Human Thoracic Anatomy Relevant to Implantable Artificial Hearts

Abstract
The human thorax is defined in a quantitative statistical manner so that the information will be useful to the designers of cardiac prostheses, total replacement and assist devices. The paper pertains specifically to anatomical parameters relevant to the total artificial heart. Methods were developed for generating an integrated, statistical model of the anatomical structures within the human thorax. The methods involve definition of the anatomy in 4 areas: chest wall, pericardium, vascular connection locations and great vessels. Results are presented in 3-dimensional scale views of the human thorax showing the main features pertinent to cardiac prosthesis implantation. Statistical variability of this data is included. Measurements were obtained from a number of sources and represent normal and diseased patients. The ERDA total artificial heart successfully fit the 50th percentile adult male human.

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