The name Greatbatch is associated globally with innovation and reliability in the context of healthcare and medicine , a reputation earned with cutting-edge equipment and instruments aimed at improving the patient ’ s wellbeing . Greatbatch is a key player in neurostimulation , CRM , cardiovascular , batteries and orthopedics . Wilson Greatbatch , who started the company in 1970 , created his first pacemaker during the 1950s . The company owns more than 2,000 patents and has been publicly traded since 2000 ( NYSE : GB ).