Jarvik-7 Total Artificial Heart (USA)

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from National Museum of American History as part of Tools: Extending Our Reach.

In 1985, this Jarvik-7 Total Artificial Heart replaced the diseased organ of Michael Drummond, who lived with it for nine days before undergoing a heart transplant. Researchers labored for over 25 years to develop an artificial heart, but finding suitable blood-interface materials to prevent clotting and a way to safely propel blood through the device presented challenges. Invented by Robert Jarvik, MD, the device consists of two ventricles made of a soft silicone-rubber plastic with two titanium and pyrolytic carbon tilting-disc valves. Each is held in place by Velcro®, permitting fine-tuning of the heart’s placement or ventricle removal. The interior diaphragm consists of four layers of Biomer, a polyurethane, providing the pump with greater strength and durability, a key design feature. A pneumatically operated driver regulates blood flow and the number of heartbeats per minute. Today, more than 1,200 Jarvik-7 artificial hearts have been implanted as an initial stage of the transplant process.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Tools: Extending Our Reach.