Robert Fischell , PhD

Consultant
Research and Development

Dayton, MD

Robert Fishell worked at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory full time for more than 30 years where he contributed to APL's satellite navigation work, and later developed a rechargeable implantable pacemaker that could be programmed with radiowaves. He and his team at Hopkins also helped miniaturize the implantable cardiac defibrillator. Mr. Fischell went on to invent the implantable insulin pump, numerous coronary stents used to open clogged arteries and two extraordinary feedback systems that provide early warning of epileptic seizures and heart attacks. Fischell founded Angel Medical Systems Inc., where his son David is CEO, to bring this technology into clinical use. Angel is one of more than half a dozen companies, including Pacesetter Systems, IsoStent, NeuroPace, and NeuraLieve, that Fischell has founded since 1969 to develop his inventions. Fischell's contributions to the field of biomedical technology have earned him numerous honors, including the NASA Exceptional Engineering Award in 1980, the NASA Space Act Award in 1984, the Inventor of the Year for 1984, and in 2005 he was awarded the TED Prize for his work in designing a portable Transcranial Stimulator to treat migraines drug-free. He was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame in 1988. Robert E. Fischell received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Duke University in 1951, and an M.S. in physics from the University of Maryland in 1953. He was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Maryland in 1996. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.