Dr. Kolff
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Dr Willem Johan Kolff, born 14 January 1911 in Leiden, is considered as the father of artificial organs and regarded as one of the most important physicians of the twentieth century.
First blood bank in Europe
After graduating from Leiden University he continued as a resident in internal medicine at Groningen University. In 1940 he organised the first blood bank in Europe. He then developed the first functioning artificial kidney and was later instrumental in the development of both a heart-lung machine and an artificial heart, the first of which was implanted in 1980.