Medtronic

Medtronic was founded in 1949 as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie.

Did these two men set out to change medical technology and the lives of millions of people? No. But they did have a deep moral purpose and an inner drive to use their scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to help others.

Medtronic’s first life-changing therapy, a wearable, battery-powered cardiac pacemaker, was the foundation for many more Medtronic therapies that use their electrical stimulation expertise to improve the lives of millions of people.

Over the years, Medtronic have developed additional core technologies, including implantable mechanical devices, drug and biologic delivery devices, and powered and advanced energy surgical instruments. Today, Medtronic technologies are used to treat nearly 40 medical conditions.