Past Forward: The First Inkjet Printer Was a Medical Device

IF 2.4 4区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC

IEEE Spectrum Pub Date : 2025-09-03 DOI:10.1109/MSPEC.2025.11150645

Allison Marsh

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Millions of people worldwide have reason to be thankful that Swedish engineer Rune Elmqvist decided not to practice medicine. Although qualified as a doctor, he chose to invent medical equipment instead. In 1949, while working at Elema-Schonander (later Siemens-Elema), in Stockholm, he applied for a patent for the Mingograph, the first inkjet printer. Its movable nozzle deposited an electrostatically controlled jet of ink droplets on a spool of paper, recording physiological signals from a patient's electrocardiogram in real time. Nine years later, Elmqvist worked with cardiac surgeon Åke Senning to develop the first fully implantable pacemaker. So whether you're running documents through an inkjet printer or living your best life due to a pacemaker, give a nod of appreciation for Dr. Elmqvist and his creative career pivot.

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回顾过去：第一台喷墨打印机是一种医疗设备

全世界数百万人有理由感谢瑞典工程师Rune Elmqvist决定不再行医。虽然他有医生的资格，但他选择发明医疗设备。1949年，当他在斯德哥尔摩的埃莱玛-舍纳德（后来的西门子-埃莱玛）工作时，他为第一台喷墨打印机minggraph申请了专利。它的可移动喷嘴将静电控制的墨滴喷射到一卷纸上，实时记录病人心电图的生理信号。九年后，Elmqvist与心脏外科医生Åke Senning合作开发了第一个完全植入式起搏器。所以，无论你是在用喷墨打印机打印文件，还是因为心脏起搏器而过着最好的生活，都要对埃尔姆奎斯特博士和他的创造性职业枢纽表示赞赏。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

IEEE Spectrum 工程技术-工程：电子与电气

CiteScore

2.50

自引率

0.00%

发文量

254

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： IEEE Spectrum Magazine, the flagship publication of the IEEE, explores the development, applications and implications of new technologies. It anticipates trends in engineering, science, and technology, and provides a forum for understanding, discussion and leadership in these areas. IEEE Spectrum is the world''s leading engineering and scientific magazine. Read by over 300,000 engineers worldwide, Spectrum provides international coverage of all technical issues and advances in computers, communications, and electronics. Written in clear, concise language for the non-specialist, Spectrum''s high editorial standards and worldwide resources ensure technical accuracy and state-of-the-art relevance.