Sorin Group is responsible for many of the innovations that have made heart valve replacement and repair among the safest and most effective procedures in the world today.

In the late 1960's, Sorin Group engineers pioneered the development of pyrolytic carbon for prosthetic implants. The first mechanical heart valve using this revolutionary material—named Pyrolite^®—was implanted in 1969.

In the 1980s, Sorin Group revolutionized the industry again with Carbofilm™, a high-density, ultrathin film of turbostratic carbon used with mechanical valves and repair devices. Also during this time, the company designed and implanted valves using bovine pericardium—the first generation of biological valves that did not require the patient to adhere to a lifelong anticoagulant regimen.

In 1990, Sorin Group achieved the first implant of a European made mechanical bileaflet heart valve with an innovative Carbofilm-coated titanium housing design. This was followed shortly after with the first worldwide implant of a bovine pericardial stentless valve.

The 2000s were witness to a number of important innovations, including the first application of homocysteic acid detoxification treatment for biological valves, the first Valsalva aorto-valvular prosthesis and both the first single suture bovine pericardial stentless valve and the first sutureless pericardial valve.

Today, Sorin Group boasts one of the industry's most complete heart valve portfolios, utilizing the most advanced design and manufacturing techniques and backed by four decades of clinical excellence.