“ Engineers have been trying to create a completely implantable ventricular assist device (VAD) that has no cords or vents transecting the skin since the earliest days of VAD and artificial-heart development. Now that vision appears more realistic than ever before because of the new generation of wireless power-transfer technologies.”
All continuous flow pumps have several important advantages over earlier pumps:
They have unique engineering designs and fewer moving parts, so they’re more durable and reliable.
They are smaller than earlier pumps, which mean that more patients—including people with smaller frames—are candidates to receive them.
They have smaller, more flexible drivelines, which helps diminish the chance of driveline infections.
Today, thousands of patients around the world receive LVADs each year. Meanwhile, researchers and device manufacturers continue to find ways to make them more durable, reliable and convenient for patients.
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