The inventors of the OCT imaging technique have been awarded America’s highest technological honour by president Mr Joe Biden, and are described as embodying the “promise of America by pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
In a ceremony in the White House on 24 October, Dr James Fujimoto and Dr Eric Swanson, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Dr David Huang, of Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), were presented with the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by President Biden.
They were among 12 recipients for the National Medal of Technology. Nine scientists were also awarded the National Medal of Science
In a statement released by the White House, the National Medal of Technology was described as the highest technological accolade in America.
“It recognises American innovators whose vision, intellect, creativity, and determination have strengthened America’s economy and improved our quality of life. Established by Congress and administered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the first Medal of Technology was presented in 1985,” the statement said.
According to a statement by OHSU, the last National Medal of Technology was awarded in 2015.
Since its inception in 1991, OCT imaging has revolutionised ophthalmic care and is used in the diagnosis and management of retinal diseases, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Huang, Fujimoto and Swanson developed OCT in the early 1990s when Huang was an MD/PhD student in Fujimoto’s MIT lab, according to OHSU. The team were also awarded the 2023 Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award last month for their work on the imaging technology.
Huang is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of several professional organisations, including the American Academy of Inventors and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
He is also the director of research, associate director and Wold Family chair in ophthalmic imaging at the OHSU Casey Eye Institute and a professor ophthalmology and biomedical engineering in the OHSU School of Medicine.
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