International project develops heart device suited to Japanese market:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Each year, 2,000-3,000 Japanese patients require artificial hearts, but are unable to acquire one due to the high cost and large size of conventional pumps, which are unsuitable for many Japanese people. Recently, the Tokyo Women's Medical University (in liaison with researchers from Waseda University, Sun Medical Technology Research and the US University of Pittsburgh) successfully implanted a small-sized blood pump, reports Asahi Shimbun. The Evaheart is 420 grams, which means it can be used in smaller women and children. The device costs around Y5m ($46,000), which is less than half the price of foreign pumps. It is hoped that the new pump will encourage more manufacturing of implant devices in Japan.