Medtech's Billionaires

Everyone is familiar with the young Silicon Valley entrepreneurs who have made billions off their inventions. But the medical device business, another R&D-heavy industry, has its fair share of billionaires too.

We reviewed the Forbes 400 list of the 400 richest people in America, and found ten major medtech fortunes. While some riches were amassed through gradual company growth and when companies were acquired, one of these billionaires (hint, check out #8) made his money in a more unique way. We include Forbes' real-time valuations for each person's wealth.

Though these billionaires may not be as recognizable as Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates, their companies’ inventions impact the health of thousands of Americans everyday.