Paul Yock is the Director of the Stanford Biodesign Program and the founding Co-Chair of the Department of Bioengineering at Stanford University. He is known internationally for his work in inventing, developing, and testing new medical devices, including the Rapid Exchange balloon angioplasty and stenting system, which is now the principal system in use worldwide. He also authored the fundamental patents for mechanical intravascular ultrasound imaging and founded Cardiovascular Imaging Systems. In addition, he invented a Doppler-guided access system known as the Smart Needle and PD-Access . Dr Yock holds 55 US patents and has authored over 300 papers, mainly in the area of catheter-based interventions and technologies. He has been elected to membership in the National Academy of Engineering and has received several prestigious awards, including the American College of Cardiology Distinguished Scientist Award.