Skip to main content
  • Main menu
Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
  • Home
  • Tags
  • Medicine, health, and life sciences

Medicine, health, and life sciences

Filter By
  • All
  • Video & Interactive
  • Text
  • Audio
  • Activity
Found 104 Stories
Block print in black and white, showing stylized  tree, river, house, sun, and clouds
Beyond Words

Inventing Green: Inventor Profiles

Contemporary inventors in diverse fields are committed to "inventing green." Here are a few of their stories . . .

Female health professional with tablet computer, stock photo via Shutterstock
Blog

DIY Innovation in the Hospital

Scientists, clinicians, and patients have always been do-it-yourself innovators.

Universal AED sign
Blog

A Heartfelt Story

The invention of the AED—the automated external defibrillator—saves lives every day.

DNA illustration
DO Try This at Home!

Extract DNA at Home!

Detailed instructions included!

A leather helmet worn by Gerald Ford while playing football for Michigan in the 1930's. From Wikimedia Commons.
Invention Stories

Football Helmet Technology

As the parent of a high school football player who suffered a minor concussion two years ago and a huge football fan, it’s both reassuring and fascinating to observe the advancements being made in helmet technology.

Diagram of ACDF surgery
Invention Stories

Bionic Repair

As I continue to recover from my recent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery, I can’t help but feel a bit like the “Six Million Dollar Man.” I can almost hear the bionic sound effect that was the staple of Lee Major’s TV character, Steve Austin (I’m leaking the proximity of my a

Medical Alley MN poster
Beyond Words

Podcast: Historian David Rhees Tours the "Medical Alley" Hot Spot

How did Minnesota spawn a world-class cluster of medical device companies?

Clifton Poodry
Beyond Words

Podcast: Clifton Poodry is Fostering Greater Diversity in Science

Clifton Poodry draws on his Native American heritage to support aspiring scientists.

The Jarvik artificial heart
Beyond Words

Podcast: Robert Jarvik's Inventions Keep on Pumping

In this interview, Robert Jarvik donates his work to the Smithsonian and we examine an early artificial heart that preceded Jarvik's inventions.

Inventor Sharon Rogone looking at a premature baby in a hospital bed
Beyond Words

Podcast: Sharon Rogone Invents for Preemies, Part 2 (of 2)

Sharon Rogone, a neonatal nurse-turned-inventor, talks about her inventions and how they help preemies.

The Jarvik artificial heart
Beyond Words

Podcast: Robert Jarvik Mends Broken Hearts

Artificial heart pioneer Robert Jarvik talks about his career helping those with failing hearts.

Ashok Gadgil, 1998
Beyond Words

Podcast: Ashok Gadgil Inspires Future Inventors, Part 2 (of 2)

Ashok Gadgil talks about his work to improve health in the developing world.

Ashok Gadgil, 1998
Beyond Words

Podcast: Ashok Gadgil's Thirst to Save Lives, Part 1 (of 2)

Ashok Gadgil's invention can save thousands of lives by purifying water quickly and cheaply.

Wilson Greatbatch
Beyond Words

Podcast: Wilson Greatbatch Makes Hearts Beat

Wilson Greatbatch speaks from the heart about inventing the implantable cardiac pacemaker.

Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: The Right To Sight: Patricia Bath

Trailblazer Dr. Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe for the treatment of cataracts and continues to passionately fight for the prevention, treatment, and cure of blindness.

Wilson Greatbatch
Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: Making Hearts Beat: Wilson Greatbatch

Meet Wilson Greatbatch, a prolific American inventor who developed the first successful implantable cardiac pacemaker that has saved millions of lives. "Don't fear failure. Don't crave success. The reward is not in the results, but rather in the doing."

Ashok Gadgil, 1998
Invention Stories

Innovative Lives: UV Waterworks—Ashok Gadgil

Ashok Gadgil invented a portable, low-cost, and efficient water purifier that utilizes ultra-violet light to render viruses and bacteria harmless.

Archives

Shriners Hospital Patient Isolation Unit Records, 1956-1981 (bulk 1969-1972)

Inventor Name Maley, Matthew Repository Archives CenterNational Museum of American HistorySmithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.202-633-3270http://americanhistory.si.edu/archives

MIND database logo for non-Smithsonian archival materials
Archives

Roger J. Williams Papers, 1920-1988

Inventor Name Williams, Roger J.

MIND Database Logo - partner held archival materials
Archives

Guide to the Neal Lane Papers, circa 1980-2000

Inventor Name Unknown

See More Stories

VIEW 2258 Matching Results

Found 2258 Stories

  • Agriculture and horticulture (Relevance: 5.0930026572188%)
  • Air and space (Relevance: 7.3073516386182%)
  • Chemistry (Relevance: 3.0558015943313%)
  • Food and drink (Relevance: 2.9229406554473%)
  • Industry and manufacturing (Relevance: 7.2630646589903%)
  • Maritime (Relevance: 3.1443755535872%)
  • Medicine, health, and life sciences (Relevance: 4.3844109831709%)
  • Military technology (Relevance: 3.5872453498671%)
  • Mining and drilling (Relevance: 3.5872453498671%)
  • Patents and trademarks (Relevance: 11.691762621789%)
  • Photography, film, television, and video (Relevance: 3.2772364924712%)
  • Power generation, motors, and engines (Relevance: 3.6758193091231%)
  • Research and development (Relevance: 3.1000885739593%)
  • Telegraph, telephone, and telecommunications (Relevance: 3.4543844109832%)
  • Textiles and clothing (Relevance: 2.7900797165633%)
  • Transportation (Relevance: 6.0673162090345%)
❯
Go to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History website

About Menu

▼
Open menu
▲
Close menu
  • Explore
    • African American Inventors
    • Invention Stories
    • Places of Invention
    • Blog
    • Beyond Words
  • Study
    • Research Opportunities
    • Archives
    • Lemelson Center Books
    • Lemelson Center Research
    • Symposia & Conferences
  • Try
    • Spark!Lab
    • Spark!Lab Network
    • DO Try This at Home!
    • Encouraging Innovative Thinking
  • About
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • News
    • Who We Are
    • FAQ
    • Donate
  • Multimedia
  • Tags
  • Surprise Me
  • Search
  • Open Drawer
Copyright 2019, Smithsonian Institution, All Rights Reserved
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
Twitter Facebook Tumblr Email Print