Company Profile
Medtronic
Company Overview
Every 4 seconds, another life is enhanced by a Medtronic product or therapy.
At Medtronic, we're committed to Innovating for life by pushing the boundaries of medical technology and changing the way the world treats chronic disease.
Medtronic is the world’s largest medical technology company, offering an unprecedented breadth and depth of innovative therapies to fulfill our Mission of alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life. Last year, more than 8 million people relied on our medical therapies, which treat cardiac and vascular diseases, diabetes, and neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.
With a global reach that extends to more than 120 countries, we have a deep understanding of many universal healthcare challenges. We’re using our experience, extensive partnerships, and the passion of 45,000 employees to help transform healthcare worldwide by improving outcomes, expanding access, and enhancing value.
Company History
Today, we are the world's largest medical technology company, but we come from humble beginnings. Medtronic was founded in 1949 as a medical equipment repair shop by Earl Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie.
Did these two men set out to change medical technology and the lives of millions of people? No. But they did have a deep moral purpose and an inner drive to use their scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to help others.
That spirit – combined with our founders' personal integrity and passion – became our guiding philosophy and, ultimately, the Medtronic Mission.
Our first life-changing therapy – a wearable, battery-powered cardiac pacemaker – was the foundation for many more Medtronic therapies that use our electrical stimulation expertise to improve the lives of millions of people.
Over the years, we developed additional core technologies, including implantable mechanical devices, drug and biologic delivery devices, and powered and advanced energy surgical instruments. Today, our technologies are used to treat nearly 40 medical conditions.