Dr. Joseph Battocletti, Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery, dies Jan. 22 at age 87

Jan. 28, 2013 College News - Joseph Battocletti, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Neurosurgery, passed away Jan. 22. He was 87 years old. Dr. Battocletti still came to his office at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center almost daily. 

“In his role as emeritus professor, he was always happy to contribute to any research project,” said Frank A. Pintar, PhD, Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center Neuroscience Research laboratories, on behalf of the department. “He will truly be missed.” 

Dr. Battocletti was born in 1925 in Bridgeport, Ohio. He received his BEE degree from the University of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan, in 1947, the MSEE degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in 1949, and his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1961. He joined the Medical College of Wisconsin in March, 1970, as a Research Associate.

From 1951 to 1962, he taught Electrical Engineering at Loyola University of Los Angeles and from 1963 to 1966, at Marquette University, where he was an Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. He was a consultant to all the Chilean universities in Electrical Engineering from 1962 to 1963 for the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He was a Biomedical Engineer at the Milwaukee VA from 1978 to 1995. His industrial experience includes Motorola Inc. (Chicago, Illinois), Douglas Aircraft Co., Hughes Aircraft Co. and Servomechanisms, Inc. (Los Angeles, California), and Badger Meter Inc. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin). His research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the VAMC has included the following:

(1). Blood flow measurement using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) principles in the limb and in the head. A patent was obtained for a Limb Blood Flowmeter, and the first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) type superconducting magnet was purchased for blood flow and imaging measurements in the head. In addition, a whole-body permanent magnet was designed and built for the blood flow project, using self-generated finite element analysis (FEA) methods.

(2). Blood flow measurement using transcutaneous electromagnetic techniques.

(3). Applications of Phosphorus-31 NMR for the measurement of bone mineral density, related to osteoporosis. In addition to using standard NMR Spectrometers, a permanent magnet using rare-earth magnets was designed and built for measurement in the wrist.

(4). Magnetic stimulation of peripheral nerves in the arm and of nerves in the head.

(5). Finite element analysis in modeling the measurement of real-time aortic segmental volume using the conductance catheter.

(6). Directed and enhanced neurite growth with pulsed magnetic field stimulation in (a) chicken egg embryo, (b) spine of the rat embryo, and (c) in vivo in the spine of the cat.

(7). Use of MADYMO (Mathematical Dynamic Model) in the analyses of automobile crashes for: (a) real accidents reported in CIREN Case Studies, (b) NHTSA staged Dummy Tests, and (c) parametric studies to improve safety features in automobiles.

(8). Creation and adaptation of computer software to improve and automate the creation of reports and other applications.

Dr. Battocletti is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rosemary; children Mary Rose Kenwood, Theresa Battocletti, Anne Richmond, Elizabeth Battocletti, Mary Catherine Battocletti, Timothy Battocletti and James Battocletti; and numerous grandchildren and friends.

Visitation is Monday, Jan. 28, from 4-8 p.m. at the Feerick Funeral Home, 2025 E. Capitol Drive in Shorewood. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Eugene Catholic Church in Fox Point.