Kolff – In Memoriam

Willem J. Kolff, M.D., Ph.D., distinguished professor emeritus of surgery and internal medicine is widely considered the “father” of artificial organs, passed away at the age of 97 on February 11, 2009, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Dr. Kolff invented the artificial kidney (dialysis machine) and played a key role in the development of the artificial heart and the artificial eye. Even at the age of 93 he was actively involved in the development of artificial lungs. Developing and exploiting the possibilities of artificial human organs as a means to “restore people to an enjoyable existence” was his primary objective. Dr. Kolff developed the first successful artificial kidney in 1945 by saving the first patient. Millions of patients worldwide have benefited from life-sustaining hemodialysis thereafter. He implanted the first total artificial heart in an animal in 1957. His artificial heart is still in use, in subsequent designs, as a bridge to transplantation in patients with heart failure. Dr. Kolff was born in Leiden in the Netherlands, on Feb 14, 1911, where he received his medical and doctoral degrees. After World War II, in 1950, Dr. Kolff and his family came to the United States to join the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio as a researcher. At Cleveland, he turned to the study of cardiovascular problems and built one of the first heart-lung machines, a device that made open-heart surgery possible for the first time. He also improved his dialysis machine. At University of Utah Dr. Kolff continued his work on the artificial heart and in 1982, under his supervision; the first “permanent” artificial heart was implanted in a human patient, Barney Clark, who survived 112 days. During mid seventies while one of us (CPS) was in Utah, Wearable Artificial Kidney was also being developed on experimental stage; CPS still remembers the morning meetings and lively discussion sessions with visitors and his faculty. Dr. Kolff’s lectures used to be very inspiring in particular to the graduate students and young faculty. In fact CPS was very happy to receive his personal mail related to TAH implantation of his group along with exciting results that no clotting was observed. Dr. Kolff officially retired in 1986, but continued to work as a research professor and director of the Kolff Laboratory at the University of Utah until 1997. Over his long career, Dr. Kolff received numerous awards for his work, including the 2002 Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research, one of the highest honors in American medicine, as well as more than 12 honorary doctorates from universities all over the world. He was an Honorary Member of the Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs (India). Dr. Willem J Kolff was an active advocate against nuclear weapons, and enjoyed nature and art. He is survived by his five children, 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. With every act of kindness, Every smile and word of cheer, you built a lasting monument in the hearts that mourn you here. Chandra P Sharma Willi Paul