Born 1 Apr 1916; died 22 Dec 2003 at age 87.

American inventor of a pioneering #valve used in the treatment of #hydrocephalus (“water on the brain”).

Shortly after birth (1955), his son suffered from hydrocephalus. Holter learned from surgeons Eugene Spitz and Frank Nulsen that a suitable valve to #drain fluid from the #brain could maintain normal cranial pressure. To save his son, Holter invented a pressure-sealing valve made from #silicone to avoid clogging problems. He subsequently refined and patented the device. Spitz and Holter set up a company to manufacture the shunts using Silastic silicone. The Spitz-Holter valve has helped millions around the world since the late 1950s.

Holter later created other medical devices, including #dialysis pumps, #artificial heart valves and finger #tendons.