11 Million Patents

Innovation reached another milestone on May 11, 2021, with the 11 millionth patent granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). With the Patent Act of 1836, US patents begin the numbering system we see today. About 10,000 patents issued prior to 1836 are unnumbered.

U.S. Patent 11,000,000, entitled “Repositioning Wires and Methods for Repositioning Prosthetic Heart Valve Devices within a Heart Chamber and Related Systems, Devices and Method,” is a medical medical device describing a method of delivering and positioning a prosthetic heart valve.

Inventors Saravana Kumar and Jason S. Diedering of 4C Medical Technologies, Inc. represent American ingenuity and creativity. “The 4C Medical beginning is a true story of American entrepreneurship, where Jason and I worked in a garage many nights and weekends to turn this idea into reality,” said Kumar. Diedering continued, “4C Medical’s approach to inventing is simple—we identified a need, created a solution, and demonstrated its benefits. We are a team of highly driven and creative engineers who are committed to bringing lifesaving technologies to people who need it most.” 

Innovation has come a long way in the United States. To the right is an Upstream Partners infographic celebrating the million patent milestones throughout the years.

 Source: https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-issues-patent-number-11000000