A historical perspective of cardiovascular devices and techniques associated with the university of minnesota

The University of Minnesota has a unique history relative to advances in cardiovascular research, surgery, and the development of medical devices. Interestingly, the completion of this textbook coincides with two important anniversaries in cardiovascular medicine and engineering at the university. First, it was 50 years ago, in 1958, upon the request of Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, that the first wearable, battery-powered pacemaker was designed and built by Earl Bakken (Medtronic, Inc.) and used on a patient. Second, 30 years ago, in 1978, the first human heart transplantation was performed at the university. In this chapter, we will review some of this history and how it has led to the creation of a dynamic medical device industry in the state of Minnesota.