Jarvik-7, artificial heart

The long quest for blood-compatible materials to some extent overshadows the vast number of other applications of polymers in medicine. Development and testing of biocompatible materials have in fact been pursued by a significant number of chemical engineers in collaboration with physicians, with incremental but no revolutionary results to date. Progress is certainly evident, however the Jarvik-7 artificial heart is largely built from polymers [34]. Much attention has been focused on new classes of materials, such... 

The Jarvik 7 artificial heart, composed largely of synthetic organic materials. 

Polyurethanes have a wide range of applications. Polymers with relatively little cross-linking produce stretchable fibers (Spandex and Lycra) used for bathing suits. Polyurethane foams are used in furniture, mattresses, and car seats and as insulation in portable ice chests. Cross-linked polyurethanes form very tough surface coatings in paints and varnishes. The major component of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart is also a polyurethane. 

American physician Robert K. Jarvik refined Kolff s design into the Jarvik-7 artificial heart, intended for permanent use. In 1982, at the University of Utah, American surgeon William G. DeVries implanted it into retired dentist Barney Clark, who survived 112 days. 

Jarvik-7 artificial heart (Robert Jarvik) TheJarvik-7 allows a calf to five 268 days with the artificial heart. Jarvik combined ideas from several other workers to produce the Jarvik-7. 

Polyethylene terephthalate Is Dacron, used In the Jarvik artificial heart. As a thin film, it is Mylar. 

An artificial heart, Jarvik-7, is invented by Robert Jarvik... 

The artificial heart, Jarvik-7, which has been successful in keeping a recipient alive for more than a year, has valves made from modified polypropylene and the two ventricles made of polyurethane supported on an aluminum base. For arterial replacements or bypass of clogged blood vessels, polyester fiber such as Du Font s Dacron remains the preferred material. 

In 1982, American surgeon William C. DeVries implanted the first permanent artificial heart, the Jarvik-7, invented hy American physician Robert K. Jarvik, into Seattle dentist Barney Clark. The dentist lived for another 112 days. 

A modern version of the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart has been implanted in more than eight hundred people since 1982 but each device was removed when a donor heart became available. 

Mechanical devices are important and these include intra-aortic balloon pump and the development of the total artificial heart as exemplified by the Jarvik Mark 7. The artificial heart is placed inside the thorax, sutured to the recipient atria, pulmonary artery and aorta. It is completely mechanical with inlet and outlet valves, a smooth non-thrombogenic inner surface, elastic pumping balloons and an external power source. Difficulties include prolonged valve function, an appropriate non-clottable endocardial lining, a durable elastic pumping membrane, a reliable power source, a portable external power supply and infection of the machine-man interface. 

Jarvik, R. K. 1995. System considerations favoring rotary artificial hearts with blood-immersed bearings. Artif Organs 19 565-70. 

Dr. Robert Jarvik, an American cardiologist, is best known for his contributions to the development of an artificial human heart. 

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