In early 1957, he participated in the operation where the world's first artificial cardiac pacemaker was employed by Lillehei.

In 1958, Arne Larsson in Sweden became the first patient to depend on an artificial cardiac pacemaker.

This patented innovation led to the Medtronic company of Minneapolis commencing manufacture and further development of artificial cardiac pacemakers.

Initial models of the artificial cardiac pacemaker was an external support device that transmits pulses of electricity to the heart muscles via electrode leads on the chest.

Medical inventions developed at Toronto include the glycaemic index, the infant cereal Pablum, the use of protective hypothermia in open heart surgery and the first artificial cardiac pacemaker.

TENS should not be used across an artificial cardiac pacemaker (or other indwelling stimulator, including across its leads) due to risk of interference and failure of the implanted device.

The electrical impulses are generated by a small device called a neurostimulator - similar to an artificial cardiac pacemaker - which is implanted in the buttock, chest, low abdomen, beneath the shoulder blade or below the clavicle.

In 1964, after being co-founder of Telectronics Pty. Ltd. in 1963, the company was invited to participate in artificial cardiac pacemaker research in which co-founder and initial financier Noel Gray and he as head of research and development made significant contributions.