The bourner lecture: Electrochemical power sources — an important contributor to modern health care

The invention of the cardiac pacemaker thirty-nine years ago marked the beginning of the era of the treatment of health disorders by battery powered implantable devices. Since that time several different battery-powered implantable devices have been developed and are in use. Batteries play an important role in external medical devices as well, ranging from surgical tools to motorized wheel chairs. As both battery technology and device development progress, the use of batteries in the treatment of disease will continue to be an important feature of medical care.