Smeloff-Cutter Valve (Heart Prothesis)
This heart valve, one of the final versions of the ball valve, was developed by a team headed by Dr. Edward A. Smeloff in the 1960s. It was constructed of titanium with a silicone ball and established a record of durability. All royalities were given to Sutter Hospitals Research Foundation. The first artificial heart valve used, an acrylic ball valve, was in 1952. The heart-lung machine was created in 1953.