In the early days of artificial heart medicine, the artificial heart systems were not the compact portable devices that have evolved through medical technology. When Dr. Barney Clark and William Schroeder received their artificial hearts, the devices were much more bulky and cumbersome.
The early artificial hearts were driven by pneumatic control units about the size of a shopping cart. The air driven control units were connected to the chambers of the artificial heart by cylindrical hoses that were tunneled under the skin. The hoses were then connected to the drive unit, which was the powerhouse of the artificial heart.
The pneumatic drive control unit had to be set and monitored by human intervention. For Dr. Barney Clark, this job was the responsibility of W.L. Hastings, chief technician for Dr. William Devries' surgical team. Hastings monitored the output of the artificial heart and adjusted the stroke volumes and the pumping speed to achieve the output of blood volume needed to sustain the bodily functions of Dr. Clark.
Hastings started out at the University of Utah working alongside the great Dr. Willem Kolf, Dr. Devries, and Dr. Robert Jarvik. Implantations of the artificial heart were completed in calves before ever being attempted in humans. Prior to that, the artificial hearts were run continuously on the engineering bench and monitored for potential problems in cardiac output and mechanical failure of the components.
When Dr. Devries left the University of Utah, Hastings moved with him to continue his work with the Jarvik 7 team. Hastings was instrumental in monitoring the console system of William Schroeder’s surgery, and assisting with the intensive training required to be able to transfer Mr. Schroeder from the main control unit to a portable device that would allow him to be ambulatory. The transition to the portable device had to be smooth and precise as the patient was without a heartbeat during the transition. Dr. Barney Clark was never transitioned to the portable device due to his delicate health status.
Hastings earned his place in medical engineering history along with the other members of the Jarvik 7 team. His contributions were essential to the success of the procedures and the artificial heart program in general.