You can't know that w/o seeing the valve and the patent. But there are probably immunities or limitations of liability at play here based on the circumstances.

You can't know that w/o seeing the valve and the patent. But there are probably immunities or limitations of liability at play here based on the circumstances. Generally, the medical device industry is cut throat and patent heavy. They patent every tweak they can to fend off competitors. It makes some sense because of the expense associated with bringing a medical device to market.