This area of our website is aimed at members of the community (doctors, nursing professions, hospital administration, health insurance companies etc.).
Patients can find information here.
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.
That spirit — combined with our founders' personal integrity and passion — became our guiding philosophy and, ultimately, the Medtronic Mission.
Our first life-changing therapy — a wearable, battery-powered cardiac pacemaker — was the foundation for many more Medtronic therapies that use our electrical stimulation expertise to improve the lives of millions of people.
With an eye on reducing healthcare costs through innovation, Medtronic therapies are helping to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend the life of patients worldwide. Medtronic also goes beyond therapies and devices, using its technology and expertise to help physicians provide better, more efficient care.
In 1987, Medtronic partnered with Professor Benabid and Professor Pollak to pioneer Deep Brain Stimulation, giving the company more than 30 years of experience and clinical research in this life-changing therapy.