Look, Ma, No Pulse!

Oh, the pulse. So 2005.

In today's bit of OMG medical news, a Canadian man has received a heart device that pumps on a continuous basis.

The new mechanical heart, which is powered by batteries located inpouches on [the patient's] body, provides a continuous flow of blood sothe patient has no pulse.

[He] happens to be the only individual currently living inCanada without a pulse and without a measurable blood pressure,” [a doctor] said Wednesday.

The device is reportedly being tested in Canada and the U.S., so some Americans might be going around pulseless too.

At right is the patient, riding a bicycle holding the device that got implanted into his body.

Question: If he doesn't have a pulse, how do quickly you figure out if he's alive or dead, such as during a medical emergency?

Man with no pulse considered a medical breakthrough [Blogger note: Duh!] [Canadian Press]

Elsewhere in this week's Bodyhack:

WHO (are those dead people in "Casino Royale")

WHAT (is a researcher doing with psychotic Americans)

WHERE (your blood type reveals your personality)

WHEN (will cell biologists ever learn)

WHY (Indians don't fit into condoms... but are fighting back)

HOW (your beer belly might fuel the world)