Shiley

Shiley was a pioneering medical device company founded by Donald Shiley in 1964, primarily known for its innovations in cardiac and respiratory care. The company gained international recognition for developing the Bjork-Shiley tilting-disc heart valve, a landmark product in the history of cardiac surgery. Additionally, Shiley developed a line of tracheostomy tubes that became the clinical standard for airway management. In 1979, the company was acquired by Pfizer for approximately $60 million. While the heart valve division was later divested following safety concerns, the respiratory product line remains a leading brand under the ownership of Medtronic.