Robert Tools
Encyclopedia
Robert L. Tools was the world's first recipient of a fully self-contained artificial heart
, called AbioCor
. The operation took place on July 2, 2001. He survived for 151 days without a living heart. Dr. Joseph Fredi at Saint Thomas Hospital
suggested the experimental procedure based on his knowledge of a research project by Abiomed. While recovering from surgery, Robert had the chance to enjoy some of his favorite past time hobbies, fishing and dining out. While at Jewish Hospital, Robert became renowned and received press throughout the world on shows like Cooking Network, Dateline, Jay Leno, and CNN. As a result of Robert's press, he received visits from Lt. Governors, The Oak Ridge Boys
, and Muhammad Ali
. While meeting with Ali, Tools earned the name "#1 Champ" because of his fight to survive. Due to continued complications of abdominal bleeding and a stroke, Robert died November 30, 2001.
Artificial heart
An artificial heart is a mechanical device that replaces the heart. Artificial hearts are typically used in order to bridge the time to heart transplantation, or to permanently replace the heart in case transplantation is impossible...
, called AbioCor
AbioCor
AbioCor is an artificial heart developed by the Massachusetts-based company AbioMed. It is fully implantable within a patient, due to a combination of advances in miniaturization, biosensors, plastics and energy transfer. The AbioCor runs on a rechargeable source of power...
. The operation took place on July 2, 2001. He survived for 151 days without a living heart. Dr. Joseph Fredi at Saint Thomas Hospital
Saint Thomas Hospital
Saint Thomas Hospital is a 541 acute care bed health care facility located in Nashville, Tennessee. The hospital sees 21,388 total admissions each year and 32,000 emergency room visits annually....
suggested the experimental procedure based on his knowledge of a research project by Abiomed. While recovering from surgery, Robert had the chance to enjoy some of his favorite past time hobbies, fishing and dining out. While at Jewish Hospital, Robert became renowned and received press throughout the world on shows like Cooking Network, Dateline, Jay Leno, and CNN. As a result of Robert's press, he received visits from Lt. Governors, The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in southern gospel during the 1950s...
, and Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
. While meeting with Ali, Tools earned the name "#1 Champ" because of his fight to survive. Due to continued complications of abdominal bleeding and a stroke, Robert died November 30, 2001.
See also
- Barney Clark, the first recipient of the Jarvik-7, a non-self-contained artificial heart.
External links
- http://www.heartpioneers.com/tools_bio.html
- http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/11/30/heart.htm