Barbican
London EC2Y
UK
Since the development of the heart lung machine in the middle of the last century, cardiac surgeons have dreamed of developing an artificial heart to deal with the failing human heart. Those dreams have now reached reality, and the first fully implantable artificial hearts are in use. Previously considered a bridge to heart transplantation, they are now being considered as potentially successful treatment in their own right, a ‘destination’ therapy. Materials science, fluid dynamics, pump technology, advanced electronics and advanced power supplies have all contributed to this development.
This lecture will describe these developments and consider some of the risks of the devices both for the individual and, if successful, for society.
This is a free public lecture by Martin Elliott, Gresham Professor of Physic.
There is no need to book in advance for this lecture. It runs on a first come first served basis.