Earlier last week, Matt Condon, professional development manager, shared Medtronic’s story with a packed room of engineering students from South Korea.
As Medtronic’s founder, Earl Bakken, studied electrical engineering himself, it only made sense that the next generation of budding engineers be informed of career opportunities within the medical technology industry. After all, one of these students may develop a device that could change the face of patient care.
The 61-strong group of students were flown to Sydney as part of a joint initiative between Kyungpook National University and the University of Sydney. In addition to exploring career prospects, the annual trip is organised to assist with English language skills development.
The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) kicked off the morning on campus by giving the students an overview of the industry, specifically an education on what ‘medical devices’ actually are, how these therapies are used to improve patient’s lives, and potential job pathways in the industry.
Matt brought it all home by presenting Medtronic’s history, from its humble beginning as a medical equipment repair shop, to a company which now spans across 120 countries and saves or improves a person’s life every four seconds.
Matt showcased this by playing a video diary of a patient who suffers from Dystonia, a debilitating movement disorder. Following Deep Brain Stimulation – a therapy used to stimulate specific areas of the brain to better control movement – this young patient was able to ride a bike, learn how to drive, and even play golf. Prior to the therapy, this patient’s condition meant he had trouble completing the simplest of tasks, such as walking across a room.
It is these types of stories that remind us why we do what we do and hopefully inspired a room full of students to consider investing themselves in such a worthwhile industry.
Walk Against Pain
Chronic pain – pain that lasts for more than 3 months – is an issue that affects an estimated 1 in 5 Australians. It is also costly, with the total cost of lost workdays, health care, and associated costs adding up to over $34 billion per year.
As a way of drawing attention to the need for further research into chronic pain, Medtronic Australia staff will be among those walking in the second annual “Walk against Pain”. The walk will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday 2nd February prior to a “Battle of the Codes” (Rugby Union versus League) Twenty/20 fundraising cricket match scheduled for that night.
Walkers in lime green t-shirts including NSW Minister for Health & Medical Research Jillian Skinner will circle the perimeter of the SCG between 4 and 6pm. They will be awarded certificates of participation by Richie Benaud OBE and ABC Grandstand’s Jim Maxwell.
The Walk Against Pain is an initiative of the Pain Management Research Institute of the University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital. More information can be found here.
Knife-wielding Robots and Frankenstein’s Monster
I’ve been having a read through the book written to celebrate the 5oth anniversary of the Medtronic Mission and thought the story of the childhood of our co-founder, Earl Bakken, was worth sharing. It can be amazing what childhood fascinations can lead to.
“Medtronic’s co-founder Earl Bakken was fascinated by electricity from an early age. Even as a toddler, he played with wires, cords, plugs and connectors – leading an uncle to warn his encouraging mother, “That boy’s going to electrocute himself someday”. But his mother kept Earl supplied with spare parts, and he spent much of his suburban Minneapolis childhood wiring up his own creations, such as a private telephone system to a buddy’s house and a cigarette-smoking robot.
In high school, Earl drew plans for radios, rocket ships, and futuristic houses with all the electrical wiring in place, and was the self-described go to “nerd” who took care of the public address system, movie projector, and other electrical equipment at school.
But the pivotal moment in Earl’s life came somewhat earlier, at the age of eight or nine, as he sat watching a matinée showing of Boris Karloff’s 1931 Frankenstein – the story of a “mad scientist” who brings to life a man he has created in his laboratory. At the time, Earl was fascinated by the fact that electricity could do more than light up a room. He was still too young to understand its implications for helping others; still too young a few years later when his pastor admonished him to use his scientific skills to benefit humankind. Yet in retrospect, these two events sparked Earl’s transformation from tinkerer to healer.”
You can access an online copy, or order a hard copy of the Medtronic Mission book here.
Vinnie Jones Hands-Only CPR
Over the festive season I was sent a link to this fantastic advertisement made by the British Heart Foundation.
Featuring former soccer great and movie hard man Vinnie Jones, it demonstrates a really simple way to deliver CPR – no breaths required, and pushing hard and fast on the chest to the beat of Stayin’ Alive.
Well worth a watch. Not only is it a great ad, but one day it might help you save a life.
Sprint Fidelis on A Current Affair
We would strongly urge all patients concerned by the current media coverage of the potential Sprint Fidelis lead fractures to discuss their individual case with their treating physician.
The current media coverage does not relate to a new product hazard alert. The original alert was issued to doctors in October 2007 and several other communications have been made with doctors since then.
Patients should be assured that wherever issues are identified with products, doctors are provided with extensive information and recommendations in order to manage their patients appropriately. In the case of Sprint Fidelis, Medtronic ensured that treating practitioners were promptly provided information to allow them to exercise their clinical judgment as to whether and how to contact their patients about their leads.
Medtronic estimates more than 70,000 lives have been saved by implantable defibrillators over the past five years. Studies have shown ICDs to be 98 percent effective in treating dangerous arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
