(May 11, 1946- )
Born in Midland, Michigan
Developed the Jarvik-7 artificial heart
Jarvik-7 was first implanted in patient Barney Clark (December 2, 1982)

Although he received an MD degree, he was never licensed to practice medicine.
He wore surgical scrubs at press conferences updating Clark's condition.
Patients receiving the Jarvik-7 usually either suffered debilitating strokes due to blood clotting or developed life-threatening infections caused by the incisions required to attach the artificial heart to an external compressor.
The health problems led to a ban on the permanent implantation of the Jarvik-7.
He became a spokesperson for the anti-cholesterol medication Lipitor.
He is married to Marilyn Vos Savant.

He invented several surgical tools as a teenager.
He became interested in medicine after his father underwent open-heart surgery.
The Jarvik-7 can be used for up to 30 days on patients waiting for transplants.
He has continued improving the Jarvik-7, writing that the ultimate artificial heart must be 'more than functional, reliable and dependable. It must be forgettable.'

Credit: C. Fishel

http://aia.li/21431

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• Boston Phoenix's 100 Unsexiest Men in the World [April 2008] (Ranked: 49)
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• Inventors
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• Profiles 21251-21500 (Ranked: 21431)