Julio Palmaz
Early Life and Education
Julio Palmaz was born on October 13, 1945, in La Plata, Argentina. He developed an interest in medicine at a young age, which led him to pursue a medical degree at the National University of La Plata. After graduating in 1971, Palmaz decided to specialize in Radiology, a branch of medicine that uses imaging to diagnose and treat diseases within the body.
Career
In 1977, Palmaz moved to the United States to further his career in radiology. He began working at the University of California, Davis, where he conducted research on vascular interventions. His work led him to invent the Balloon-expandable Stent, a device that is used to open up blocked arteries and veins. This invention revolutionized the field of interventional cardiology and has saved countless lives.
In 1988, Palmaz and his business partner, Richard Schatz, sold the patent for the balloon-expandable stent to Johnson & Johnson. The company commercialized the product under the name "Palmaz-Schatz Stent". This stent became the first of its kind to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994.
Palmaz continued to innovate in the field of interventional cardiology. He founded Palmaz Scientific in 2008 with the aim of developing advanced medical devices. The company's research led to the creation of the Palmaz Blue Stent, a device that uses a unique alloy to provide superior flexibility and durability.
Legacy
Palmaz's contributions to the field of interventional cardiology have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2006 for his invention of the balloon-expandable stent. His work has also been acknowledged by the American Heart Association, which awarded him the prestigious Prince Mahidol Award in 2013.
Despite his numerous achievements, Palmaz remained humble and dedicated to his work. He believed that the true measure of success was not in accolades, but in the number of lives saved through his inventions.