Robert Fischell
Encyclopedia
Dr. Robert Fischell is a physicist, inventor, and holder of more than 200 U.S. and foreign medical patents. His inventions have led to the creation of several biotechnology companies. He worked at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory full time for 25 years, and part time for an additional 13 years. He contributed to APL's satellite navigation work, and later developed a rechargeable implantable pacemaker that could be programmed with radiowaves, (Pacesetter Systems
Inc., purchased by Siemens, now the CRM division of St. Jude Medical
). He and his team at Hopkins also helped miniaturize the implantable cardiac defibrillator
. Dr. Fischell went on to invent the implantable insulin pump
(MiniMed, spun off from Pacesetter Systems
, Inc. in 1985), numerous coronary stents used to open clogged arteries (IsoStent, Inc. merged with Cordis
, in turn purchased by Johnson & Johnson
), and two extraordinary feedback systems that provide early warning of epileptic seizures (NeuroPace, Inc.) and heart attacks (Angel Medical Systems, Inc.). Fischell recently donated $30 million to the University of Maryland College Park Foundation to establish a bioengineering department and an institute for biomedical devices at the A. James Clark School of Engineering
.
In 2005, he was awarded the TED
Prize, receiving $100,000 and three wishes, including a braintrust on medical liability and the successful design of a device to cure migraines.
Dr. Fischell received his B.S.
in Mechanical Engineering
from Duke University
in 1951 and M.S. in Physics
from the University of Maryland
in 1953. He was awarded an honorary doctorate
from the University of Maryland in 1996.
He has 3 sons (from oldest to youngest), David, Tim, and Scott Fischell. He is currently married to Susan R. Fischell and they live in Maryland.
Pacesetter Systems
Pacesetter Systems Inc. was a biotechnology company founded by Alfred E. Mann in 1965. The company manufactured various implantable medical devices invented by Robert Fischell and the rest of the team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory...
Inc., purchased by Siemens, now the CRM division of St. Jude Medical
St. Jude Medical
St. Jude Medical, Inc. is a $16 billion global medical device company, with headquarters in Little Canada, Minnesota, United States, a suburb of St. Paul. The company sells products in more than 100 countries and has over 20 operations and manufacturing facilities worldwide. Its principal...
). He and his team at Hopkins also helped miniaturize the implantable cardiac defibrillator
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a small battery-powered electrical impulse generator which is implanted in patients who are at risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The device is programmed to detect cardiac arrhythmia and correct it...
. Dr. Fischell went on to invent the implantable insulin pump
Insulin pump
The insulin pump is a medical device used for the administration of insulin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, also known as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy.The device includes:...
(MiniMed, spun off from Pacesetter Systems
Pacesetter Systems
Pacesetter Systems Inc. was a biotechnology company founded by Alfred E. Mann in 1965. The company manufactured various implantable medical devices invented by Robert Fischell and the rest of the team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory...
, Inc. in 1985), numerous coronary stents used to open clogged arteries (IsoStent, Inc. merged with Cordis
Cordis
Cordis may refer to:* Cordis , a medical device company owned by Johnson & Johnson* Community Research & Development Information Service...
, in turn purchased by Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
), and two extraordinary feedback systems that provide early warning of epileptic seizures (NeuroPace, Inc.) and heart attacks (Angel Medical Systems, Inc.). Fischell recently donated $30 million to the University of Maryland College Park Foundation to establish a bioengineering department and an institute for biomedical devices at the A. James Clark School of Engineering
A. James Clark School of Engineering
The A. James Clark School of Engineering is the engineering college of the University of Maryland, College Park. The Clark School of Engineering is nationally ranked and consistently considered to be among the Top 20 engineering programs in the United States. The school consists of fourteen...
.
In 2005, he was awarded the TED
TED (conference)
TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
Prize, receiving $100,000 and three wishes, including a braintrust on medical liability and the successful design of a device to cure migraines.
Dr. Fischell received his B.S.
Bachelors Of Science
Bachelors of Science is the stage name of Phil "Rene", Chris and Lukeino. They met in California and formed a successful act, quickly becoming one of the top drum and bass producers in the electronic music scene...
in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
in 1951 and M.S. in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
in 1953. He was awarded an honorary doctorate
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from the University of Maryland in 1996.
He has 3 sons (from oldest to youngest), David, Tim, and Scott Fischell. He is currently married to Susan R. Fischell and they live in Maryland.
External links
- Duke University Biography
- Dr. Fischell's introductory video at TED Conference 2005.
- TED Prize Wish: Robert Fischell on medical inventing at TEDTED (conference)TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
in 2005