The Bokros Carbomedics On-X Bileaflet Valve was developed by Dr. Jack Bokros PhD, a nuclear engineer in collaboration with Dr. Vincent Gott, a pioneering cardiac surgeon who spent thirty-five years training surgeons at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Together Bokros and Gott pioneered the use of pyrolytic carbon in the development of artificial valves.
Pyrolytic carbon quickly became the 'gold standard' in the manufacture of heart valves, and today remains the most accepted material for the construction of mechanical prosthesis. Although valves utilizing carbon still require anticoagulation therapy for prevention of thrombosis its strengths, highly biocompatible, pure carbon surface create an ability to reduce turbulence to the blood and increases blood flow. .
Gott later became involved with the development of the first all-carbon bi-leaflet valve, the St. Jude artificial heart valve. Bokros went on to establish Carbomedics Incorporated and On-X Life Technologies. In the 1990s, his company was responsible for fabricating pyrolyte for more than 2 million valves, worldwide.
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