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G4EBT > IMPLNT 08.04.05 20:33l 116 Lines 4322 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 0F3978G4EBT
Read: GUEST DO3MI
Subj: Re: Cochlear Implant (NASA)
Path: DB0FHN<DB0THA<DB0HDF<DB0ERF<DB0HGW<ON0DXC<ON0RET<DB0RES<ON0AR<GB7FCR
Sent: 050408/1451Z @:GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU #:42732 [Blackpool] FBB-7.03a $:0F3978G4
From: G4EBT@GB7FCR.#16.GBR.EU
To : IMPLNT@WW
G'day possums.
Barry, VK2AAB wrote:-
Wayne, M5WJF:
>regarding a holiday, I do need to revise my plans for this year, since my
>trip to Denmark this summer to stay with friends may be cancelled due to
>my wife having a Cochlear Implant, for which I am grateful to the NASA
>Employee who invented it.
Barry:
> Actually the Cochlear implant was invented buy a medical scientist
> in Sydney, whose name I cannot remember,
I'm not trying to score points - just to provide information about this
wonderful invention, but it was indeed a NASA engineer who invented it.
See:
http://www.brightsurf.com/KSC_news_091302_b.html
Quote:
KSC: Cochlear Implant inventor recognized 25 years later
Sept. 13, 2002
Retired NASA engineer Adam Kissiah's design is proof that technology
developed today can benefit humankind years after its creation.
As a result of his hearing problem and three failed corrective surgeries,
Kissiah began researching other rehabilitative possibilities. In 1977,
with no medical background, he developed today's widely used cochlear
implant.
That personal quest, that lasted three years, not only benefited him but
many more. Popular radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has credited the
"medical marvel" for his ability to hear after a disease left him totally
deaf in his left ear and 80 percent in his right.
Unlike a hearing aid, which just makes sounds louder, this invention
selects information in the speech signal and then produces a pattern of
electrical pulses in the patient's ear. It is impossible to make sounds
completely natural, because a mere 22 electrodes are replacing the
function of tens of thousands of hair cells in a normally hearing ear.
"It replaces the function of the hair cells that have been damaged, lost
or destroyed by disease, drugs or trauma, or simply by inheritance," said
Kissiah.
Kissiah uses an analogy to simplify the process. "It would be like all the
inter-coastal waterway bridges in Florida being gone. If you were to
suddenly remove all those bridges, there could be no communication from
the mainland. The hair cells are the bridge -- the mechanical part of the
ear," he said.
Now, 25 years after the implant was patented, Kissiah is getting the
recognition he deserves by receiving an exceptional category NASA Space
Act Award, which includes an appropriate monetary award and a certificate
signed by the NASA Administrator.
According to Pam Bookman, KSC's Awards Liaison Officer, this points out
that we can always go back and capture awards. Bookman frequently
encourages KSC employees to report their significant contributions because
some may believe innovative thinking is just part of their job.
"Recognition for this important invention is long over due," said Bookman.
"This is the largest award ever received by a KSC inventor."
The Space Act Awards program was authorized under the Space Act of 1958 to
provide official recognition and to grant equitable monetary awards for
those inventions and other scientific and technical contributions that
have helped to achieve NASA's aeronautical and space goals. The awards are
also designed to stimulate and encourage the creation and reporting of
similar contributions in the future.
The fiscal year 2002 award amount of $190,850 is proportionately divided
among the four areas of awards, which are for software release,
publication in NASA TechBriefs, Patent applications, and Board Action
Awards.
Kissiah, though humbled about the recent attention, is also excited about
the honor.
"This is being done almost every day in medical centers in the country.
Regardless of what level of participation I had, it is nice to know I
contributed to making many lives better," he said. "That is indeed
special. It allows me to think I did something that helps."
End quote.
Copyright of brightsurf is acknowledged.
Quote of the day - "Hearing"
"Education commences at the mother's knee, and every word spoken within
the hearing of little children tends towards the formation of character".
Hosea Ballou (1796 - 1861)
73 - David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
Eddystone User Group Member
G-QRP Club Member No: 1339
QTH: Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
Message timed: 15:49 on 2005-Apr-08
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