There have been groundbreaking advancements made by surgeons in successfully implanting an artificial titanium heart powered by magnetic levitation (maglev) technology, similar to that used in high-speed trains. This innovative device, developed by BiVACOR in partnership with the Texas Heart Institute, aims to bridge the gap for patients awaiting life-saving heart transplants and may even serve as a permanent heart replacement in the future.

The technology uses the principle which has been famously used in bullet trains, which glide above magnetic rails at speeds over 300 km/h. It has been adapted for use in a Total Artificial Heart (TAH). The heart’s rotor, powered by maglev, spins to circulate blood, floating within a titanium casing, which minimizes mechanical wear and potential failure.

On 09 July 2024, surgeons at the Texas Medical Center implanted this maglev-powered artificial heart in a patient as part of an FDA-approved trial. The heart successfully supported the patient for eight days, allowing for a subsequent donor heart transplant on 17 July 2024.

With heart disease affecting millions and only 6,000 donor hearts available annually, this technology could bridge the critical gap between failure and life-saving treatments, potentially saving countless lives.

Read more about the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart here – BiVACOR, Inc. – Replacing Hearts. Restoring Lives.

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