Closing a hole in the most fragile of hearts
Every baby is born with a hole in their heart. This blood vessel, called the ductus arteriosus, allows them to receive oxygen-rich blood from their mother while in the womb. After birth, the hole should naturally close over the first few days of life, letting the lungs and heart take over. But for thousands of babies each year, the hole doesn’t close properly — known as a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). When that happens it can threaten their already fragile life and become a house of cards.
One of health's biggest breakthroughs, that's also one of the smallest
Sometimes solving the biggest challenges means thinking small – very small.
At no bigger than a pea, our Amplatzer™ Piccolo is one of the smallest heart devices ever. Most importantly, Piccolo is the first U.S. approved device small enough to close a hole in the heart of a premature infant weighing as little as 700 grams (about 1.5 pounds). And because Piccolo is a minimally-invasive device, it can eliminate the need for riskier surgery.
A breakthrough that for thousands of future newborn lives, will keep open a lifetime of possibility.
"Irie's lifesaver"
Born prematurely at 27 weeks, Irie Felkner fought for her life in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Hear the story of one of the first newborns to receive this breakthrough device.
A future with better health and fuller lives
For every breakthrough, there’s another, even greater breakthrough, waiting to be discovered. The possibilities for human health and life’s potential are wide open. Whether it’s a life just starting out or one that’s experienced, Abbott’s technology can help create a future with better health. It’s the most personal technology, technology with the power to change your life.