Huffman F N, Norman J C
Thermo Electron Research and Development Center, Waltham, Massachusetts and the Texas Heart Institute of the St. Luke's Episcopal and Texas Children's Hospitals, Houston, Texas.
Cardiovasc Dis. 1974;1(5):463-476.
If an implantable artificial heart can be developed, it should prove beneficial to a significant group of patients. A variety of energy sources, such as biologic, electromagnetic, and nuclear, are under evaluation. Currently, biologic fuel cell technology is not sufficiently advanced to permit its extrapolation to the power levels required for implantable circulatory support systems. Electromagnetic systems have the disadvantage of heavy batteries of considerable bulk requiring frequent recharging. Radioisotope-fueled thermal engine systems have the potential of providing degrees of freedom not possible with rechargeable units. However, radiosotope circulatory support systems subject their recipients to prolonged intracorporeal radiation, add to environmental background radiation, and constitute an exceedingly small, but finite, hazard due to possible violation of fuel containment.
如果能够研发出可植入式人工心脏，那么它应该会对相当一部分患者有益。目前正在评估多种能源，如生物能、电磁能和核能。当前，生物燃料电池技术还不够先进，无法扩展到可植入式循环支持系统所需的功率水平。电磁系统的缺点是电池笨重、体积庞大，需要频繁充电。放射性同位素驱动的热机系统有可能提供可充电装置所无法实现的自由度。然而，放射性同位素循环支持系统会使接受者遭受长时间的体内辐射，增加环境本底辐射，并且由于可能出现燃料泄漏，会构成极其微小但仍存在的风险。
