The First Implantable Cardiac Pacemaker

Wilson Greatbatch's 1960 patent for the first successful implantable heart pacemaker that used a battery to regulate heartbeat.

What it covers

This patent describes a medical device designed to be implanted inside a patient to provide electrical stimulation to the heart. It uses a transistorized oscillator circuit to generate periodic electrical pulses that mimic the natural rhythm of a heart. These pulses are delivered to the heart muscle via electrodes to keep the heart beating at a steady, healthy rate. The device is powered by a battery, allowing it to function independently within the body for extended periods.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover external pacemakers that remain outside the body.
• —Does not cover modern pacemakers with wireless communication or remote monitoring features.
• —Does not cover non-electrical methods of heart rhythm regulation.
• —Does not cover the specific chemical composition of modern lithium-iodine batteries.

The clever bit

Greatbatch used a transistor, which was a relatively new component at the time, to create a circuit that was small and efficient enough to run on a battery for a long time inside the human body.

Why it matters

This invention transformed cardiology by turning heart block from a fatal condition into a manageable one. It laid the foundation for the entire implantable medical device industry, including modern pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Real-world examples

• 1.Early implantable pacemakers used in the 1960s
• 2.Modern cardiac rhythm management devices
• 3.Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators