The role of lithium batteries in modem health care

Since the implantation of the first Lithium-powered pacemaker in 1972, biomedical devices powered by lithium batteries have played a significant role in saving lives and providing health-improving therapy. Today a wide variety of devices performing functions from managing cardiac rhythm to relieving pain and administering drugs is available to clinicians. Newer devices such as ventricular assist devices and implantable hearing devices are powered by lithium ion secondary batteries. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.