Skip to main content

Pierce-Donachy

Pierce-Donachy Ventricular Assist Device
Society: ASMEMain Category: MechanicalSub Category: Biomedical EngineeringEra: 1970-1979DateCreated: 1973Milton S. Hershey Medical CenterHersjeyState: PAZip: 17033Country: USAWebsite: https://www.asme.org/about-asme/who-we-are/engineering-history/landmarks/142-pierce-donachy-ventricular-assist-deviceCreator: Pierce, William, Donachy, James

This is the first extremely smooth, surgically implantable, seam-free pulsatile blood pump to receive widespread clinical use. In its use in more than 250 patients, it has been responsible for saving numerous lives. When used as a bridge to transplant, the pump has a success rate greater than 90 percent. There has never been a device-failure-related fatality of any of these patients. A successful heart-assist pump could save an estimated fifteen thousand individuals annually.

YearAdded:
1990
Image Credit: Courtesy Wikipedia/Madhero88 (CC BY-SA 3.0)Image Caption: Pierce-Donachy Ventricular Assist DeviceEra_date_from: 1973
Subscribe to Pierce-Donachy

Innovations

Pierce-Donachy Ventricular Assist Device

This is the first extremely smooth, surgically implantable, seam-free pulsatile blood pump to receive widespread clinical use. In its use in more than 250 patients, it has been responsible for saving numerous lives. When used as a bridge to transplant, the pump has a success rate greater than 90…

Read More

We hope you enjoyed this essay.

Please support America's only magazine of the history of engineering and innovation, and the volunteers that sustain it with a donation to Invention & Technology.

Donate

Stay informed - subscribe to our newsletter.
The subscriber's email address.