Warren Hancock

Warren Hancock (October 12, 1927 – July 17, 1999) was an American inventor and biomedical engineer, best known for his pioneering work in the development of heart valve technology. He founded Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, which played a crucial role in advancing prosthetic heart valves and other biomedical innovations.

Early life and education
Warren Hancock was born in 1927. He attended Pepperdine University, where he developed an interest in biomedical engineering. His educational background provided a strong foundation for his future endeavors in medical device innovation.

Career and inventions
Hancock's career is marked by significant contributions to the field of cardiovascular surgery. In 1967, he founded Hancock Jaffe laboratories in Anaheim, California, to develop and commercialize innovative heart valve technologies. Hancock's inventions have had a profound impact on the medical field, particularly in heart valve replacement and repair.

Patents

 * Biological material pre-fixation treatment (Patent No. 5843181): Method for making biological tissue substantially acellular by controlled autolysis before fixation, preserving structural integrity.
 * Method of treating a mammal having a defective heart valve (Patent No. 5843180): Using controlled autolysis treated biological material to make bioprosthetic heart valves for treating defective heart valves.
 * Biological material pre-fixation treatment (Patent No. 5720777): Another iteration of the controlled autolysis method for preparing biological tissues.
 * Arrangement for preparing natural tissue for implantation (Patent No. 4090878): Method involving tanning fluid under pressure to fix tissues in their natural configuration for implantation.
 * Arrangement for preparing natural tissue for implantation (Patent No. 4050893): Similar to 4090878, involving pressure and tanning fluid for tissue fixation.
 * Preparing natural tissue for implantation so as to provide improved flexibility (Patent No. 3966401): Method to enhance flexibility of natural tissue using alternating pressure of tanning fluid.
 * Stent for heart valve (Patent No. RE30912): Heart valve stent design with an annular framework for supporting the heart valve during implantation.
 * Arrangement for preparing natural tissue for implantation (Patent No. RE31035): Another method involving pressure and tanning fluid for fixing tissues in natural configurations.

Awards

 * The Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology
 * Innovation Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers