Salomon Hakim Dow, Colombian neurosurgeon and bioengineer (Barranquilla 04 June 1922 – Barranquilla 05 May 2011)

From Lebanese parents

Authored over 70 papers

Described the normal pressure hydrocephalus or Hakim syndrome in Spanish (1964) and in English with R.D.Adams & C.M. Fisher (1965)

Stated new theories on cephalorhachidian  liquid dynamics

Introduced new lead systems of cephalorhachidian fluid

Stated the concept of self-regulating valves (1973)

TECHNIQUES/DEVICES

With A. Jimenez Arango & F. Rosas. Drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid into the spinal epidural space: a new technique for the treatment of hydrocephalus. Acta Neuroch. 4(3):224-7, 1955

With neurosurgeon Alejandro Jimenez Arango. A surgical technique for making agile operations

A technique for measuring gauge of brain vessels

With Carlos Hakim. A programmable and adjustable valve which may prevent ventricular collapse or Hakim valve   

The first gravitational valves (1975)

With J.F. Patiño, C. Hakim, S. Barco, F. Holguín Rueda & C. Castro. A new vascular access system totally implantable: Hakim’s venous shunt. Cirugia 1(1):3-6, 1986    

INVENTIONS/PATENTS (more than 28 US patents)

A valve to treat hydrocephaly. USPTO 3288142 (1966)

With D.L. Harris. Implantable pressure sensor. US3.958.562 (1974)

With C. Hakim. Servo valve US4.106.510 (1976)

With C. Hakim Method and apparatus for the treatment of ascites. US4.261.341 (1979)

Flocking apparatus US4.312.293 (1980)

With C. Hakim. Shunt valve US4.332.255 (1980)

With C. Hakim. Shunt valve US4.387.715 (1982)

With C. Hakim. Cerebrospinal fluid shunt valve US4.551.126 (1983)

With C. Hakim. External magnetic detection of physiopathological and other parameters. US4.608.992 (1983)

With C. Hakim. Magnetically-adjustable cerebrospinal fluid shunt valve US4.595.390 (1983)

With C. Hakim. Surgically implantable stepping motor US4.615.691 (1983)

With C. Hakim. External programmer for magnetically-adjustable cerebrospinal fluid shunt valve. US4.772.257 (1986) 

With Carlos Hakim. A programmable and adjustable valve which may prevent ventricular collapse or Hakim valve   

EPONYMY

Hakim triad (in normal pressure hydrocephaly)

Hakim tube

Hakim shunt

Hakim reservoir

Hakim catheter

HONOURS

First Foreigner to win Alumni Achievement Award, United States