💓 Imagine getting a second chance at life thanks to rocket science! 🚀 That's exactly what happened to 25-year-old Li Haining from Shijiazhuang, a city in the Chinese mainland's Hebei Province.
Just over three years ago, Li was facing severe heart failure and was desperately waiting for a heart transplant. With few donors available, things looked bleak. \"I was prepared for the worst,\" Li recalled.
But thanks to an incredible breakthrough, Li's story took a thrilling turn. He became one of the first patients to receive an artificial heart powered by rocket technology! 🌠
The device, called \"HeartCon,\" was developed by TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital in Tianjin and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology—the geniuses behind China's rockets! 🌌
So how does it work? The artificial heart acts like a pump, driven by technology similar to a rocket's hydraulic system. It helps deliver blood throughout the body, easing the symptoms of heart failure.
Li now wears a small controller on his waist (think of it as a high-tech fashion accessory 😎), which monitors his heart's performance. A thin wire connects to a battery that keeps everything running smoothly.
Since his surgery in May 2021, Li's life has transformed. He's gained 12 kilograms, found a girlfriend ❤️, and even started supporting himself financially. Talk about a glow-up!
Li is just one of over 190 patients who have benefited from the HeartCon device. Some have even recovered so well that they've been able to have the artificial heart removed!
And here's the best part: because it's made in the Chinese mainland, the HeartCon is more affordable than similar devices from abroad. 🎉 The team is already testing a newer, lighter version called \"HeartCon II.\"
\"We will continue the collaboration between medicine and engineering to save more lives,\" said Liu Xiaocheng, head of TEDA Hospital.
This fusion of aerospace tech and medical science is not just a win for patients like Li—it's a beacon of hope for the estimated 16 million people in China suffering from heart failure.
Who knew that rocket science could be so heartwarming? 😊
Reference(s):
Rocket technology-powered device saves patients with heart failure
cgtn.com
