The History of Michigan Instruments: How One Man’s Vision Transformed Emergency Medicine Worldwide

In the early 1960s, a revolutionary concept was born in the unlikeliest of places and changed the world of emergency medicine forever. The groundbreaking idea, nurtured by Clare Barkalow, would later lead to the development of some of the most innovative CPR devices in history and the founding of Michigan Instruments. 

The journey began in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the Advanced Engineering Projects department at Lear Siegler, where Barkalow was working as an engineer in 1962. It was here that Barkalow envisioned and developed a device that could automate chest compressions during cardiac arrest. 

This invention, known as the External Cardiac Compressor (ECC), was initially tested on dogs and baboons, and the results were astonishing: 24 animals were successfully resuscitated after 90 minutes of fibrillation. These early successes hinted at the potential of automated CPR, but the full vision had yet to be realized.

Going Solo: The Founding of Michigan Instruments 

Despite the promising results and groundbreaking potential, Lear Siegler was not interested in pursuing the ECC further. Undeterred, Barkalow took a bold step. In 1963, he left the company and founded Michigan Instruments in Grand Rapids, where he continued to refine his invention, turning his vision into reality. By 1965, the first ECC for human use, the Model 1001, was released, setting the stage for a new era in cardiac resuscitation. 

A Perfect Alignment: The Birth of CPR

The late 1960s were a time of rapid development, not only for Michigan Instruments, but for healthcare in general. To put into perspective just how groundbreaking the idea of mechanical CPR was, it should be noted that the ECC was invented  at the same time that manual CPR itself was formally endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA), marking the beginning of a new era in life-saving technology. 

The ECC, featuring a pneumatically powered chest compressor, marked a significant advancement with about 100 units being sold across the United States, highlighting a growing recognition of automated resuscitation.

Michigan Instruments seized the momentum. The Model 1001 was soon joined by the Model 1002, a ventilator designed to work alongside the ECC. This paved the way for a unified device capable of both chest compressions and ventilation. 

In 1968, the two models were combined to create the Model 1003, initially known as Life-Aid® CPR. Life-Aid® CPR represented a monumental advancement in emergency medical care, as it was the first hands-free CPR system to integrate both chest compression and ventilation. The device was so successful that it gained international attention, being marketed globally under various names, including The Thumper® by Dixie USA and Sier Pulse by Siemens.

Pioneering Advances in Emergency Medicine

Over the next two decades, we continued to refine and improve our devices. For example, the Model 1004, which was introduced in 1974, featured a color-coded system for prescribing chest compression depth based on patient size, further enhancing the precision and effectiveness of CPR. 

Clinical studies, like John R. Allen’s “The use of the life aid cardiopulmonary resuscitator– preliminary report” (British Journal of Clinical Practice), began to validate the superiority of mechanical CPR over manual methods. These evaluations of the MII Life-Aid demonstrated clinical safety and the inadequacies of manual CPR, while underlining the advantages of the Life-Aid. These clinical studies helped to solidify Michigan Instruments’ reputation as a pioneer in the field, and soon led to MI listing the device with the FDA.

Clinical Studies Continue to Roll In 

• 1978: “Dallas EMS System Advocates Mechanical CPR in Emergency Medical Services” was published in July and August of 1978 by Bill G. Roberts and Jane M. Bryan. It showed how favorable the results of using the mechanical CPR devices were over manual CPR. 
• 1978: “External cardiac compression. A randomized comparison of mechanical and manual techniques” was published by Taylor, George J.; Richard Rubin; Michael Tucker; H. Leon Greene; Michael T. Rudikoff; and Myron L. Weisfeldt, and found that MI mechanical CPR compares with best of manual CPR and is indicated for longer term resuscitation or when manual CPR is difficult to perform.
• 1979: “Machine vs. manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation in moving vehicles” (Roberts, B.G.) was published in The EMT Journal, showing that MI mechanical CPR performs better CPR in a vehicle than manual CPR. It also showed fewer interruptions, plus a constant depth of compression with no pause, no risk of fatigue, with less personnel, and the ability to be more patient-accessible.
• 1979: “Clinical assessment of patients undergoing CPR in the emergency department”, published in JACEP by Lilja, G. Patrick; Martin Hill; Ernest Ruiz; and Joseph Clinton found that MI mechanical CPR performs well over long resuscitations and calms down hectic cardiac arrest situations.
• 1982: “Mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (Harmon, Annette L.) is published in Medical Instrumentation. At this point, MI mechanical CPR has been in use for 20 years and is proven more effective with less patient injury. 

These clinical studies demonstrated the superiority of mechanical CPR over manual CPR, especially during prolonged resuscitation efforts or in challenging environments like moving vehicles. They also aided to further prove that it is a valuable tool in defining effective CPR, including AHA Guideline protocols. 

The Innovations Continue 

The 1970’s and 1980s saw Michigan Instruments expand product lines and continue to push the boundaries of what was possible in CPR technology. These innovations further demonstrated our commitment to advancing both training and practical application in the medical field.

• 1976: Michigan Instruments recognized the need for comprehensive training and simulation in respiratory care, and released the Dual Adult Training & Test Lung under the trademark TTL® and VentAid®
• 1982: The Adult Infant Lung was developed and released under the trademark LifeSpan®
• 1984: The Programmable Thumper®, based on a 6502 embedded microprocessor system, was developed. It incorporated a microprocessor system and set a new standard for CPR research tools, helping to define effective CPR protocols.
• 1985: Model 1005 was released with an improved pneumatic control system, increased capacity for patient size, and increased adjustable compression force.

These advancements not only improved patient outcomes but also highlighted the limitations of manual CPR—such as rescuer fatigue and inconsistent compression depth—solidifying the importance of mechanical solutions in emergency care.

Expanding Horizons for Global Impact

We didn’t stop there; Michigan Instruments’ first trip to Japan in 1988 kicked off a field study and the introduction of the Thumper® to the medical community, expanding our reach to a global market. Over the next couple of decades, we continued to innovate, introducing new models and expanding our reach globally. 

• 1991: PneuView® DOS software with electronic instrumentation was integrated into the TTL product line. 
• 1997: PneuView® Windows software was introduced. It was also in this year that the single lung TTL was released.
• 2000s: MII’s products were in use not only in the United States but also in countries like Japan, France, and Ireland. 
• 2005 – Introduction of the Thumper 1007CCV and Thumper 1007CC
• 2008: The introduction of the Life-Stat® Model 1008, featuring an electronic control system, marked another leap forward in automated CPR technology.
• 2014:  The PneuView and TTL products were updated.  Updating the design and functionality of the device and particularly the Pneuview software.
• 2022: The Spontaneous Breathing Lung was introduced

With innovations and software integrations like PneuView®, our lung simulation products became essential tools for teaching, training, and equipment testing in universities, hospitals, and EMS services worldwide.

A Legacy of Life-Saving Technology, Innovation and Excellence

As a company, Michigan Instruments stands as a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. From Clare Barkalow’s initial idea in 1962, our devices have been instrumental in advancing CPR practices, aligning perfectly with the evolution of CPR guidelines over the decades.

Today, Michigan Instruments continues to impact global markets, including the USA, China, Europe, India, Brazil, and the Middle East. Our product lines have expanded to meet the diverse needs of healthcare professionals in many areas, emphasizing both quality and innovation.

Join the Revolution in CPR Practices

For over half a century, Michigan Instruments has been revolutionizing the way the world approaches cardiac resuscitation. Our automated CPR devices have proven time and time again to offer superior performance, reliability, and outcomes compared to manual methods. 

Isn’t it Time You Upgraded your CPR Practice?

For healthcare professionals looking to revolutionize their own CPR practices, we offer decades of proven expertise and cutting-edge technology. To this day, we are inspired by Barkalow’s determination to bring his idea to life, despite his employer declining to pursue it, and will continue to be at the forefront of developing lifesaving technology. 

With Michigan Instruments on your team, you can ensure that you’re equipped with the best tools for saving lives.

Partner with us to enhance your emergency response capabilities, improve patient survival rates, and stay ahead with cutting-edge technology that’s been trusted for decades.

Contact Michigan Instruments today to learn how our automated CPR devices and lung simulation products can transform your approach to emergency care.