Barouh Berkovits

Barouh V. Berkovits
Born Lucenec, Czechoslovakia
Died October 23, 2012
Fields Biomedical Engineering
Institutions Medtronic
Notable awards Distinguished Scientist Award from the Heart Rhythm Society

Barouh Berkovits (May 7, 1926 – October 23, 2012[1]) was one of the pioneers of bio-engineering, particularly the cardiac defibrillator and artificial cardiac pacemaker.[2] In particular, Berkovits invented the 'demand pacemaker' and the DC defibrillator.[3]

Berkovits was born in Czechoslovakia. His parents and sister perished at Auschwitz. He immigrated to the United States in the 1950s, and worked for the pacemaker company Medtronic from 1975 until his retirement. In 1982, Berkovits received the 'Distinguished Scientist Award' from the Heart Rhythm Society.[4]

References

  1. "Barouh Berkovits Obituary: View Obituary for Barouh Berkovits by Levine Chapels, Brookline, MA". Obits.dignitymemorial.com. 1926-05-07. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  2. "Biography of Barouh V. Berkovits". Author.hrsonline.org. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  3. Kirk Jeffrey (2001). Machines in Our Hearts: The Cardiac Pacemaker, the Implantable Defibrillator, and American Health Care. The Johns Hopkins University Press.
  4. Levy S, Medina-Ravell VA, Castellanos A (2013). "Barouh V. Berkovits, MSEE (1926-2012)". Heart Rhythm 10 (3): 411. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2013.01.010.