A History of Cardiology: The Beat Goes On: University of Iowa Health Care

Medical Museum

The Beat Goes On: A History of Cardiology

Pacemakers

Implantable pacemaker

24. Cutaway of implantable pacemaker, 1982. On loan from Cardiac Pacemakers Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota

A pacemaker is a battery-powered device which transmits electrical impulses through tiny wires to the heart. The steady strength and timing of the impulses help to correct a natural heart beat which may be too slow or irregular. Since their invention in the early 1960s, pacemakers have evolved from bulky, relatively heavy devices carried outside of the body to small, slim units weighing less than one ounce that are surgically inserted under the skin.

25. From bottom, clockwise: Chardack Greatbatch implantable pacemaker, 1970. On loan from The State Historical Society, Des Moines, Iowa. Vista T implantable pacemaker, 1988, Cutaway of implantable pacemaker, 1982; Maxilith implantable pacemaker, 1972. On loan from Cardiac Pacemakers Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota.

Last modification date: Mon Jun 5 14:08:39 2006
URL: http://www.uihealthcare.com /depts/medmuseum/galleryexhibits/beatgoesonhistory/08pacemakers.html