World Heart identifies battery problem
World Heart Corp WHT
Shares issued 14,078,743 Aug 31 close $14.90
Wed 1 Sept 99 News Release
Mr. Robert Howes reports
World Heart has determined the cause of the battery cell failure announced on July 16, and the required corrective action. ?We are pleased to announce that the battery problem has been clearly identified and the required correction is in process. An improvement in the technology controlling the flow of current to the internal battery during recharging is now being made. We are also pleased that no change is required in either the battery technology or the supplier selected for HeartSaverVAD?, Dr. Tofy Mussivand said.
The battery failure was the result of a defect in a printed circuit board (PCB) which controls the power flow to the internal battery during recharging. This defect circumvented the charging and protection circuitry resulting in power being supplied to the battery at a rate substantially in excess of specified recharging rates.
Technical design adjustments are being made to eliminate any potential for recurrence of this problem. Production and testing of the revised PCB will require 10 to 14 weeks, with finished product, including this component, available in January, 2000.
?HeartSaverVAD operates using an external power supply, transferred to the device by World Heart?s patented TET (transcutaneous energy transfer) system. The internal battery, for which the recharging improvement is in process, is used to permit removal of the TET for up to 1-1/2 hours. Bench and animal trials will continue in the fourth quarter, using a temporary replacement for the internal battery,? Dr. Mussivand said. Subject to approval by Health Canada, clinical trials of HeartSaverVAD are expected to begin in the first half of 2000.
WARNING: The company relies upon litigation protection for ?forward-looking? statements.
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