c. 1969. Drs. Theodor Kolobow (right) and Warren Zapol developed an artificial placenta which kept fetal lambs alive. This work helped lead to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), when a machine replaces the heart and lung for long periods of time.

Theodor Kolobow (1931 – 24 March 2018)[1][2] was an American physician, scientist, physiologist, and inventor of medical devices, including the membrane oxygenator, common to most modern ventilators.

Early life and education

Theodor Kolobow was born in the town of Kärdla, Estonia. His father was a Russian Orthodox priest and lawyer. During World War II, he and his family spent time in a refugee camp in Augsburg, Germany, when forced to flee the invasion of the Russian Army. He learned to speak German, Russian, and English.

After World War II, at the age of 18, Kolobow and his family immigrated to the United States and he received a scholarship to attend Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio. He was reported to have arrived in the United States with "$20 and his father's crucifix in his pocket."[3] He graduated from Heidelberg College in 1954 with a degree in mathematics and physics. He graduated medical school at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in 1958.[4] As a first year medical student at Case Western, Kolobow worked in the laboratory of George H. A. Clowes on a project developing new methods to oxygenate blood during cardiopulmonary bypass.[4]

Kolobow completed his medical training as a house officer in internal medicine and pulmonology at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital. He married his wife, Danielle, in 1963 and had 4 children and 9 grandchildren.

In 1962 he completed his medical training in Cleveland and joined the U.S. Public Health Service. He joined the NIH National Heart Institute as a staff associate and remained at NIH for the rest of his career.[4]

Medical contributions

Kolobow invented the silicone rubber spiral coil membrane lung, for which NIH was issued a patent in 1970.[4]

Kolobow developed the artificial placenta with Warren Zapol and veterinarian Joseph Pierce in 1967.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ Lyons, Michele (2019-05-09). "A Look Back at the Legacy of Theodor Kolobow". NIH Intramural Research Program. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  2. ↑ "Theodor Kolobow, NIH researcher". The Washington Post. 12 May 2018. p. Obituaries: Community Deaths. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Gattinoni, Luciano; Pesenti, Antonio; Berra, Lorenzo; Bartlett, Robert (2018-05-01). "Ted Kolobow". Intensive Care Medicine. 44 (5): 551–552. doi:10.1007/s00134-018-5162-4. ISSN 1432-1238. PMID 29663042. S2CID 4955862.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Trahanas, John M.; Kolobow, Mary Anne; Hardy, Mark A.; Berra, Lorenzo; Zapol, Warren M.; Bartlett, Robert H. (2016). ""Treating Lungs"- The Scientific Contributions of Dr. Theodor Kolobow". ASAIO Journal. 62 (2): 203–210. doi:10.1097/MAT.0000000000000323. ISSN 1058-2916. PMC 4790827. PMID 26720733.
  5. ↑ Zapol, W. M.; Kolobow, T.; Pierce JEVUREK, G. G.; Bowman, R. L. (1969-10-31). "Artificial placenta: two days of total extrauterine support of the isolated premature lamb fetus". Science. 166 (3905): 617–618. Bibcode:1969Sci...166..617Z. doi:10.1126/science.166.3905.617. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 5823294. S2CID 9118733.
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