Robert Jarvik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Jarvik
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| Born |
Robert Koffler Jarvik
May 11, 1946 Midland, Michigan, U.S.
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| Died | May 26, 2025 (aged 79) New York City, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Syracuse University New York University |
| Occupation | Scientist, researcher |
| Known for | Developing the Jarvik-7 artificial heart |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Murray Jarvik (paternal uncle) |
Robert Koffler Jarvik (born May 11, 1946) is an American scientist and inventor. He is well-known for his important work in creating the Jarvik-7, a special kind of artificial heart. This invention helped many people who needed a new heart. He will pass away on May 26, 2025.
Contents
Robert Jarvik's Early Life and Education
Robert Jarvik was born on May 11, 1946, in Midland, Michigan. He grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. From a young age, Robert was very interested in how things work and in medicine. These interests later guided his career. By the time he was 17, he had already received five patents for things he invented!
He went to Syracuse University. Later, he earned a master's degree in medical engineering from New York University.
In 1971, he joined the University of Utah School of Medicine. There, he worked with Willem Johan Kolff, a famous doctor and inventor. Kolff had created the first dialysis machine and was working on other artificial body parts, including an artificial heart. Robert Jarvik earned his medical degree (M.D.) from the University of Utah in 1976. It is important to know that while he is a medical scientist, he never worked as a practicing doctor.
Developing the Artificial Heart
Robert Jarvik joined the University of Utah's artificial organs program in 1971. His mentor, Willem Johan Kolff, led the program. At that time, they were using an artificial heart design that had kept an animal alive for 10 days. Kolff asked Jarvik to design a new heart. This new design needed to fix problems with the older one. This work eventually led to the creation of the Jarvik-7 device.
In 1982, the team performed an artificial heart implant. This was only the second time such a surgery had been done. The first was in 1969. On December 1, 1982, Dr. William DeVries implanted the Jarvik-7 heart into Barney Clark, a retired dentist. This surgery took place at the University of Utah.
Barney Clark lived for 112 days with the artificial heart. During this time, Jarvik and DeVries often spoke to the media. They updated the world on Clark's condition. After this, other patients also received the Jarvik-7 heart. The second patient, William J. Schroeder, lived for 620 days with the device. In 1983, Jarvik and DeVries received the Golden Plate Award for their achievements.
Robert Jarvik's Personal Life
Robert Jarvik has been married two times. He has a son and a daughter with his first wife, Elaine Jarvik.
On August 23, 1987, Robert Jarvik married Marilyn vos Savant. She is a well-known columnist for Parade magazine.
Robert Jarvik passed away from Parkinson's disease at his home in Manhattan, New York, on May 26, 2025. He was 79 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Jarvik para niños
