Milwaukee Heart Project
Sinai Samaritan Medical Center, Aurora Health Care
The project was an effort to design a totally implantable synthetic heart. The project was spearheaded by well-known Milwaukee heart surgeon Robert J. Flemma, after he developed a progressive heart-weakening disorder called idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Doctor Flemma eventually died while waiting for a heart transplant.
CAD
model was refined for
easier machining and access for polishing to ultra high luster finish.
Master
models were machined from acrylic
stock. The master had to be highly polished to medical grade standards
to inhibit potential platelit rupture and subsequent clotting.
Master
was used to create and RTV (rubber) mold that could be used to cast
replicas. RTV picks up the surface quality of the master and replicates
this in the copies. Various other clamping rings were also need for
arterial attachment to the device.