WK
Top 0.01% — Titan Historical Figure
Willem Kolff
Nephrology · Artificial Organs
Salt Lake City, Netherlands
50 H-Index
728 Total Impact
GLLasker Award0
GLJapan Prize0
GLAlbert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research0
Overview
Willem Kolff was a nephrology specialist who invented the artificial kidney dialysis machine in 1943. Father of artificial organs. Based in Salt Lake City, United States.
For Patients
- Pioneered 3 medical techniques including Artificial kidney (hemodialysis machine) and Membrane oxygenator
- Based at University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Netherlands
Biography
Willem Kolff was a Dutch-American physician who invented the first practical artificial kidney dialysis machine in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. He is also a pioneer of the artificial heart and is considered the father of artificial organs.
Affiliations & Institutions
Research Impact
1 Publications
0 Total Citations
Published In
Acta Med Scand
Key Publications
The artificial kidney: a dialyser with a great area
Areas of Expertise
Pioneering Techniques
Medical Specialties
Clinical Knowledge & Procedures
Legacy Timeline
The life and contributions of Willem Kolff
1943
Built first artificial kidney
Constructed a dialysis machine from sausage casings and orange juice cans during the Nazi occupation
1945
First successful dialysis
Saved the life of a 67-year-old woman using his artificial kidney
1957
Joined Cleveland Clinic
Established artificial organs department and continued innovating
1967
Moved to University of Utah
Led development of the artificial heart program that led to the Jarvik heart