Robert Tools made a groundbreaking contribution by being the first person to have a self-contained artificial heart implanted. His surgery, which took place in 2001, marked a major milestone in the field of cardiovascular medicine and the development of life-saving technology.

The artificial heart he received was a significant leap forward in terms of technology, as it was the first to be fully self-contained, meaning it didn’t require external pumps or power sources. It was also an important moment in the conversation around organ transplants and artificial replacements for vital organs.

His appearance on national television in August 2001 after the procedure was a way to show the world the success of the operation and how the artificial heart was working.