The refurbished pulse generator.

Abstract

With the advent of long-life lithium pulse generators, normally functioning pulse generators with a potential life of more than five years have been removed from patients and become available for re-implantation. Although pulse generator refurbishing is widely employed, the practice has not been accepted in the United States. At The Royal Melbourne Hospital, all lithium pulse generators removed because of patient death or other causes were washed in a quaternary ammonium compound and soaked in formaldehyde. Pulse generators were than electronically tested and, if within specification, were made available for re-implantation. Pulse generators were then washed under sterile conditions in disti..