In the past, there was a German myth known as *“Cold Heartâ€*, which told the story of a kind-hearted Peter who was transformed into a stone by the devil “Dutch ghost,†becoming cold and heartless afterward. While this is just a fairy tale, it raises an intriguing question: Can a person truly possess a “false heartâ€? This concept, once purely mythical, has now taken on a new meaning in modern science.
Today, many researchers are working to create a “false heartâ€â€”an artificial heart designed to save lives. The development of such technology has become a major focus for scientists around the world, with the hope of providing life-saving support to those suffering from severe heart conditions.
Among the pioneers in this field is Dr. Robert Jarvik, who developed the Jarvik-7 artificial heart at the University of Utah. This device gained widespread recognition in the medical community for its groundbreaking design. The Jarvik-7 consists of two chambers made from materials like polyurethane and aluminum, each replacing one side of the human heart. A catheter connects to each chamber, leading outside the body. By inflating or deflating the catheter, a flexible diaphragm inside each chamber moves back and forth, mimicking the natural pumping action of the heart and keeping blood circulating throughout the body.
Before being used in humans, the Jarvik-7 underwent extensive testing in animals. It functioned reliably for 221 days in a calf’s chest, proving its potential. In September 1981, it received approval for use in humans. On December 1, 1982, in Salt Lake City, Utah, 61-year-old Clark, a retired dentist, became the first recipient of the Jarvik-7. After a seven-and-a-half-hour operation performed by Dr. James D. Hardy and his team, the artificial heart took over the role of Clark’s failing heart. With the help of an external air compressor, the device worked effectively, keeping him alive. However, tragedy struck 112 days later when a valve joint cracked, leading to his death. Despite this, Clark’s case marked the first successful use of an artificial heart in a human.
Just two years later, on November 25, 1984, the Jarvik-7 was implanted in a second patient, 52-year-old Schroeder, who had been critically ill due to severe heart disease. Under the care of Dr. Hardy and his team, Schroeder lived for 622 days with the artificial heart, demonstrating its long-term viability.
Today, research into artificial hearts continues to advance rapidly. Beyond the Jarvik-7, numerous other models have been developed, each improving upon the last. These devices have already saved countless lives, offering hope to patients who would otherwise have no alternative. While challenges remain—such as preventing mechanical failures and reducing the risk of infection—progress is steady. With ongoing innovation, the future of artificial heart technology looks promising, bringing us closer to a world where heart failure no longer means certain death.
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