Nuclear-Powered Pacemakers: A Forgotten Chapter in Medical History
2025-05-31
Have you ever heard of nuclear-powered pacemakers? In the past, some pacemakers utilized plutonium-238 as a power source, generating electricity via thermoelectric effects to stimulate the heart. These devices were remarkably durable, able to withstand gunshots and even cremation. Despite emitting low radiation doses, between 50 and 100 people in the US were still using them around 2003. Upon a patient's death, the pacemakers were retrieved to recover the plutonium. This article showcases a Medtronic nuclear pacemaker with its plutonium removed, measuring approximately 2.75 inches in diameter and donated by the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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