Artificial Heart

Artificial Heart

The never ending pursuit of advancement by science and technology in its endeavor to ease the human life has been so tremendous that what we once thought was unfeasible is now a reality, such as in the creation of artificial organs. From an historic angle, no one would have ever imagined the possibility of providing a functional substitute for one of nature’s creations. Since ancient times, people have viewed the heart as more than just a physical part of the living body. It has been thought as the seat of soul, the source of emotion and the center of each individual’s existence. Scientist all over the world has spent many years to study the complex mechanism of the human body. Doctors and researchers have dedicated many years to the study of the heart, since they thought it was too delicate, too crucial to withstand the rigors of surgery. However, the innate human desire to strive for perfection has brought forth the invention of the artificial heart. Such an invention has literally changed the lives of many. According to the American heart association there are between 16,000 and 40,000 possible recipients of the artificial heart devices under the age of sixty-five.

The heart is one of the most important organs in the entire human body. It is a pump, comprised of muscle cells, which pumps blood throughout the body, beating approximately 72 times per minute. A heart is comprised of two pumps each with two chambers. The right-atrium pumps oxygen depleted blood from the body into the right ventricle, which in turn pumps it directly into the lungs - the left atrium sends aerated blood from the lungs into the left ventricle which pumps it out to the body. The heart

pumps the blood, which carries all the vital materials which help our bodies function and it removes the waste products that we do not need. For example, the brain requires oxygen and glucose, which, if not received continuously, will cause it to loose consciousness. Muscles need oxygen, glucose and amino acids, as well as the proper ratio of sodium, calcium and potassium salts in order to contract normally. The glands need sufficient supplies of raw materials from which to manufacture the specific secretions. If the heart ever ceases to pump blood the body begins to shut