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Text Box: Documenting first-hand accounts of the scientists, engineers, clinicians, and patients involved in artificial organ research, development and use.

Text Box: Pioneer Interview Series

Text Box: Willem Kolff, M.D., PhD—inventor of the artificial kidney; leader in artificial heart research Michael DeBakey, M.D., PhD — early researcher on the total artificial heart & clinical use of ventricular assist devices George Schreiner, M.D.—clinical work in dialysis; drug protocol Clarence Dennis, M.D.—early cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery Albert Starr, M.D.—artificial heart valves Belding H. Scribner, M.D.—clinical work in dialysis; shunt for chronic treatment Adrian Kantrowitz, M.D., PhD—cardiac assist devices investigator; developed intra-aortic balloon pumps Ted Kolobow, M.D.—artificial lungs Tetsuzo Akutsu, M.D., PhD—developer of a total artificial heart Leo Vroman, M.D.—blood surface interactions Richard Sarns—cardiopulmonary bypass & industry development Jospeh Murray, M.D.—organ transplantation (Nobel Laureate) William Murphy Jr., M.D.—investigator of implantable electric devices Among many others !

Text Box: Purpose The Pioneer Interview Series will capture the personal stories — both the trials and triumphs behind the scenes — for the documentary record of artificial organ history. These interviews will complement the documents, records and published papers. Scope Project Bionics is working on the identification of those ASAIO pioneers who have been and/or continue to be key contributors in all areas of artificial organ developments. We aim to document the events and personal experiences from historical participants — scientists, engineers, clinicians, patients — in several ways, including: 1) Video interviews in laboratories, hospitals or museums that allow us to focus on the devices and environment to better understand the process of innovation and realization, as well as the significance of the contribution; 2) Audio interviews conducted at medical conferences or within professional or personal settings by colleagues to document a pioneer’s personal experiences of past events or innovations; 3) Written narratives generated through surveys, emails and/or letters that allow historical participants to present their first-hand account of events as well as comment or respond to the personal experiences of others. Publication The ASAIO Scholar and Project Bionics Work Group will work towards compiling and editing a database of these first-hand accounts for the purposes of presentation in historical displays and articles. Copies of interviews conducted will be preserved and made accessible by the sponsoring agencies of Project Bionics.