Open-heart surgery and the artificial pacemaker

 

All of these developments, as well as such technologies as the kidney and heart-lung machines, depended upon the precise control of blood flow inside and outside of the body that Heparin provided. The TGH played an essential role in the development of Heparin, experimental and clinical work that was painstaking, precise and conducted almost single-handedly by Murray. However, Murray’s research would not have taken place without TGH’s earlier role in the insulin story, or the essential contributions of the University of Toronto and its Connaught Laboratories to the discovery and production of insulin and then the production and purification of Heparin.

The stories of these innovations highlight the importance of place, intellectual communities, and above all the catalytic roles of certain inspired individuals. The discovery of insulin made possible a wave of succeeding innovations thanks to the impetus for collaboration driven by these three factors. Techniques, skills and problem-solving approaches were transferred into new disciplines and found novel uses. The relevance to MaRS is clear. The ideal of creating an environment where diverse ideas can freely cross-fertilize—and the structures, programs and people necessary to realize it—pay homage to MaRS’ innovation legacy, and promise to bring it into the 21st Century.