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Then the RCA division I worked for fell on hard times and I went to work for David Kopf, a machinist who wanted to manufacture a (kidney) dialysis machine and had already managed to capture 80 percent of the (medical) stereotaxic equipment market. In a hot, primitive environment I managed to design and build all of the electronic and electromechanical systems that he needed for the kidney machine. I did everything -- I even etched my own circuit boards. I invented the dialysate proportioning system and a system for measuring ultrafiltration rate. Both were patented and I am listed as the inventor for the latter.

It was quite an experience to watch a human patient being dialyzed by a machine I had helped create. Lou (his name) was asleep, when suddenly he started twitching. And I prayed: "Please God, no, not on my machine, not in front of me!" So the nurse walks in and snaps her fingers: "Wake up, Lou, it is time to stop before you start getting cramps."

Cordis-Dow liked the machine and decided that it would be ideal for running their new hollow fiber artificial kidney. David Kopf and Cordis-Dow entered a business agreement which later went sour. Dow took over the Dialysystem™ and I sought to establish myself as a consultant.