The first patient controlled variable rate heart pacemaker was developed in Birmingham by cardiothoracic surgeon Leon Abrams and medical engineer Ray Lightwood.
Guidant Corporation
Pacemaker, metal and resin, Research and Cultural Collections
Its development started in response to high mortality associated with slow heart rates after open heart surgery. Electrodes were attached to the heart and then linked to an external pacemaker. It produced short pulses at adjustable intervals and intensities. It was subsequently developed as a commercial pacemaker with the support of the electronic engineering company Joseph Lucas Ltd., and became known as the ‘Lucas-Abrams’ model.
The first implant took place in March 1960, with two further implants the following month. These three patients made good recoveries and returned to a high quality of life. By 1966, 56 patients had undergone implantation with one surviving for over five and a half years. In 2002, there were still three surviving pacemaker patients in Birmingham whose first pacemaker had been a Lucas-Abrams model. Lucas and Abrams’ pioneering work was celebrated with the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in 2010.
This pacemaker is from the research collection of Professor Michael Gammage. He used his collection to further develop his own work and teach students. The collection was gifted to the University in 2014.
The latest recipient of a Blue Plaque is actor and humanitarian, Madeleine Carroll, who graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1926 with a BA with honours in French. You can find out more about the previous recipients in the Blue Plaque guide.
This article was written for Buzz - the University of Birmingham’s staff magazine. Each edition includes a ‘Campus Curiosity’ - an article on one of the thousands of objects cared for by Research & Cultural Collections. Take a look at the past editions of Buzz to read the previous Campus Curiosities articles.
