About the Topic:
The field of mechanical circulatory support has advanced considerably in the two decades since Barney Clark and the Jarvik 7. While total artificial hearts have been the focus of media attention, ventricular assist devices (VADs) have quietly saved thousands of lives over the last twenty years. Used initially as a bridge to cardiac transplantation, VADs are now being used to provide permanent circulatory support to patients in end-stage heart disease, as an alternative to transplantation or medical therapy.

Drawing on thirty years of experience in LVAD research and development, Phil Miller will trace the history of mechanical circulatory support, from external pneumatic devices to implanted pulsatile systems to magnetically levitated turbine blood pumps. The focus will be on the evolution of the Novacor system, the first successfully implanted electromechanical VAD.

About the Speaker:
Phillip J. Miller is the Director of Biomedical Engineering at World Heart, Incorporated, Oakland, CA. With a background in mechanical engineering (MIT and UC Berkeley), he has been involved in the development of the Novacor VAD almost from its inception. Typical of a small company, he has worn many hats in his thirty years on the project. Roles have included system design, in vitro and in vivo testing, regulatory affairs, clinical training and field support.

Time:

6:00 p.m. No host cocktails

6:30 p.m. Dinner

7:30 p.m. Presentation

8:30 p.m. Question and Answer session/Closing

Menu (Choose One):

Grilled salmon alla bella

Chicken Piccata

Cost:

$25 ASME Members

$35 Non-ASME Members

$15 Students

Directions and Parking:

From San Francisco or the North:
Take 580 towards Hayward to 980 (downtown Oakland); exit 11th/12th Street. Go straight on Brush, left on 5th, right on Broadway, then four blocks to Jack London Square.

From the South:
Take 880 North to the Broadway exit; left on Broadway, then four blocks to Jack London Square.

From the East:
Take Highway 24 to 580 towards Hayward, to 980 (downtown Oakland). Take the 11th/12th Street exit, go straight on Brush, left on 5th, right on Broadway, then four blocks to Jack London Square.

From BART:
Exit at 12th Street Station and walk down Broadway [five (5) blocks] to Jack London Square.

RSVP by January 19, 2004 at (415) 721-4478 or rsvp@sf.asme.org include your name, number of guests and entree choice.