Dr. Willem H. Kolff

Artificial organ pioneer, Dr. Willem Kolff, passed away last week at his home in Philadelphia.  During his distinguished career, which started in his native country The Netherlands, he developed the artificial kidney, artificial eye, artificial ear, and made important improvements to the heart-lung machine.  He is best known, however, for his work on the artificial heart, which he developed while working at the Cleveland Clinic.  More than 780 artificial hearts have been implanted in patients worldwide, mostly to bridge a period until a transplant can be put in place.  Dr. Kolff’s extensive collection of heart designs are in the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.        MORE

Image Credit: Los Angeles Times