Community Media Center of Marin

Community Media Center of Marin

Community Media Center of Marin

Researchers at RWTH Aachen University have developed what they say is the world's smallest, fully implantable artificial heart, and believe it should be ready for clinical use within three years. There's a huge need for artificial hearts, because donor organs for cardiac patients are in short supply. Called the Reinheart, the new implant is designed to last for many years. It also functions without any transcutaneous external tubes or cables, which reduces the risk of contracting potentially deadly infections.