<p>Belding H. Scribner was an American physician and inventor who is best known for developing the Scribner shunt, a medical device that revolutionized the treatment of kidney failure.</p><p></p><p>Born in 1924 in Michigan, Scribner graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1948. He later completed a fellowship in nephrology (the study of kidney function and disease) at the University of Washington.</p><p></p><p>In the early 1960s, Scribner began working on a solution to the problem of end-stage kidney disease. At the time, the only treatment option for patients with advanced kidney failure was a surgery known as a nephrectomy, in which the diseased kidneys were removed and replaced with healthy ones from a donor. However, the limited availability of donors meant that this procedure was only an option for a small number of patients.</p><p></p><p>In 1963, Scribner developed the Scribner shunt, a device that allowed patients with end-stage kidney disease to receive long-term dialysis treatment. The Scribner shunt is a small plastic tube that is inserted into an artery in the arm and connected to a vein, creating a bypass around the diseased kidneys. Blood flows through the shunt and into a dialysis machine, where it is cleaned before being returned to the body.</p><p></p><p>The Scribner shunt was a major breakthrough in the treatment of kidney failure. It allowed patients to receive long-term dialysis treatment and avoid the need for a nephrectomy. The shunt was widely adopted and became the standard of care for patients with end-stage kidney disease.</p><p></p><p>In 1973, Scribner was honored with the prestigious Lasker-DeBakey Clinical Medical Research Award for his development of the Scribner shunt. He was also inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1999.</p><p></p><p>Scribner's invention has saved countless lives and improved the quality of life for patients with end-stage kidney disease. His work has had a lasting impact on the field of nephrology and has paved the way for further advancements in the treatment of kidney failure.</p><p></p><p>In conclusion, Belding H. Scribner was a pioneering physician and inventor whose legacy continues to shape the field of nephrology. His Scribner shunt revolutionized the treatment of kidney failure and has saved countless lives. His contributions will be remembered and honored for many years to come.</p><p></p><p></p>