Father of Artificial Organs - The story of medical pioneer Willem J. Kolff (1911-2009).

Abstract

This biography of serial inventor and medical doctor Willem J. ("Pim") Kolff is written by scientific/historical journalist Herman Broers. The book provides an objective and multi-perspective account of the life and work of Dr. Kolff, who put an undisputed mark on the history of organ-replacement devices by secretly inventing the first clinically functioning hemodialysis machine (in a Nazi-occupied Holland) and later in the United States leading the team that realized the first implantable fully artificial heart. Besides offering a solid historical account, the book also describes the present revival of innovation in the artificial kidney field and contains valuable lessons for a broad variety of readers. Suitable for an audience ranging from medical professionals interested in technology & technologists interested in medicine, to patients & their families, as well as policy makers & research funding parties. The review of this scientific/historic book was composed using the recommendations of Gupta for book reviews of scientific and technical books. Additionally, the reviewer team, composed of a biomedical engineer, a dialysis patient, and a nephrologist, tried to distil some lessons that may be learned from the book.