Medtronic Products - Pacemakers, ICDs & CRTs
Medtronic Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of medical devices in the world. Medtronic's founding partners (Earl Bakken and Palmer Hermundslie) were responsible for the development and manufacture of the first wearable and implantable artificial pacemaker.
Cardiac rhythm management (CRM) is one of Medtronic's signature business lines, with devices that include:
- Implantable pacemakers / defibrillators
- Cardiac ablation catheters
- Monitoring and diagnostic devices
- Cardiac resynchronization devices
Medtronic Pacemakers
The body contains "natural pacemakers" that are responsible for regulating the beating of the heart. Severe heart trauma, such as that associated with cardiac arrest (heart attack), can neutralize "natural pacemakers," putting a person at risk of heart failure caused as a result of a slower-than-normal heart rate, faster-than-normal heart rate or irregular beating pattern.
"Artificial pacemakers," first developed by Medtronic Inc., are small battery-operated devices that serve as replacements for "natural pacemakers." "Artificial pacemakers" are for those who have suffered a heart trauma of some kind. Medtronic pacemakers are separated into six different device categories:
- EnPulse pulse generators
- AT500 pulse generators
- Kappa pulse generators
- Sigma pulse generators
- Thera pulse generators
- Others
- Preva, Prevail and Prodigy are a few of the other Medtronic pacemaker product lines.
Although defective Medtronic pacemakers have been relatively few in number, they pose a serious health risk to any person implanted with a defective Medtronic pacemaker. In order to counter any potential health hazards, a Medtronic pacemaker recall is issued whenever a defect is viewed to be on a large enough scale. A recent Medtronic recall (Nov. 29th, 2005) has revolved around the Sigma Series pulse generators because of the device's higher-than-expected failure rate.
Medtronic ICDs
An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a type of electronic medical device that is implanted in the body of people suffering from a faster-than-normal heart rate (tachycardia). When tachycardia sufferers experience a faster-than-normal heart rate, the ICD delivers a mild shock to the heart, redirecting its rhythm to a normal beating pattern. ICDs can also help people suffering from an irregular heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation - VF). When ICD devices detect VF, they send electronic impulses to the heart to restore its rhythm to a normal level.
ICD units can help to reduce a person's chance of cardiac arrest. Medtronic ICDs are separated into five different model categories:
- GEM ICDs
- Jewel ICDs
- Micro Jewel ICDs
- Marquis ICDs
- Maximo ICDs
Like Medtronic pacemakers, Medtronic ICDs have had defects that have forced the company to issue a variety of safety advisories for patients using their ICD devices. Recent advisories (2004 and 2005) have revolved around the Marquis ICDs and the Micro Jewell ICDs. In both cases, the defects revolved around defective batteries and the inability of the device to provide a full energy shock if necessary.
Medtronic CRT
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a type of medical device designed for use by people who have suffered moderate to severe heart failure and also suffer from ventricular dysynchrony, a condition by which the lower chambers of the heart beat at a different rate (affecting 30% of all moderate to severe heart failure patients). CRT devices build on some of the technologies used in pacemakers and ICDs to re-coordinate the beating of the left and right ventricles of the heart.
There are a number of Medtronic CRTs available, all of which fall into the InSync model category. Medtronic products have had defective CRT issues that are similar in nature to those affecting Medtronic ICD devices. Battery short issues can severely inhibit the devices ability to function, putting patients' lives at risk.
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