Bernard Lown
Encyclopedia
Bernard Lown, M.D.
(born June 7, 1921 in Utena
, Lithuania
) is the original developer of the defibrillator and is an internationally known peace activist
. International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
, an organization he helped to create, was awarded the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize for its work against nuclear proliferation. He now has a Cardiovascular Center in Brookline, MA called Lown Cardiovascular Center right in Coolige Corner, and a bridge named in his honor in the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine.
Born in Lithuania
, he emigrated at age 13 with his parents to the US, initially to Maine shortly before the outbreak of World War II, and subsequently studied to become a specialist in cardiology
.
in Orono and majored in Zoology. He graduated from the institution in 1942 and wrote an Honors Thesis entitled "Multiple Alleles in Sex Determination of the Parasitic Wasp, Harborbracon."
of the heart could be treated only by drug therapy. In 1956 American cardiologist Paul Zoll
published a paper describing resuscitation of open-heart surgery patients by means of a 110 volt alternating current electric shock (derived from a wall socket) and conducted to the sides of the exposed heart by metal plate "paddles". While being an advance in emergency resuscitation, the technique was later to be shown to be both damaging to the heart muscle and of unpredictable effectiveness in reverting ventricular fibrillation.
In 1959, Lown, aware of the Zoll paper and of the complications resulting from the alternating current method, commenced animal research in an endeavour to define a less traumatic and more effective form of electric shock.
This work resulted in what became known as the "Lown waveform"; a single heavily damped sinusoidal waveform with a half cycle time of approximately 5 milliseconds. The waveform was produced by charging a bank of capacitors to about 1000 volts, then discharging the capacitors through an inductor
to deliver the waveform to the heart.
Following the research findings, Lown contacted engineer Barouh Berkovits
of the American Optical Company, who produced a clinical prototype defibrillator (often referred to as a "cardioverter") which became the basis for further technological evolution. The original machine, weighing some 60 lb (27 kg), delivered the Lown waveform at energy levels up to 100 joule
s for exposed heart application, and 200–400 joules for transthoracic application.
and later the co-founder of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
. He also founded two organisations, SATELLIFE and ProCOR, which provide health information and assistance to developing countries. Additionally, in 1996 Dr. Lown founded the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Health Care, a group of clinician activists dedicated to achieving universal health care.
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
was awarded the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize.
Bernard Lown is currently Professor of Cardiology Emeritus at the Harvard School of Public Health
. He and his wife Louise have three children.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
(born June 7, 1921 in Utena
Utena
Utena is a city in north-east Lithuania. It is the administrative center of Utena district and Utena County. Utena is one of the oldest settlements of Lithuania. The name of the city is most probably derived from a hydronym. The name of the settlement has been known since 1261.Utena is an...
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
) is the original developer of the defibrillator and is an internationally known peace activist
Peace activist
This list of peace activists includes people who proactively advocate diplomatic, non-military resolution of political disputes, usually through nonviolent means.A peace activist is an activist of the peace movement.*Jane Addams*Martti Ahtisaari...
. International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
is a non-partisan federation of national medical groups in 63 countries, representing tens of thousands of doctors, medical students, other health workers, and concerned citizens who share the common goal of creating a more peaceful and secure world freed from the threat of nuclear annihilation...
, an organization he helped to create, was awarded the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize for its work against nuclear proliferation. He now has a Cardiovascular Center in Brookline, MA called Lown Cardiovascular Center right in Coolige Corner, and a bridge named in his honor in the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine.
Born in Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
, he emigrated at age 13 with his parents to the US, initially to Maine shortly before the outbreak of World War II, and subsequently studied to become a specialist in cardiology
Cardiology
Cardiology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the heart . The field includes diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and electrophysiology...
.
Education
Bernard Lown attended the University of MaineUniversity of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
in Orono and majored in Zoology. He graduated from the institution in 1942 and wrote an Honors Thesis entitled "Multiple Alleles in Sex Determination of the Parasitic Wasp, Harborbracon."
Development of the defibrillator
Up until the late 1950s, fibrillationFibrillation
Fibrillation is the rapid, irregular, and unsynchronized contraction of muscle fibers. An important occurrence is with regards to the heart.-Cardiology:There are two major classes of cardiac fibrillation: atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation....
of the heart could be treated only by drug therapy. In 1956 American cardiologist Paul Zoll
Paul Zoll
Paul Maurice Zoll was a cardiologist and one of the pioneers in the development of the cardiac pacemaker and cardiac defibrillator.-External links:*...
published a paper describing resuscitation of open-heart surgery patients by means of a 110 volt alternating current electric shock (derived from a wall socket) and conducted to the sides of the exposed heart by metal plate "paddles". While being an advance in emergency resuscitation, the technique was later to be shown to be both damaging to the heart muscle and of unpredictable effectiveness in reverting ventricular fibrillation.
In 1959, Lown, aware of the Zoll paper and of the complications resulting from the alternating current method, commenced animal research in an endeavour to define a less traumatic and more effective form of electric shock.
This work resulted in what became known as the "Lown waveform"; a single heavily damped sinusoidal waveform with a half cycle time of approximately 5 milliseconds. The waveform was produced by charging a bank of capacitors to about 1000 volts, then discharging the capacitors through an inductor
Inductor
An inductor is a passive two-terminal electrical component used to store energy in a magnetic field. An inductor's ability to store magnetic energy is measured by its inductance, in units of henries...
to deliver the waveform to the heart.
Following the research findings, Lown contacted engineer Barouh Berkovits
Barouh Berkovits
Barouh Berkovits is one of the pioneers of Bio-engineering, particularly the cardiac defibrillator and artificial cardiac pacemaker.-External links:*...
of the American Optical Company, who produced a clinical prototype defibrillator (often referred to as a "cardioverter") which became the basis for further technological evolution. The original machine, weighing some 60 lb (27 kg), delivered the Lown waveform at energy levels up to 100 joule
Joule
The joule ; symbol J) is a derived unit of energy or work in the International System of Units. It is equal to the energy expended in applying a force of one newton through a distance of one metre , or in passing an electric current of one ampere through a resistance of one ohm for one second...
s for exposed heart application, and 200–400 joules for transthoracic application.
Peace activist
In 1960 he was one of the founders of Physicians for Social ResponsibilityPhysicians for Social Responsibility
Physicians for Social Responsibility is the largest physician-led organization in the USA working to protect the public from the what they consider threats of nuclear proliferation, climate change, and environmental toxins...
and later the co-founder of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
is a non-partisan federation of national medical groups in 63 countries, representing tens of thousands of doctors, medical students, other health workers, and concerned citizens who share the common goal of creating a more peaceful and secure world freed from the threat of nuclear annihilation...
. He also founded two organisations, SATELLIFE and ProCOR, which provide health information and assistance to developing countries. Additionally, in 1996 Dr. Lown founded the Ad Hoc Committee to Defend Health Care, a group of clinician activists dedicated to achieving universal health care.
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War
is a non-partisan federation of national medical groups in 63 countries, representing tens of thousands of doctors, medical students, other health workers, and concerned citizens who share the common goal of creating a more peaceful and secure world freed from the threat of nuclear annihilation...
was awarded the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize.
Bernard Lown is currently Professor of Cardiology Emeritus at the Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health
The Harvard School of Public Health is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University, located in the Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill, which is next to Harvard Medical School. HSPH is considered a significant school focusing on health in the...
. He and his wife Louise have three children.