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From Porcine Valves To The Carmat Artificial Heart

By Adam Pick on November 8, 2008

Talk about an incredible doctor and cutting-edge technology!

I just learned that porcine valve replacement pioneer, Dr. Alain Carpentier, is leading the development of a new, artificial heart. Carmat SAS, Carpentier’s France-based company, recently landed over $15 million in start-up funding and $50 million in government grants to develop the artificial heart using plane technology.

The new device, shown above at a news conference in Paris, has only been tested in animals. Its makers hope it might one day help people survive without needing a human heart transplant.

You may recall that Carpentier won the 2007 Lasker Award, alongside Albert Starr, for his work with porcine heart valves during the 1960s.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.