NOVA chronicles the story of a handful of brilliant surgeons and researchers who have pursued the target of a practical artificial heart for decades. The website contains a wonderful map of the human heart, amazing heart facts,...

A biography and profile of Willem Johan Kolff, an internist who developed artificial organs and limbs and the first heart-lung machine for use in open-heart surgery. Also includes a profile of the artificial heart surgeon he collaborated...

Find a timeline of important medical inventions of the 20th century. Inventions include the first electrocardiograph, the first kidney dialysis machine, the first plastic contact lens, and the first artificial heart.