allows the device to be

implanted into the chest cavity, making small persons unable to receive the device.”

Source: http://www.healthguideinfo.com/surgical-heart-procedures/p9019/

Health Guide Info.com, Heart Disease – Heart Surgeries and Procedures, Advantages and Disadvantages of the Artificial Heart

Statistic to think about

• “there are only slightly more than 2,000 heart transplants performed in the United States annually, meaning that tens of thousands of people die waiting for a donor heart.”

Source:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/artificial-heart.htm - How Stuff Works - How Artificial Hearts Work

Conclusion

• This type of technology and all the technology that correlates with it will save our minds and bodies and they will promote longer and healthier living, and in a lot of cases that second chance or bit of extra time we may be looking for

• Thank you for viewing my presentation, I hope you enjoyed and please feel free to check out the YouTube videos on the following page.

• Presentation by Zakk Straiko - 200177855

YouTube Videos

• Alfred's Story: Total Artificial Heart Recipient:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8nNzkpuRbs

• U.K. Man Gets Artificial Heart in Pioneering Surgery:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hVxNTghQs8

Resources & References

How Artificial Hearts Work (how stuff works

http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/artificial-heart.htm

Alfred's Story: Total Artificial Heart Recipient

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8nNzkpuRbs

Heart Foundation (Artificial Hearts) – http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/Artifical-hearts-information-sheet.pdf

Heart Foundation - Your Heart

https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/know-the-facts/your-heart

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Artificial Heart –Health Guide Info.com

http://www.healthguideinfo.com/surgical-heart-procedures/p9019/