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Anatomic fit study for development of a one piece total artificial heart
1Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
ASAIO Transactions
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Researchers developed a new total artificial heart (TAH) model, assessing its fit in cardiac transplant recipients. The anatomically designed TAH shows promise for implantation as a cardiac prosthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Total artificial heart (TAH) implantation requires precise anatomical fit.
- Previous TAH designs faced challenges with spatial constraints within the pericardial space.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define anatomical constraints for total artificial heart (TAH) insertion.
- To obtain parameters for designing a totally implantable TAH.
- To validate the anatomical compatibility of a novel TAH model.
Main Methods:
- Conducted fit studies in 26 human orthotopic cardiac transplant recipients.
- Utilized a multiadjustable fitting device (118x81x97 mm) for contour modeling.
- Performed 15 fitting and measuring studies to validate design and anatomic compatibility.
- Measured anatomical dimensions of connection points and excised hearts.
- Conducted a fit verification study with a prototype model in 11 recipients.
Main Results:
- Satisfactory fit of the contour model was achieved in all 26 cases.
- The prototype model demonstrated satisfactory fit in the pericardial space without compressing adjacent structures in 7 out of 11 patients.
- Anatomical dimensions for TAH connection points were successfully obtained.
Conclusions:
- A newly designed TAH model exhibits an anatomically and surgically practical configuration.
- This TAH configuration shows potential for implantation in a majority of patients as a completely implantable cardiac prosthesis.