I originally thought it was an interesting topic to discuss the importance of technology to learn more about the different systems of the body. Don’t we need to know about the body in order to create a solution? Well, I was only part right. After researching, it began to make a lot more sense. Inventors/scientists need to have knowledge to base their technology on, but when they make prototypes, things don’t always go as planned. They will encounter problems along the way, and thus, need to keep re-modifying their plans. In situations like these, more things are learned about the body and its limits are tested.
Technology is crucial to our understanding of the different systems of the body. Ultimately, all body systems are intertwined and interdependent to form the complex system that is the human body. Our digestive organs would not work if the circulatory system did not do its job to supply blood and oxygenate the cells, so that their functions can be carried out. Trying to implant an artificial lung, some consideration needs to be done about how the rest of the body will accept it. In learning how to suit other parts and components of the body, we gain more knowledge. Let’s examine this idea with the case of the artificial heart, from various cases of artificial heart use throughout the years.
In March of 1983, it was reported in the L.A. Times that the first recipient of an artificial heart died 112 days after the implantation. The article is in the archives which means you’d have to pay to read the entire article, but from what I could read, he had gone through a series of setbacks from a permanently implanted heart. The artificial heart still needed to be refined and continued to do so, up until today and beyond.
In August of 1985, a man in Arizona was given a Jarvik-7 (shown on the left) artificial heart, the first authorized artificial heart used temporarily for those waiting for a heart donor. In October of the same year, a man was given an improved artificial heart compared to the Jarvik-7. This advanced heart was designed to reduce blood clotting, but despite this, the man went into critical condition the next day, going into stupor as the blood vessels leading to the brain were constricting. He lasted long enough to receive a donor heart, but died 18 days later, after suffering
an inflamed pancreas and fevers.
In 2006, hearts were meant to help patients live long enough to get a heart donor. A fully implantable heart was created, except there was a problem—it didn’t have a pulse. Previous models of hearts used pumps to create a pulse that pumped blood throughout the body. The idea of whether having a pulse or not would affect the human or animal were debated. Some said that not having a pulse would mean the small capillaries would not get blood, resulting in organ failure. Others said that continuous flow devices are equally as safe as pumps that pulse. I have not found an updated article on this topic, or whether their research proved it fit to use in humans.
Now moving forward to September 2009, not too long ago, Abiomed created a self-contained heart that runs on battery. The procedure will cost $250, 000, which is double the price of a heart transplant in the United States of America.
The journey to find the perfect heart involves lots of research, and in research we make discoveries. Take the case of diabetes, where not much was known about the disease, and was often referred to as the “sugar sickness”. Researchers Banting, Best, and their research team discovered insulin. Insulin explained the disease and the cure. It was discovered through testing of blood sugar and extractions from the pancreas that began to work miracles on diabetics, who would have otherwise died. Although not part of the digestive, circulatory or respiratory system, bionic eyes are also being developed to help the blind.
An article in 2003, stated that putting in electronics into the eye, a corrosive environment, could be a problem. Devices that are not biocompatible could cause major tissue reactions. But with technology advancements and research, some predict that the eyes could be fully ready by 2011. In a recent article, a toddler’s parents are fighting for an artificial cornea to save their daughters life, who could be blind before the age of 3. Technology really does improve our knowledge of how the human body works and all its internal components. But like all good things, technological “cures” should only be used on patients who need it, instead of people who want to be perfect or superhuman.
But aside from the main topic, all this talk about the future of technology, with bionic eyes, artificial hearts, bionic limbs…artificial everything really got me thinking. Some fictitious stories talk about the future—of a battle between the human race and robots. Something that I’ve never thought of was Who’s side am I going to be on? With the advancements in technologies, we just might be those robots (well probably not us, but further down the family tree). That scares me, despite that it would so cool to be a real Transformer! All these idioms we use in today’s society would take on a whole new meaning. Your heart is artificial, so what could you possibly feel there? You would not be looking into the eyes of the one you love, but into a silicon chip. Would we really be human? From all these articles about the heart, I’ve realized that the best is natural, and nothing can really beat the human heart, SO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE SURE TO EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!
Works Cited
Technology is crucial to our understanding of the different systems of the body. Ultimately, all body systems are intertwined and interdependent to form the complex system that is the human body. Our digestive organs would not work if the circulatory system did not do its job to supply blood and oxygenate the cells, so that their functions can be carried out. Trying to implant an artificial lung, some consideration needs to be done about how the rest of the body will accept it. In learning how to suit other parts and components of the body, we gain more knowledge. Let’s examine this idea with the case of the artificial heart, from various cases of artificial heart use throughout the years.
In March of 1983, it was reported in the L.A. Times that the first recipient of an artificial heart died 112 days after the implantation. The article is in the archives which means you’d have to pay to read the entire article, but from what I could read, he had gone through a series of setbacks from a permanently implanted heart. The artificial heart still needed to be refined and continued to do so, up until today and beyond.
In August of 1985, a man in Arizona was given a Jarvik-7 (shown on the left) artificial heart, the first authorized artificial heart used temporarily for those waiting for a heart donor. In October of the same year, a man was given an improved artificial heart compared to the Jarvik-7. This advanced heart was designed to reduce blood clotting, but despite this, the man went into critical condition the next day, going into stupor as the blood vessels leading to the brain were constricting. He lasted long enough to receive a donor heart, but died 18 days later, after suffering
an inflamed pancreas and fevers.In 2006, hearts were meant to help patients live long enough to get a heart donor. A fully implantable heart was created, except there was a problem—it didn’t have a pulse. Previous models of hearts used pumps to create a pulse that pumped blood throughout the body. The idea of whether having a pulse or not would affect the human or animal were debated. Some said that not having a pulse would mean the small capillaries would not get blood, resulting in organ failure. Others said that continuous flow devices are equally as safe as pumps that pulse. I have not found an updated article on this topic, or whether their research proved it fit to use in humans.
Now moving forward to September 2009, not too long ago, Abiomed created a self-contained heart that runs on battery. The procedure will cost $250, 000, which is double the price of a heart transplant in the United States of America.
The journey to find the perfect heart involves lots of research, and in research we make discoveries. Take the case of diabetes, where not much was known about the disease, and was often referred to as the “sugar sickness”. Researchers Banting, Best, and their research team discovered insulin. Insulin explained the disease and the cure. It was discovered through testing of blood sugar and extractions from the pancreas that began to work miracles on diabetics, who would have otherwise died. Although not part of the digestive, circulatory or respiratory system, bionic eyes are also being developed to help the blind.
An article in 2003, stated that putting in electronics into the eye, a corrosive environment, could be a problem. Devices that are not biocompatible could cause major tissue reactions. But with technology advancements and research, some predict that the eyes could be fully ready by 2011. In a recent article, a toddler’s parents are fighting for an artificial cornea to save their daughters life, who could be blind before the age of 3. Technology really does improve our knowledge of how the human body works and all its internal components. But like all good things, technological “cures” should only be used on patients who need it, instead of people who want to be perfect or superhuman.
But aside from the main topic, all this talk about the future of technology, with bionic eyes, artificial hearts, bionic limbs…artificial everything really got me thinking. Some fictitious stories talk about the future—of a battle between the human race and robots. Something that I’ve never thought of was Who’s side am I going to be on? With the advancements in technologies, we just might be those robots (well probably not us, but further down the family tree). That scares me, despite that it would so cool to be a real Transformer! All these idioms we use in today’s society would take on a whole new meaning. Your heart is artificial, so what could you possibly feel there? You would not be looking into the eyes of the one you love, but into a silicon chip. Would we really be human? From all these articles about the heart, I’ve realized that the best is natural, and nothing can really beat the human heart, SO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE SURE TO EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!
Works Cited
(The work cited list is very broken, because blogger made me delete a lot of it so it could post...)
Altman, L. (1985, August 30). ARIZONA MAN GETS ARTIFICIAL HEART. Retrieved
March 8, 2010, from the New York Times:
Chicago Tribune wires. (1985, November 15). 1ST TO GET PENN STATE HEART DIES.
Retrieved March 8, 2010, from The Chicago Tribune:
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/25074334.html? dids=25074334:25074334&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Nov+15%2C+1985&author=Chicago+Tribune+wires&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=1ST+TO+GET+PENN+STATE+HEART+DIES&pqatl=go>>
Chicago Tribune wires. (1985, October 23). HEART PATIENT GOES INTO STUPOR; CRITICAL.
DYING MAN RECEIVES NEW TYPE OF ARTIFICIAL HEART. (1985, October 15).
Nelson, H. (1983, March 24). First Recipient of Artificial Heart Dies. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from
Los Angeles Times:
Roberts, B. (2010, February 16). Tot's bionic bid to beat blindness. Retrieved March 8, 2010, from
Mirror.co.uk News:
Sandhana, L. (2003, July 16). Bionic Eyes Benefit the Blind. Retrieved Feburary 17, 2010, from
Singer, E. (2006, September 21). An Artificial Heart That Doesn't Beat. Retrieved Feburary 16,
Weisman, R. (2009, June 29). Artificial heart's use marks milestone. Retrieved Feburary 17, 2010,
5 Left a Message:
Wow, what a well written and imformative blog!Technology has most definitely been able to enhance our knowledge of the human body. As you stated in your blog, the creation of the artificial heart gives us insight on how the body would react to this foreign object. Doctors and scientist are able to understand why this occurs and the problems that arise from it. Although it may take many more years for humans to be able to receive an artificial organ, scientists have still greatly benefited from these failures.
Hey Christina!
Your blog was so well written and gave me new insights. I never knew there was such a thing like an artificial heart ot the bionic eye. Although it hasn't given the most positive results, I think it's rather amazing. It really makes me think how far technology has developed over the years. Like, just recently I read about a swallowable sensor that is shaped like a pill, so that the more information on teh digestive system can be gained. Anyway, I Agree with what you said about how technological cures should only be given to patients who need it, and not to patients who want to be perfected. Afterall, I believe the best way to live life is au naturel. :)
P.S - Your last paragraph in your blog, actually got me thinking too. It's kinda cool to know how far technology will reach by the time we're 50. But what side will I be on, when robotic parts will be what everyone is resorting to?
Overall, I enjoyed your blog very much! :)
Hi Christina! :)
I honestly enjoy reading your blogs so much, because each and every blog of yours contains alot of of information that just builds up in my brain. Alike to my blog, I based it mostly on pacemakers, but i honestly NEVER knew that there was such thing as an artificial heart. I was so amazed while reading your blog, because every single thing was so educational, yet interesting. I strongly agree with Ana (from above) and on what you have stated about the technological cures should only be given to patients who are in need of it, rather than to those who just want these technological devices in becoming perfect. I loved the last sentence you put to your blog "From all these articles about the heart, I’ve realized that the best is natural, and nothing can really beat the human heart, SO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND BE SURE TO EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!" I really do love vegetables, and we should totally enforce that to every single little boy and girl who dislike eating these delicious, healthiness!
Great blog :)
Hey Miss.president!
after reading your bioblog, the thing that really stood out to me was the part about the bionic eye.
First of all, that sounds like something that came right out of a television show (remember Arthur and "Bionic Bunny" or a comic book. Second of all, I think it's pretty cool that scientists and technologists are trying to find a cure for the blind. But I can definitely see where some problems could potentially arise- like c'mon, who really wants to lend their eye for an experiment to see if these electronics work? I know I wouldn't!
So ya, it's great that these scientists are discovering so many new things about the human body, and in these discoveries, they are finding cures for diseases and illnesses (like the discovery of the cause for diabetes and how the pancreas could help to help patients survive). But at the same time, it kind of worries me- is there going to be a point where we begin to use our discoveries for bad reasons? will there be a point when we discover too much for our own good? well, it sounds like a science-fiction movies, but hey, it's possible. we just gotta watch out!
WOW!
Your bioblog was well written and i learned a lot! i never really thought about the new technologies that would better our lives in the way that designer babies get altered to have special features. When i read it, i was so shocked! artificial hearts! i've always that if you don't have a heart, you cant live. when you talked about our future generations possibly having robotic features it reminded me of this show bionic woman. She got in a car accident and has artificial everything in order to work. it's just scary and creepy thinking that one day everyone could be like robots. This just shows that every year new facts are discovered which could lead to the development of bionic humans. Scary!
Anyways...i loved your bioblog
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