In Memorian – Dov Jaron (1935 -2024)

In September 2024, the biomedical engineering community lost forever Professor Dov Jaron, a
researcher and inventor who gave a significant contribution to development and implementation
of devices for supporting human cardiovascular system. Most members will remember Prof. Jaron
as the President of the IFMBE from 2000 to 2003.
Dov Jaron is Calhoun Distinguished Professor of Engineering in Medicine, School of Biomedical
Engineering, Science and Health Systems, and Professor of Electrical Engineering, Drexel
University.
Dr. Jaron was the leader of the engineering team that developed the first in-series cardiac assist
device, called the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). The IABP is a temporary mechanical support
device that supports the heart in pumping blood by inflating/deflating a balloon in the aorta in the
heartbeat rhythm. These devices are today used regularly to support patients’ failing circulation.
Dov was a 2006 Fellow of the IFMBE International Academy of Medical and Biological
Engineering. A more comprehensive biography describing his achievements and activities in the
international BME community can be found at https://iambe.ifmbe.org/fellow/dov-jaron/ and in
the obituary published by Drexel University https://drexel.edu/biomed/news-and-events/news/2024/September/Dov-Jaron-Pioneer-of-Biomedical-Engineering/dov-jaron/.