A male Maltese dog, Kanune, wears an emerald tiara worth 150 million baht ($4.2 million) during a dog fashion show in Bangkok April 23, 2009. The tiara consists of 153 karats of emeralds built with a titanium body and decorated with more than 100 karats of diamonds. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

A male Maltese dog, Kanune, wears an emerald tiara worth 150 million baht ($4.2 million) during a dog fashion show in Bangkok April 23, 2009. The tiara consists of 153 karats of emeralds built with a titanium body and decorated with more than 100 karats of diamonds. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND SOCIETY ANIMALS) 

A staff places a Swarovski sticker with a titanium ball, sized 1mm, on a pressure point of an ear during a demonstration of "Slim B'z" diet method, which they say is a combination of fashion and a pressure point treatment to suppress appetite, at the Diet and Beauty Fair 2008 in Tokyo August 25, 2008. The event runs until August 27. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN) 

A Malagasy worker walks along an access track at mining giant Rio Tinto's project to construct an ilmenite (iron titanium oxide) mine in Fort Dauphin on Madagascar's south-eastern coast in this April 26, 2007 file photo. Blackouts and delays to big new projects across Africa are hampering aluminium makers keen to cash in on rising metal prices driven by surging Asian demand. To match ALUMINIUM-AFRICA/CAPACITY REUTERS/Ed Harris/Files (MADAGASCAR) 

A detail of the titanium covering of the Guggenheim museum is seen in Bilbao October 17, 2007. The museum celebrates its tenth anniversary on Friday. REUTERS/Vincent West(SPAIN) 

A Malagasy worker walks along an access track at mining giant Rio Tinto's project to construct an ilmenite (iron titanium oxide) mine in Fort Dauphin, on Madagascar's south-eastern coast April 26, 2007. The mine is expected to begin production in the coming years and is one of the enormous Indian Ocean island's two most advanced mining projects. Madagascar hopes its mineral wealth and improving business climate will help lift the country from widespread poverty. It also seeks to avoid the resource curse of misspent wealth and wasted opportunity that has affected many African countries. REUTERS/Ed Harris (MADAGASCAR) TO MATCH FEATURE MADAGASCAR-MINING 

A Malagasy Malagasy woman pounds cassava as a construction lorry passes behind near mining giant Rio Tinto's project to construct an ilmenite (iron titanium oxide) mine in Fort Dauphin, on Madagascar's south-eastern coast April 26, 2007. The mine is expected to begin production in the coming years and is one of the enormous Indian Ocean island's two most advanced mining projects. Madagascar hopes its mineral wealth and improving business climate will help lift the country from widespread poverty. It also seeks to avoid the resource curse of misspent wealth and wasted opportunity that has affected many African countries. REUTERS/Ed Harris (MADAGASCAR) TO MATCH FEATURE MADAGASCAR-MINING 

A Malagasy boy herds his cattle in front of mining giant Rio Tinto's project to construct an ilmenite (iron titanium oxide) mine in Fort Dauphin, on Madagascar's south-eastern coast April 26, 2007. The mine is expected to begin production in the coming years and is one of the enormous Indian Ocean island's two most advanced mining projects. Madagascar hopes its mineral wealth and improving business climate will help lift the country from widespread poverty. It also seeks to avoid the resource curse of misspent wealth and wasted opportunity that has affected many African countries. REUTERS/Ed Harris (MADAGASCAR) TO MATCH FEATURE MADAGASCAR-MINING 

Sid Shamnath, investment manager at Titanium Capital, speaks at an industry summit at Reuters headquarters in London, April 5, 2006. REUTERS/Catherine Benson 

Sid Shamnath, investment manager at Titanium Capital, speaks at an industry summit at Reuters headquarters in London, April 5, 2006. REUTERS/Catherine Benson 

Tourists watch workers placing a drum at the north colonnade of the Parthenon temple in Athens during restoration works October 15, 2004. The purpose of the current restoration project, in process since 2000, is to correct previous architectural intervention at the temple. The cement filings are replaced with new ones of Pentelic marble and the restored parts are reinstalled in their original positions with titanium clamps. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis YK/GB 

Workers carry a piece of marble in front of the Parthenon temple in Athens during restoration works October 15, 2004. The purpose of the current restoration project, in process since 2000, is to correct previous architectural intervention at the temple. The cement filings are replaced with new ones of Pentelic marble and the restored parts are reinstalled in their original positions with titanium clamps. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis YK/JV 

Workers place a drum at the north colonnade of the Parthenon temple in Athens during restoration works October 15, 2004. The purpose of the current restoration project, in process since 2000, is to correct previous architectural intervention at the temple. The cement filings are replaced with new ones of Pentelic marble and the restored parts are reinstalled in their original positions with titanium clamps. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis YK/GB 

Workers place a drum at the north colonnade of the Parthenon temple during restoration works October 15, 2004. The purpose of the current restoration project, in process since 2000, is to correct previous architectural intervention at the temple. The cement filings are replaced with new ones of Pentelic marble and the restored parts are reinstalled in their original positions with titanium clamps. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis YK/GB 

Workers carry a piece of marble in front of the Parthenon temple during restoration works October 15, 2004. The purpose of the current restoration project is to correct previous architectural intervention at the temple. The cement filings are replaced with new ones of Pentelic marble and the restored parts are reinstalled in their original positions with titanium clamps. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis YK/GB 

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry (R) comforts Ray Raschilla Jr., a locked out worker from a local plant, at a Town Hall meeting in Austintown, Ohio, October 3, 2004. Raschilla is one of hundreds of workers at RMI Titanium that have been on the picket line for almost a year. REUTERS/Jim Young US ELECTION JY 

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry (L) laughs at a button worn on a man's hat on the picket line outside the titanium plant in Niles, Ohio, October 3, 2004. The workers have spent almost a year on the picket line after being locked out in October 2003. REUTERS/Jim Young US ELECTION JY 

U.S. Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry (C) speaks to picketers outside the RMI Titanium plant in Niles, Ohio, October 3, 2004. The workers have spent almost a year on the picket line after being locked out in October 2003. REUTERS/Jim Young US ELECTION JY/HB 

- PHOTO TAKEN 25MAR03 - A Chinese worker solders titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. 

- PHOTO TAKEN 25MAR03 - A Chinese worker puts titanium golf club heads into a furnace at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. 

- PHOTO TAKEN 25MAR03 - A Chinese worker arranges titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. 

- PHOTO TAKEN 25MAR03 - A Chinese worker demonstrates the process of making titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. 

- PHOTO TAKEN 25MAR03 - A Chinese worker packs titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. 

A Chinese worker packs titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. REUTERS/Claro Cortes CC/TW 

A Chinese worker demonstrates the process of making titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25,2004. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV CC/TW 

A Chinese worker arranges titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25,2004. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV CC/TW 

A Chinese worker puts titanium golf club heads into a furnace at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25,2004. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV CC/TW 

A Chinese worker solders titanium golf club heads at Shanghai Taishan Golf Manufacturing Co Ltd March 25, 2004. China gobbles up one tenth of the world's titanium to feed red-hot industrial growth and one overlooked swing factor in the long term may be the country's love affair with golf. Vendors from Callaway to Nike are counting on rip-roaring growth to drive a new generation of status-conscious Chinese devotees of golf, once the preserve of the rich. Picture taken March 25, 2004. REUTERS/Claro Cortes IV CC/TW 

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) heads inside the front door of the closed and abandoned Youngstown Sheet and Tube Works steel mill with Dale McCormick (R), a laid off titanium plant worker, as Kerry toured the mill with laid-off and unemployed steelworker union members in Struthers, Ohio, February 24, 2004. Kerry is spending the day campaigning in Ohio as he continues his "Jobs Tour" of the "Super Tuesday" battleground states across the nation. REUTERS/Jim Bourg US ELECTION JRB 

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) talks with steelworkers Gary Steinbeck (L), Sub-District Director of the United Steelworkers Union, and Dale McCormick (R), a laid off titanium plant worker, as Kerry tours the closed Youngstown Sheet and Tube Works steel mill with laid-off and unemployed steelworkers in Struthers, Ohio, February 24, 2004. Kerry is spending the day campaigning in Ohio as he continues his "Jobs Tour" of the "Super Tuesday" battleground states across the nation. REUTERS/Jim Bourg US ELECTION JRB/GAC 

University of Tokyo Professor Kazuhito Hashimoto speaks as he holds powdered titanium dioxide, a pigment commonly used in cosmetics and white chocolate, at his research laboratory in Tokyo October 28, 2003. The technology utilizing titanium dioxide's attribute which acts as a photocatalyst holds such promise for removing nitrous oxide and other petrochemical by-products of fossil fuels from the air and water that supporters have called it a "green technology" as important as the solar cell. TO ACCOMPANY FEATURE TECH-JAPAN-PHOTOCATALYST REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao YN 

A giant Amorphophallus titanium plant nicknamed "Mr. Stinky" starts to bloom in front of spectators at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, May 12, 2003. In addition to being the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world, in June of 1998 "Mr. Stinky" was the first Amorphophallus titanium plant to bloom in the United States since 1939. Originally thought to die after blooming, this Titan is the first in the United States to put on three spectacular, smelly showings and has grown to an amazing seven feett and one inch. The titan is known for it's intensely powerful stench that lasts for over eight hours. 

A giant Amorphophallus titanium plant nicknamed "Mr. Stinky" starts to
bloom at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, May
12, 2003. In addition to being the largest unbranched inflorescence in
the world, in June of 1998 "Mr. Stinky" was the first Amorphophallus
titanium plant to bloom in the United States since 1939. Originally
thought to die after blooming, this Titan is the first in the United
States to put on three spectacular, smelly showings and has grown to an
amazing seven foot and one inch. The titan is known for it's intensely
powerful stench that last for over eight hours. REUTERS/Marc Serota

MS/ME 

John Schlesinger and his five year old daughter Alexandra watch as a
giant Amorphophallus titanium plant nicknamed "Mr. Stinky" starts to
bloom at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Coral Gables, Florida, May
12, 2003. In addition to being the largest unbranched inflorescence in
the world, in June of 1998 "Mr. Stinky" was the first Amorphophallus
titanium plant to bloom in the United States since 1939. Originally
thought to die after blooming, this Titan is the first in the United
States to put on three spectacular, smelly showings and has grown to an
amazing seven foot and one inch. The titan is known for it's intensely
powerful stench that last for over eight hours. REUTERS/Marc Serota

MS/ME 

A giant Amorphophallus titanium plant nicknamed "Mr. Stinky" starts to
bloom with spectators watching at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in
Coral Gables, Florida, May 12, 2003. In addition to being the largest
unbranched inflorescence in the world, in June of 1998 "Mr. Stinky" was
the first Amorphophallus titanium plant to bloom in the United States
since 1939. Originally thought to die after blooming, this Titan is the
first in the United States to put on three spectacular, smelly showings
and has grown to an amazing seven foot and one inch. The titan is known
for it's intensely powerful stench that last for over eight hours.
REUTERS/Marc Serota

MS 

A giant Amorphophallus titanium plant nicknamed "Mr. Stinky" starts to bloom
in front of spectators at the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Coral Gables,
Florida, May 12, 2003. In addition to being the largest unbranched
inflorescence in the world, in June of 1998 "Mr. Stinky" was the first
Amorphophallus titanium plant to bloom in the United States since 1939.
Originally thought to die after blooming, this Titan is the first in the
United States to put on three spectacular, smelly showings and has grown to
an amazing seven feett and one inch. The titan is known for it's intensely
powerful stench that lasts for over eight hours. PP03050047 ODLY
REUTERS/Marc Serota 

Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan smiles as he attends a news conference for the movie line-up 2002-2003 season of a Hong Kong film production company in Hong Kong October 31, 2002. Chan will star in the upcoming movie "Titanium Rain". 

Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan smiles as he attends a news conference
for the movie line-up 2002-2003 season of a Hong Kong film production
company in Hong Kong October 31, 2002. Chan will star in the upcoming
movie "Titanium Rain". REUTERS/Kin Cheung

BY/JS 

Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan (L) and director Stanley Tong pose at
a news conference for the movie line-up 2002-2003 season of a Hong Kong
film production company in Hong Kong October 31, 2002. Jackie Chan will
star in the upcoming movie "Titanium Rain". REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/JS 

(From L-R) Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan, director Gordon Chan, pop
stars Leon Lai and Andy Lau pose at a news conference for the movie
line-up 2002-2003 season of a Hong Kong film production company in Hong
Kong October 31, 2002. Jackie Chan will star in the upcoming movie
"Titanium Rain". REUTERS/Kin Cheung

KC/JS 

Lasers light up the Guggenheim museum during a show marking the fourth
anniversary of its inauguration late October 29, 2001. The show, by
Japanese artist Hiro Yamagata, coincides with a retrospective
exhibition of the titanium-clad building's architect, Frank Gehry.
REUTERS/Vincent West

SP 

A physician assistant Linda Semonis prepares the battery-powered titanium-and-plastic artificial heart and components for implant surgery during the world's first implant of the mechanical heart at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky July 2, 2001. The middle-aged patient implanted with a mechanical heart was off a ventilator for a short time and managed to breathe on his own, but his weakened condition led doctors to return him to the breathing assist device, hospital officials said on Thursday. The unnamed patient, a man in his 50s who was on the brink of death, underwent seven hours of surgery on Monday to implant the first artificial heart to be totally contained within the body. 

Surgeons Laman A. Gray, M.D., and Robert D. Dowling, M.D., performs the world's first implant of the battery-powered titanium-and-plastic artificial heart at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, July 2, 2001. The middle-aged patient implanted with a mechanical heart was off a ventilator for a short time and managed to breathe on his own, but his weakened condition led doctors to return him to the breathing assist device, hospital officials said on Thursday. The unnamed patient, a man in his 50s who was on the brink of death, underwent seven hours of surgery on Monday to implant the first artificial heart to be totally contained within the body. 

Spanish model Daniel Balbi presents a neoprene and titanium outfit designed by Konrad Muhr during the ready to wear winter 2002 collection at Gaudi Fashion Week in Barcelona February 6, 2001. The fashion show will run until February 9. 

SPANISH MODEL DANIEL BALBI PRESENTS AN OUTFIT OF KONRAD MUHR WINTER 2001-2002 COLLECTION AT GAUDI FASHION WEEK.


Spanish model Daniel Balbi presents a neoprene and titanium outfit designed by Konrad Muhr during the ready to wear winter 2002 collection at Gaudi Fashion Week in Barcelona February 6, 2001. The fashion show will run until February 9. 

A woman observes one of the titanium-tiled walls of the Guggenheim museum which have become tarnished by dark stains just three years after its high-profile inauguration in Bilbao January 10, 2001. According to reports, museum authorities have decided to carry out a "spring cleaning" sometime after Easter, to try and rid the museum of the stains which some experts have accredited to pollution.

PH/CRB 

Apple CEO Steve Jobs gestures during his keynote address at the Macworld Conference and Expo at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco January 9, 2001. Jobs unveiled the new Mac Powerbook G4 Titanium notebook computer during his address. 

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveils the new Mac Powerbook G4 Titanium notebook computer at the Macworld Conference and Expo at the Moscone Convention Center January 9, 2001. The new Powerbook G4 is only one inch thick and according to Jobs, is the fastest notebook computer in the world. The G4 will go on sale at the end of January. 

Apple CEO Steve Jobs gestures during his keynote address at the Macworld Conference and Expo at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco January 9, 2001. Jobs unveiled the new Mac Powerbook G4 Titanium notebook computer during his address.

LD/TRA 

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveils the new Mac Powerbook G4 Titanium notebook computer at the Macworld Conference and Expo at the Moscone Convention Center January 9, 2001.The new Powerbook G4 is only one inch thick and according to Jobs, is the fastest notebook computer in the world. The G4 will go on sale at the end of January.

LD 

Sunset is reflected on Bilbao's Guggenheim museum late June 9. The museum, designed by American architect Frank Gehry, is covered by titanium panels of different shapes.
??» 

Sunset is reflected on Bilbao's Guggenheim museum late June 9. The museum, designed by American architect Frank Gehry, is covered by titanium panels of different shapes.

ES/CLH/ 

German heart specialist Roland Hetzer (L) and U.S. heart specialist George Noon (R) implant the new DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump, the latest advancement in artificial heart technology during an operation at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 13 as U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey (C) looks on. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey, George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston/Texas and the NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sell for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc. 

German heart specialist Roland Hetzer, who implanted the new DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump for the first time in the world shows the latest advancement in artificial heart technology at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 17. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey, George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston/Texas and the NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sell for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc. 

German heart specialist Roland Hetzer, who implanted the new DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump for the first time worldwide shows the latest advancement in artificial heart technology at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 17. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey, George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston/Texas and the NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sell for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc. 

U.S. physician George Noon of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, who works with German heart specialist Roland Hetzer, looks at the new DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart pump at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 17. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey and George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and in conjunction with NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient at Berlin's German Heart Centre on November 13. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sells for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc. 

A prototype of the DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump, the latest advancement in artificial heart technology is shown in the picture implanted for a test into a human body during a heart opperation in this undated file photo. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey, George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston/Texas and the NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13 in Berlin's German Heart Centre by the German heart specialist Roland Hetzer. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sell for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc. 

The DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump is the latest advancement in artificial heart technology shown with its power supply at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 17. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey and George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas in conjunction with NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13 in Berlin by the German heart specialist Roland Hetzer. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sells for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc.

FAB/KM 

German heart specialist Roland Hetzer, who implanted the new DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump for the first time in the world shows the latest advancement in artificial heart technology at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 17. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey, George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston/Texas and the NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sell for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc.

FAB/ME 

German heart specialist Roland Hetzer, who implanted the new DeBakey titanium miniaturized heart assist pump for the first time worldwide shows the latest advancement in artificial heart technology at Berlin's German Heart Centre November 17. The device, developed by renowned U.S. physicians Michael DeBakey, George Noon at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston/Texas and the NASA, was implanted for the first time worldwide in a 56-year-old German patient on November 13. The development of the pump cost $15-20 million and sell for about $50,000. The DeBakey Ventricular Assist Device System (VAD) is produced by U.S.-based medical firm MicroMed Technology, Inc.

FAB/ME