5/1/2021 30 Years/30 Devices : 1979 : The 1980s : The 1990s : The 2000s : Older

A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that helps a weak heart pump
blood through the body. It is o en called a “bridge to transplant” because it can help
patients survive until they get a new heart. The BVS 5000, a biventricular assist
system manufactured by Abiomed, was the first VAD to earn FDA approval. It has
supported thousands of patients since entering the market. Most recently, VADs have
evolved to provide long-term support to patients with congestive heart failure.

Smart Infusion Systems 1992

Infusion pumps have been around for at least 30 years. But certain
patient safety–related features, such as tools to ensure that
patients receive the correct dosage, didn't appear until decades
Image courtesy of later. In 1992, Kendall McGaw developed the Horizon infusion
B. BRAUN system (now part of B. Braun Medical's pipeline)—the first system Image courtesy of
MEDICAL with a dose-rate calculator. Future iterations added more safety ABIOMED
features, including a drug library inside the pumps (1994) and an integrated bar
coding system (2001). Such advances, which are also found in the modern Outlook Safety Infusion
System pictured here, have helped significantly reduce pump-related IV medication errors.

Headless Cannulated Bioabsorbable Interference Screw 1994

The headless cannulated interference screw has replaced many metal screws for
anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery in the knee. The titanium
screw was released in 1991 and was followed by a bioabsorbable screw three years
later. The advantage of the bioabsorbable screw is that the body resorbs the
polymer, replacing it with bone, so there is no need for a second surgery to remove
Photo courtesy of
the screw (as sometimes is the case when using metal screws). To accelerate
ALASKA
reincorporation rates, the screw has been made with human cortical and bovine
ORTHOPEDIC
bone as well. Surgeons are also now using the screws for posterior cruciate, lateral
LABS
collateral, and medial collateral ligament (MCL) procedures. Its use has led to the
development of other cannulated interference screws and anchor devices for applications in the wrist,
elbow, shoulder, hip, and ankle.

Palmaz-Schatz Balloon Expandable Stent 1994

The Palmaz-Schatz balloon expandable stent was a cutting-edge device that changed
the game for coronary artery obstructions. The bare-metal stent was approved in
August 1994 and made it clear that the new wave of treatment (stents) solved
problems that balloon angioplasty alone could not. Johnson & Johnson held a
critical patent relating to inflation-deployed stents, and this device enjoyed a period
of market dominance once it debuted. The treatment options this device provided
were an important stepping stone to the drug-eluting stent.

Medical Lasers 1995

Image courtesy of
CORDIS CORP. Even now, many industry observers say that the surface has only
b h d ih di l l d h i i l M di l l
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