Thoratec was founded in 1976 and was finally granted FDA approval to use the Thoratec VAD in the late 1990's. This device works just like a heart and helps pump blood and assist the ventricle that is badly damaged. The devices can be used to bridge waiting for a real heart. The unique thing about this unit is that it also comes with components to test the device. Comes with its own hard case brief case , cords and pump tester. Last photo shows another unit we have in stock along with an early pacemaker (each sold separately) .