Joseph A Fisher

Over the last 15 years my laboratory has advanced the science of controlling blood gases in spontaneously breathing and ventilated subjects. We have led the way in applying this to advance the understanding of cardio-respiratory physiology and the control of brain blood flow. We have applied our technology and methods to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as diagnostic tests that are capable of assessing the neurological and ocular vascular component of a number neurological and ocular diseases.

Our work has translated into actual products to improve health. Examples include:

• A small, inexpensive and easy to apply portable device that can eliminate carbon monoxide from the blood as fast as a hyperbaric chamber. The same principle applies to accelerate the elimination through the lungs of any volatile hydrocarbon including solvents, ethanol and inhaled anesthetics.
• A small, 55 lb self-contained critical care and monitoring system currently used to provide life support to badly injured soldiers during initial resuscitation and evacuation.
• A precise, versatile anesthetic delivery module for civilian use, but sufficiently rugged to provide anesthesia outside the strict operating room environment, such other locations inside or outside of a hospital. Whereas most anesthetic machines weigh more than 40 kg, our module weighs less than 3 kg.

I have a clinical background in anesthesiology and internal medicine. I have supervised approximately 25 graduate students; have authored or co-authored about 145 peer-reviewed publications; have 30 issued patents; and about a dozen patents pending related to the above mentioned, as well as other, areas.