The Medtronic 5880A was the next model to come after the Medtronic 5800-Bakken named his device the Medtronic 5800 because it was created in 1958. This external pacemaker was originally intended to treat short term heart rate irregularities which sometimes occurred after open heart surgery.

This device is most likely from the 1970’s and shortly after discontinued due to interference the device would get if touched with bare hands on certain parts of the pacemaker.

The pacemaker is a simple rectangular white plastic box with two metal handles on each side for attachment to the patient with straps. It is powered by two transistors and a battery. A clear plastic cover protects the two dials (heart rate and the electrical output) recessed into the box and a tiny blinking red light which indicated the device was working. At the top of the pacemaker are two terminals. A wire attached to a terminal was then inserted through the skin and threaded into the heart. The wire sends pluses of electricity to a heart which cannot beat fast enough to pump blood through the body.

The Medtronic is a great addition to any engineers design library or any institution building a comprehensive timeline in heart device evolution