The French company Carmat has developed an artificial heart – a device for replacing the whole heart for those people who are waiting for a donor, according to CNN.
Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world, with about one in five people in developed countries suffering from heart failure their entire life.
The artificial heart is similar in shape to a human, it weighs 4 kg. Powered by two battery packs, which must be charged every four hours from the electricity supply.
The sensors detect blood pressure, and in response, the algorithm monitors blood flow in real time. “It works like a human heart, so if the patient walks, the blood flow increases, and if the patient is at rest, the blood flow is stable and low,” said Stefan Piat, CEO of Carmat.
Parts that come into contact with the patient’s blood are made of material that is compatible with the human body to reduce the risk of adverse reactions. After surgical implantation, the device requires no maintenance. At the moment, tests of an artificial heart are being carried out, 19 patients are participating in them.
In December 2020, the company received permission to sell it in the European Union. Carmat hopes to start selling its artificial heart in Germany by the end of June.
By the end of 2021, it is planned to produce 20 devices, which will be sold to hospitals at a price of more than 160 thousand euros each, Belta.by reports.