A French company, Carmat, claims that it has the technology for an artificial heart to replace a damaged or diseased heart. This company is in its final stages of ‘preclinical testing’ and is hoping to start human testing by end of 2011 and introducing this technology to the market by end of 2013.

This artificial heart is made of synthetic and animal tissue. It is implanted in patient’s chest and uses sensors to gather information for the natural organ activity. It is operated by a ‘microcontroller’ and powered by electromagnetic induction through skin or a plug behind patient’s ear.

It is estimated for this device to cost approximately $315,000 including hospital and surgical expenses. The Lasker Foundation says by this technology they had “prolonged and enhanced the lives of millions of people with heart disease.”