How Does the AbioCor Work?
The AbioCor Replacement Heart is implanted in your body, where it takes the place of your natural heart to keep the blood flowing normally through your body. The AbioCor System has four main parts that are implanted inside your body and connected by an Implanted Cable.
The AbioCor Replacement Heart has Right and Left Blood Pumps that take turns pumping blood to the lungs and other areas of the body. These pumps are sacs that fill with blood and then squeeze it out. Like the natural heart, each Blood Pump has an inflow opening for incoming blood and outflow opening for outgoing blood. These openings are connected to your own arteries and veins during the implant surgery.
An Energy Converter in the Replacement Heart helps the Right and Left Blood Pumps keep blood flowing normally. The Energy Converter contains silicone hydraulic fluid in a sealed compartment. This compartment is separated from the right and left chambers by flexible membranes. A pump in the Energy Converter pushes the fluid against the membranes, causing the Right and Left Blood Pumps to empty and fill.
The AbioCor System has other external parts that work with the implanted components of the system. These external parts provide power to the AbioCor System, monitor its performance, and provide a way for you, your doctor, or your nurse to adjust the system when necessary.
