There's nothing like concern for your fellow man to spur innovation. It's an incubator that hatches innovations which give us better--or, at least longer--lives.
Several Design News Engineers of the Year have the incubator to pioneer medical technology. The late Rowland "Red" Reddington (CT and MRI machines), Terry Haber (safe needles), Vic Poirier (heart-assist devices), and Dean Kamen (portable infusion pumps) shared a common vision of finding ways to use their engineering skills to help their fellow man. Wise, civic-minded, and forward-looking corporations and non-profit groups helped support their efforts. They're all part of the incubator.
Now, the generosity of another Design News Engineer of the Year, the late independent inventor Jerome H. Lemelson, has benefitted another medical pioneer. Recently, biomedical engineer Robert Langer received the Lemelson-MIT prize for his work in biomaterials research and technology.
Langer specializes in controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering. His work has led to a variety of novel drug-delivery systems, including the first FDA-approved treatment for brain cancer in 20 years, and the first polymer-based treatment to deliver chemotherapy directly to the tumor site. A recent study on implants based on his delivery systems indicates that more than five times as many people are still alive at the end of two years than with other ways of treating brain tumors.
Like the others who have targeted their technical skills at medical problems, he was moved early in his career by the plight of sick people. The incubator effect took over, and thousands of people are better off because of it.
New logo, same promise
Check out this issue's cover and you'll find the new logo for Cahners Business Information, which publishes Design News. The funnel-shaped mark symbolizes our commitment to filter the vast amount of information on design so we can give just what will help you most in your job.That's the promise we have always made to you, and with our new logo we re-dedicate the magazine to that effort.
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