Dr Alain Carpentier's new artificial heart look very real expect for the colour and texture.The device is designed to be as similar as possible to the human heart
The device beats almost exactly like the real thing using electronic sensors to regulate heart rate and blood flow.
Developers Carmat now need approval from the French authorities before pushing ahead with clinical trials.
Several teams from around the world have been working to develop the perfect artificial heart that could be fitted into the 20,000 patients worldwide unable to receive a life-saving heart transplant because of a shortage of donor organs.
The new heart is covered with specially treated tissue to avoid rejection by the body's immune system and the formation of blood clots.
However, the power supply for the heart remains a significant hurdle.
Carmat, the company founded by Professor Carpentier and Europe's aerospace and defence giant EADS, says the battery could last for between five and 16 hours after which it would have to be recharged to prevent the artificial heart stopping.
Professor Carpentier's team is studying two options that do not require wires crossing the skin because these pose an infection risk. Professor Carpentier said the heart was necessary given the chronic shortage of heart donors and growing heart patient waiting lists.
The device beats almost exactly like the real thing using electronic sensors to regulate heart rate and blood flow.
Developers Carmat now need approval from the French authorities before pushing ahead with clinical trials.
Several teams from around the world have been working to develop the perfect artificial heart that could be fitted into the 20,000 patients worldwide unable to receive a life-saving heart transplant because of a shortage of donor organs.
The new heart is covered with specially treated tissue to avoid rejection by the body's immune system and the formation of blood clots.
However, the power supply for the heart remains a significant hurdle.
Carmat, the company founded by Professor Carpentier and Europe's aerospace and defence giant EADS, says the battery could last for between five and 16 hours after which it would have to be recharged to prevent the artificial heart stopping.
Professor Carpentier's team is studying two options that do not require wires crossing the skin because these pose an infection risk. Professor Carpentier said the heart was necessary given the chronic shortage of heart donors and growing heart patient waiting lists.
