Inventor of the SQUAIR, the first and only surgical device proven to capture and remove 99.5% of the bioaerosols formed at the incision site during open surgery. The device is designed to protect the respiratory health of the entire operating room team, by preventing their chronic inhalation of nanoparticles, the primary component of surgical smoke. The device reduces operating room costs if connected to a non-ULPA filter-based central smoke evacuation system which also prevents recirculation and inhalation of harmful nanoparticles.The SQUAIR allows the operating room assistant to better help the surgeon by not having to chase after the smoke plume with a wand. In addition to the health benefits, the device will help lower potential health related liability costs, for which the surgical facility will be held responsible.

My company developed the world's first laparoscopic filter used to remove smoke from the abdomen during laparoscopic surgery thereby providing continuous clear surgical vision, while preventing inhalation of surgical smoke by the OR team. The company was sold to Cooper Surgical Inc.

Provided general surgical services to several leading hospitals in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Specialized in laser surgery for tumor vaporization and laparoscopy for general surgery procedures.• Developed the committee on parenteral and enteral surgical nutrition and initiated the surgical dialysis program with access surgery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.• Expanded the use of lasers for general surgery and started a hospital-based seminar series for surgeons for lasers and laparoscopy at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.• Initiated laparoscopic surgery in the Midwest with the first report of laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery in April, 1999 and laparoscopic inguinal herniorraphy using mesh at the American College of Surgery that same year. • Worldwide lecturer in lasers and laparoscopy at both seminars and workshops from 1990-1995 and served as a consultant for numerous surgical device companies during this time.• Advanced the field of spine surgery as a co-surgeon to spine surgeons in the Twn Cities over a 17 year period by initiating clinical laparoscopic anterior, retroperitoneal and thoroscopic spinal fusion• Author of numerous book chapters, editor of a text on laparoscopy and author of numerous journal articles.• Inventor and patent holder of over 40 domestic and foreign patents that include surgical smoke capture devices, pattern recognition technology for surgical dictation and percutaneous surgical devices for cholecystectomy and inguinal herniorraphy.

Commander of surgical and outpatient services.