Welch Allyn engineer wins inventor of the year prize

Welch Allyn has announced that its lead engineer for product development Ervin Goldfain has been presented with a prestigious accolade by the Rochester Intellectual Property Law Association.

The industry body has presented Mr Goldfain with the 2013 distinguished inventor of the year award, recognising his contributions to useful applications of science and technology.

In his work with Welch Allyn, he has played a lead role developing the patented technology behind the Welch Allyn MacroView Otoscope, PanOptic Ophthalmoscope and SureSight Vision Screener, among other devices.

He has been with the company since 1990 and currently works in the applied technology group at Welch Allyn.

Roger Bonenfant, associate general counsel at Welch Allyn, who nominated Mr Goldfain for the award, said: "Ervin continuously works to better physical assessment devices for primary care clinicians. He has made significant contributions to many Welch Allyn devices that help improve patient outcomes."

The firm has been in business since 1915 and is now a leading provider of innovative medical technologies on a global scale.