Betavoltaic Powered Implantable Pacemakers

In the past there were many attempts to use betavoltaic devices as power sources for several different types of implantable medical devices. Although there were many attempts at producing a nuclear powered implantable medical device, most failed because of the trifling amount of power generated by the betavoltaic devices. The most promising of which was the nuclear powered cardiac pacemaker. This research project focuses on cardiac pacemakers and their compatibility with betavoltaic power sources. This book first provides background information regarding nuclear radiation, implantable pacemaker devices and their compatibility. The report then focuses on promising modern radiation power sources and their compatibility with modern implantable pacemakers. Finally an attempt is made to determine if nuclear powered implantable pacemakers are realistic in our modern age and if the medical world will make them available in the near future.