Internships at Thoratec Corporation/ St. Jude Medical

Thoratec Coorportation- Fighting Heart Failure

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventricular_assist_device#/media/File:Blausen_0621_LVAD.png

There are many medical devices out in the world that promise somewhat normal life for those who have heart failure.  But by far the coolest device is Thoratec Corporation's Heart Mate II device because patients that have the device have no heart beat.  No heart beat you say! How can this be?




Humans have been struggling with cardiovascular disease (heart disease) for decades.
There is a lot of research going into preventative medicine but the rate of people suffering from heart disease is still high.  New cases are reported each year and the number keep growing.  Biomedical device companies are starting to fight heart disease by making products for the people who are still suffering.  Thoratec Corporation is one of them.

The Hear Mate II device is called a "mechanical circulatory device," which is a fancy way of saying it is made of mechanical parts and pumps blood.  The device is used when those who suffer from complete heart failure (heart is not working) cannot get a transplant.  This device acts like a pump.  It is essentially like a faucet; you turn a faucet on and water flows.  Just like the faucet, you turn on the pump and the blood flows.

The device has what is called a continuous flow.  This means that the flow of the blood is continuous.  This is what causes the patients to have no heart beat.  (Well after all their heart is not working, the pump is).

Normally the human heart pumps blood in a pulsatile motion.  This is why you have the heart beat (lub -a-dub).  The heart sends blood and receives blood.  However, the Heart Mate II device has a motor in it and it never stops spinning.  The motor causes the blood to keep flowing.

This invention has saved thousands of lives.

Thoratec also offers students with internship opportunities. Generally, the internships are offered either in Human & Resources or Research & Development departments.

To obtain information for internships or career opportunities click here.