Ventritex

Ventritex was a pioneering medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) for the treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Founded in 1985, the company is best known for its Cadence and Contour series of ICDs, which were significantly smaller and more advanced than earlier models, allowing for pectoral rather than abdominal implantation. Ventritex played a crucial role in the evolution of cardiac rhythm management by introducing biphasic waveform technology, which improved defibrillation efficiency. The company went public in 1992 and was eventually acquired by St. Jude Medical in 1997 for approximately $505 million. Today, its legacy technologies continue to influence the cardiac device portfolios of Abbott Laboratories, which acquired St. Jude Medical in 2017.