Our History

1989 Terumo Corporation selects Tetsuzo Akutsu, M.D., Ph.D., co-developer of the world’s first total artificial heart, to lead its Research and Development division.

1991 Cardiac surgeon and researcher, Chisato Nojiri, M.D., Ph.D., is chosen by Tetsuzo Akutsu, M.D., Ph.D to head a cardiac assist team at Terumo Corporation.

1994 Dr. Nojiri works with her team at Terumo’s Reseach and Development Center and NTN Corporation to complete research on a new ventricular assist system. The system uses a centrifugal pump with magnetic levitation to minimize friction in the blood chamber.

1997 In March of this year, animal studies begin to test the biocompatibility and durability of Terumo’s test pump. The prototype proves successful, setting a new experimental record in circulatory support by sustaining blood flow for 864 days.

2000 Terumo Corporation forms a new U.S. Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) division to bring its experimental LVAS from prototype through product realization.

2003 On January 1, 2003, Terumo Heart, Inc. (THI) becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Terumo Corporation. THI is formed to complete development of the DuraHeart LVAS.

2004 THI launches its first human clinical trial in Germany on January 15th, 2004. The primary objective of the trial is to test the safety and performance of the DuraHeart LVAS in the treatment of end-stage heart failure.