Hi Brian & Moonman,
Pacemakers typically are not an electronic reliability problem--as Brian
points out "no FR-4, just ceramics in titanium" [I have, however, seen
implant defibrillators with flexible housings where the stomach movements
caused SJ failure]. The reliability problem with pacemakers is external with
the electrodes to the heart muscles. As happened with one brand, these
electrodes can fatigue to breaking and than start wandering through the heart
muscle with ultimatally fatal results. Surgical removal is very difficult if
not impossible--legal  solution is 6-months check-ups. Not very comforting,
since in 6 months the heart beats about 20 million fatigue cycle pulses.
Brian, your example is an interesting case for non-functional lands which I
had never heard of before.
Sure hope you got a different brand Brian.

Best regards,
Werner Engelmaier

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