If the experiments are successful, more patients could be added to the trial, he said. Mass. The patients selected for the trial must have chronic, progressive heart disease expected to result in death within 30 days. The company hopes, however, to develop a device that will last for up to five years. Less advanced mechanical hearts are now used strictly as a bridge until transplant organs can be found, but those devices are hooked to external power sources and pumps. The AbioCor is self-contained within the chest, Lederman said.
Power comes from a battery pack worn outside the body.
A coil sends power through the skin to an implanted coil, which carries the power to an implanted control package and backup short-term battery. There are no wire or tube connections outside the skin. The external battery pack must be recharged every four hours. The pump and its support devices weigh a total of 3 pounds. The external battery pack and monitor weigh about 4 pounds.