Wilson invented the first "usable" implanted cardiac pacemaker with a long life battery. This innovation was selected in 1983 by the National Society of Professional Engineers as one of the two major engineering contributions to society during the previous 50 years.
In the 1970s, Greatbatch introduced the lithium-iodide battery, which greatly extended the longevity of pacemakers and is now a standard cell for pacemakers.
By 1972, Greatbatch’s new pacemakers that could last more than ten years were on the market and being implanted in thousands of patients across the world. Today, Greatbatch Inc is a world-leading battery supplier for the medical device industry and the largest producer of pacemakers in the United States.
Wilson also held over 325 patents and a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
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