Former Vice President Dick Cheney is still a candidate for a heart transplant, but some believe he may not need one. Sources close to the Cheney family said the 69-year-old is considering using a new piece of technology inserted into his chest last week permanently.

Although Cheney has not confirmed exactly what device he received, at the moment, the HeartMate II is the one heart assistance device commonly used for long stretches of time.

The latest version in a series of heart pumps, the HeartMate II, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for long-term use in patients with advanced stage heart failure in January. It is an approval that came after years of testing and patient trials, which took place in Rochester.

"This takes over for my heart so that I have energy. I have color," said Teena Anger of Hamburg, New York.

A massive heart attack permanently damaged Anger's heart. She was eventually diagnosed with congestive heart failure. For the last two years, her heart has had some help. Anger is one of 58 patients through Rochester's Strong Hospital hooked up to the HeartMate II.

"They talk about transplant, but I don't think I want to go that route," Anger said.

The device is much different than the original bulky artificial hearts. Rather than mimicking the pulsating pumping action of the heart, the HeartMate II is continuously spinning of like a jet turbine. This better circulates the blood, lessening the work load on a damaged heart.

"It's an assistance device. We don't take out the heart but we use it to help pump the blood," said Strong Hospital Senior Transplant Cardiologist Dr. Leway Chen.

Because there aren't enough organs to keep up with the rate of heart failure, Chen said the device was tested and is now being viewed as a permanent option.

"The engineers tell us, and they've done lots of analysis, that the pumps will last six to 10 years. And maybe at someone could get another pump we can swap it out. We have done that when it's needed to be done," Chen said.

The one potential weak spot is where the cord, connecting the machine to the heart, passes through the skin.

"And that must be that one little spot where that got the germy in there. And that's what started the infection," said Anger.

It's a drawback that sent Anger to the hospital, but a risk she said is worth it.

"It's nothing, because the quality of life is there," said Anger.

Anger said having the same heart pump as Dick Cheney is pretty cool too.

"I was first! Or before him I should say," Anger added.

The HeartMate II weights about eight pounds and runs on battery power.

The batteries used to power this device are getting smaller and more powerful each year. Some can last up to 12 hours at a time. At night, patients are advised to hook up to an electrical base that can be plugged into the wall.