zoom_in Click to enlarge

Robert Jarvik

▲ ▼

description Robert Jarvik Overview

Robert Jarvik is an American physician and biomedical engineer associated with the development of the Jarvik-7 total artificial heart. The device was implanted by surgeon William DeVries in Barney Clark in December 1982 as a permanent replacement rather than a temporary bridge to transplantation. Jarvik's work belongs to the field of mechanical circulatory support for patients with severe heart failure.

help Robert Jarvik FAQ

Who was the first recipient of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart?

The first permanent implant of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart was performed on Seattle dentist Barney Clark by surgeon William DeVries on December 2, 1982, at the University of Utah. Clark survived for 112 days on the device before dying from multiple complications.

Is Robert Jarvik a medical doctor?

Robert Jarvik holds an M.D. from the University of Utah, which he earned after being denied admission to several American medical schools. He worked in the artificial heart program under Willem Kolff, the pioneering Dutch-born physician-inventor who is considered the father of artificial organ development.

Is the Jarvik-7 still used today?

The Jarvik-7 is no longer used as a permanent total heart replacement, but modified versions of the device were used as a bridge-to-transplant in the 1980s and 1990s. Modern artificial heart technology has since evolved toward smaller, more durable continuous-flow designs produced by companies like SynCardia.

How long did Barney Clark live with the Jarvik-7?

Barney Clark lived for 112 days after receiving the Jarvik-7 implant in December 1982. His prolonged survival was considered remarkable at the time, though he experienced serious complications including seizures, infections, and kidney failure before his death in March 1983.