China uses rocket tech to build ‘ heart’

Product to be tested after experiments on animals first

Beijing, March 15: Chinese scientists have developed an artificial heart using rocket technology and it is currently undergoing testing after thorough experiments on animals, a media report said on Thursday.

The heart was developed jointly by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology ( CALT) and the Teda International Cardiovascular Hospital in North China’s Tianjin.

The artificial heart has been sent for testing and inspection after thorough experiments on animals, Science and Technology Daily reported, citing Li Hong, former director of CALT from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The artificial heart uses magnetic and fluid levitation from a rocket system, and the “aerospace heart” is expected to move to clinical trials during the 13th Five- Year Plan ( 2016- 20), state- run Global Times reported.

“The magnetic and fluid levitation technology can reduce the friction in the device to increase the working efficiency and extend the life span of the power generator,” the report quoted as saying Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator. This technology used can reduce damage to the blood and enable the blood pump to work longer.

“There is no self- made artificial heart approved for sale in China. For now, patients have to rely on heart transplants,” Sun Hongtao, associate chief physician at the Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital, told Science and Technology Daily.

“An imported artificial heart could cost $ 152,800. If China could produce its own artificial heart at a lower cost, that will benefit heart patients in China,” Sun said.

Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital also developed an artificial heart using magnetic levitation, and the man- made hearts have been planted in three of the patients from June to October 2017, state- run Xinhua News Agency reported on March 9.

Sun said artificial hearts were typically used while waiting for a heart transplant, or to permanently replace the heart in case heart transplants are not possible. In 2013, scientists planted a man- made heart in a sheep, which survived for 120 days in good health.

The hearts were then placed in six other sheep and all survived 100 days or longer, which proved that the heart is qualified for batch production, the Science and Technology report said.