Human thoracic anatomy relevant to implantable artificial hearts.

The objective of this study is to define the human thorax in a quantitative statistical manner such that the information will be useful to the designers of cardiac prostheses, both total replacement and assist devices. This paper pertains specifically to anatomical parameters relevant to the total artificial heart. Methods were developed for generating an integrated, statistical model of the anatomical structures within the human thorax. These methods involve definition of the anatomy in four areas: chest wall, pericardium, vascular connection locations, and great vessels. Results are presented in three dimensional scale views of the human thorax showing the main features pertinent to cardiac prosthesis implantation. Statistical variability of this data is also included. Measurements were obtained from a number of sources and represent both normal and diseased patients. The ERDA total artificial heart was shown to successfully fit the fiftieth percentile adult male human.