University of Cape Town Mitral Valve

University of Cape Town Mitral Valve

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description (Brief)
Also called the toilet plunger valve because of its remarkable resemblance to the inner workings of a toilet, this valve was designed by Christiaan Barnard of the University of Cape Town, South Africa. This valve had been implanted and eventually explanted. Notice the worn and discolored cloth suture, and the wear of the silicone disc. The valve has a low profile and the principal causes of death with this valve were thromboembolism.
Dr. Barnard (1922-2001) was inspired by the way in which the water tank in a toilet functions, and he saw similarities with the human heart. Due to the tiny metal ring which held the 'plunger' in place, clotting occurred. In spite of that, this valve was implanted in humans. In an interview donor Manny Villafana explained, "you've gotta understand that there was no answer (a workable artificial heart valve) and everyone was looking for an answer." This is why the valve was used, in spite of thrombosis and thromboembolism. These issues led to its eventual discontinuation.
Barnard is best known for the dramatic headline grabbing first human-to-human heart transplant in 1967.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
cardiology
artificial heart valve
date made
1965
place made
South Africa: Western Cape, Cape Town
Physical Description
cloth (overall material)
metal (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 1.9 cm x 3.6 cm; 3/4 in x 1 13/32 in
ID Number
2015.0031.19
catalog number
2015.0031.19
accession number
2015.0031
Credit Line
Gift of Manuel Villafaña
subject
Cardiology
Prosthesis
Artificial Organs
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Medicine
Artificial Heart Valves
Health & Medicine
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.