Ford was former CEO of SynCardia Systems, a manufacturer of FDA, Health Canada and CE approved Total Artificial Heart.

A director of SynCardia since May 2004, Ford became CEO and president in July 2005.

He joined the board of directors for MicroMed Cardiovascular in July 2008.

Ford brings more than 40 years of leadership to MicroMed, having founded numerous companies including AlphaGraphics Printshops Of The Future, PetsHotel and Anthem Equity Group.

MicroMed’s HeartAssist 5 is CE approved for use in Europe and undergoing an FDA clinical study in the US

Ford said the field of Mechanical Circulatory Support has been narrowed to virtually four: Thoratec, HeartWare, SynCardia and MicroMed.

MicroMed manufactures HeartAssist 5 left ventricular assist device (LVAD), an implantable blood pump that increases blood flow through the failing left ventricle of the heart, which is responsible for pumping blood to the body.

The HeartAssist 5 LVAD, with a precise, direct flow measurement system and wireless home monitoring, can be implanted above the diaphragm, adjacent to the heart.