We had to overcome many technical challenges to make an artificial heart that’s small, biocompatible, energy efficient, and durable.
We’ve also implanted the Bivacor heart in several sheep, which are more representative of patients with smaller bodies, including children.
[For more about his personal story, see " Artificial Heart Inventor Was Inspired by His Plumber Father."]
The Bivacor heart would fit in the palm of your hand—it’s about 650 grams, slightly heavier than an adult human heart.
When the patient is exercising, the mechanical heart will pump more blood out to the muscles, just as a biological heart does.