Birt Man Fitted With World's First Battery-Powered Heart Pump

A 60-year-old man Britain has become the world's first to be fitted with battery-powered heart pump as he was too ill to survive a transplant after heart failure.

Barry Wade has been allowed to leave hospital and live at home after tiny three-inch titanium heart pump -- HeartMate II -- was fitted in him, The Sun reported.

The pump is charged by two portable batteries the patient carries in a shoulder bag.

Heart pumps normally need power from the mains. But this is a new portable version, attached to the heart by tubes. It was developed in the US.

Wade had the pump fitted at the University Hospital of South Manchester.

"I have a new chance of life and I am looking forward to the birth of my new grandson next month. I feel privileged to pioneer this device," said Wade, a resident of Macclesfield, Cheshire, and a father of four.

Source: IANS