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Daniel Palanker, PhD

Daniel Palanker, PhD

Professor, Ophthalmology
Professor (By courtesy), Electrical Engineering
Member, Bio-X
Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Postdoctoral, Stanford University, Picosecond Free Electron Laser Center (1997)
PhD, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, Applied Physics (1995)
MSc, Yerevan State University, USSR, Physics (1984)
Daniel Palanker is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory at Stanford University. He received MSc in Physics in 1984 from the Yerevan State University in Armenia, and PhD in Applied Physics in 1994 from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Dr. Palanker is working on optical and electronic technologies for diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical and prosthetic applications, primarily in ophthalmology. In the field of biomedical optics, these studies include interferometric imaging of neural signals, and laser-tissue interactions with applications to retinal laser therapy and to ocular surgery. In the field of electro-neural interfaces, Dr. Palanker is developing retinal prosthesis for restoration of sight to the blind and implants for electronic control of organs.
Several of his developments are in clinical practice world-wide: Pulsed Electron Avalanche Knife (PEAK PlasmaBlade, Medtronic Inc.), Patterned Scanning Laser Photocoagulator (PASCAL, Topcon Inc.), Femtosecond Laser System for Cataract Surgery (Catalys, Johnson&Johnson), Neural stimulator for enhanced tear secretion (TrueTear, Allergan Inc.). Photovoltaic Retinal Prosthesis (PRIMA, Pixium Vision) is in clinical trials.