MEDTRONIC INC
S-4/A, 1998-08-27
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON AUGUST 27, 1998
    
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO: 333-59725
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                         PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-4
    
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                                MEDTRONIC, INC.
 
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
          MINNESOTA                          3845                  41-0793183
 (State or other jurisdiction    (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer
              of                 Classification Code Number)     Identification
incorporation or organization)                                      Number)
</TABLE>
 
                            7000 CENTRAL AVENUE N.E.
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55432
                                 (612) 514-4000
 
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
                       ----------------------------------
 
                               CAROL E. MALKINSON
                  SENIOR LEGAL COUNSEL AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY
                                MEDTRONIC, INC.
                            7000 CENTRAL AVENUE N.E.
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55432
                                 (612) 514-4000
 
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                       ----------------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
        DAVID C. GRORUD, ESQ.                     C. KENT CARLSON, ESQ.
         MARY E. STRAND, ESQ.                      MARK R. BEATTY, ESQ.
       FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.                 PRESTON GATES & ELLIS LLP
 900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 1100           701 FIFTH AVENUE, SUITE 5000
  MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402-3397           SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104-7078
            (612) 347-7000                            (206) 623-7580
 
                       ----------------------------------
 
   APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
                                    PUBLIC:
 UPON CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
                       ----------------------------------
 
    If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
 
    If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /
 
    If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /
                       ----------------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM       AMOUNT OF
              TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                   AMOUNT TO         OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE          REGISTRATION
           SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED              BE REGISTERED(1)       PER SHARE         OFFERING PRICE        FEE(2)(3)
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share(4).........  10,000,000 shares    Not Applicable      Not Applicable       $156,903.13
</TABLE>
    
 
   
(1) Represents the approximate maximum number of shares issuable upon
    consummation of the Merger as described in the Registration Statement, based
    upon the anticipated maximum number of outstanding shares of Physio-Control
    International Corporation Common Stock at the Merger's Effective Time
    (20,000,000) and assuming for purposes of this calculation that the Average
    Stock Price for Medtronic, Inc. Common Stock is equal to $55.00, thereby
    resulting in a Conversion Fraction of 0.5 of a Medtronic, Inc. share issued
    for each Physio-Control International Corporation share.
    
 
   
(2) The registration fee was calculated pursuant to Section 6 of the Securities
    Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and Rules 457(f)(1) and 457(c)
    thereunder, as 0.000295 multiplied by the product of (A) 20,000,000, the
    anticipated maximum number of Physio-Control International Corporation
    shares that may be exchanged pursuant to the Merger, multiplied by (B)
    $26.59375, the average of the high and low sale prices of Physio-Control
    International Corporation Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National
    Market on July 20, 1998, which date was within five business days prior to
    the date of the original filing of the Registration Statement on July 23,
    1998.
    
 
   
(3) The entire registration fee was paid at the time of original filing of the
    Registration Statement on July 23, 1998.
    
 
   
(4) Each share of Medtronic Common Stock includes a Preferred Stock Purchase
    Right pursuant to Medtronic's Shareholder Rights Plan.
    
                       ----------------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON
SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY
DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
   
                          [LETTERHEAD]
 
                                                                 August 31, 1998
    
 
Dear Physio-Control Shareholder:
 
   
    I am pleased to invite you to attend the Special Meeting of Shareholders of
Physio-Control International Corporation ("Physio-Control"), which will be held
on September 29, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time, at Physio-Control's corporate
headquarters, located at 11811 Willows Road NE, Redmond, Washington. At the
meeting you will be asked to consider and vote upon a Plan of Merger and an
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 27, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement")
that provide for the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc. into
Physio-Control.
    
 
    Under the terms of the Plan of Merger and the Merger Agreement,
Physio-Control shareholders will receive $27.50 in shares of Medtronic Common
Stock in exchange for each of their shares of Physio-Control Common Stock.
 
    The materials accompanying this letter include a Notice of Special Meeting
of Shareholders, a Proxy Statement/Prospectus relating to the proposal to be
voted upon at the Special Meeting, and a proxy card. The attached Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is intended to provide you with the information that you
will need to make an informed decision regarding how you should vote on the
proposed merger. It also serves as a Prospectus for Medtronic, describing the
investment in Medtronic that you will be making if the merger is approved and
you exchange your Physio-Control Common Stock for Medtronic Common Stock. Copies
of the Plan of Merger and the Merger Agreement are attached to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus as Appendices A and B. I urge you to read this information
carefully before voting on the proposed merger.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION IS FAIR AND IN
THE BEST INTERESTS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS AND UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE PLAN OF MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THE BOARD
BELIEVES THAT THE MERGER WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, PERMIT PHYSIO-CONTROL
SHAREHOLDERS TO CONTINUE THEIR EQUITY PARTICIPATION ON A TAX-FREE BASIS IN A
LARGER, MORE DIVERSIFIED MEDICAL PRODUCTS ENTERPRISE.
 
    The Board of Directors of Physio-Control retained the investment banking
firm of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated to advise it with respect to the
consideration to be received in the merger. Such firm provided a written opinion
to the Physio-Control Board that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to
the assumptions made, matters considered, and limitations on the review
undertaken, the consideration to be received by the holders of Physio-Control
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair from a financial point of
view to such holders. A copy of its opinion is attached to the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus as Appendix D.
 
    The Plan of Merger and the Merger Agreement must be approved by the holders
of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Physio-Control Common Stock. Your
vote on this matter is very important. We urge you to carefully review the
enclosed material and to return your proxy promptly.
<PAGE>
    WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND PROMPTLY
RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. IF YOU ATTEND THE
MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU WISH, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY
RETURNED YOUR PROXY.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
   
                                          /s/ Richard O. Martin
    
 
                                          Richard O. Martin
                                          CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                             11811 WILLOWS ROAD NE
                         REDMOND, WASHINGTON 98073-9706
 
                            ------------------------
 
                   NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
   
                         TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 29, 1998
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION:
 
   
    A Special Meeting of the Shareholders of Physio-Control International
Corporation ("Physio-Control") will be held at Physio-Control's corporate
headquarters, located at 11811 Willows Road NE, Redmond, Washington, on
September 29, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time, to consider and act upon a
proposal to approve a Plan of Merger and an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement"), copies of which are included as Appendices A and B to the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus accompanying this Notice. Pursuant to the Plan of
Merger and the Merger Agreement, (a) PC Merger Corp. ("Merger Subsidiary") will
be merged into Physio-Control, with Physio-Control to be the surviving
corporation and to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc.
("Medtronic"), and (b) holders of Physio-Control common stock, par value $.01
per share ("Physio-Control Common Stock"), will receive shares of Medtronic
common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Medtronic Common Stock"), based upon a
conversion fraction described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus accompanying
this Notice.
    
 
    With respect to the proposal to approve the Plan of Merger and the Merger
Agreement, Physio-Control shareholders have a right to dissent and obtain
payment in cash for their shares by complying with the terms and procedures of
Chapter 23B.13 of the Washington Business Corporation Act, a copy of which is
included as Appendix C to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus accompanying this
Notice.
 
   
    Only shareholders of record as shown on the books of Physio-Control at the
close of business on August 26, 1998 are entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Special Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
    
 
    Information relating to the above proposal is set forth in the attached
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Approval of the Plan of Merger and the Merger
Agreement will require the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
shares of Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding on the record date. All
shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting in person.
 
                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
   
                                          /s/ V. Marc Droppert
    
 
                                          V. Marc Droppert
 
                                          SECRETARY
 
   
August 31, 1998
    
 
 WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN,
  AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
   RETURN ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES
             DO NOT SEND ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THE PROXY CARD
<PAGE>
                           PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
  Physio-Control International Corporation                    Medtronic, Inc.
            11811 Willows Road NE                        7000 Central Avenue N.E.
       Redmond, Washington 98073-9706                  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55432
          Telephone: (425) 867-4000                      Telephone: (612) 514-4000
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
                       SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                        TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 29, 1998
    
 
                             ---------------------
 
   
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to the shareholders of
Physio-Control International Corporation ("Physio-Control") in connection with
the special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") of Physio-Control to be held
at Physio-Control's corporate headquarters, located at 11811 Willows Road NE,
Redmond, Washington, on September 29, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. At the Meeting, Physio-
Control shareholders will be asked to consider and act upon a proposal to
approve the Plan of Merger attached hereto as Appendix A and the Agreement and
Plan of Merger attached hereto as Appendix B, pursuant to which (a) PC Merger
Corp. ("Merger Subsidiary"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc.
("Medtronic"), will be merged (the "Merger") into Physio-Control, which will be
the surviving corporation in the Merger and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Medtronic, and (b) each share of Physio-Control common stock, par value $.01 per
share ("Physio-Control Common Stock"), will be converted into a portion of a
share of Medtronic common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Medtronic Common
Stock"), as described in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
    
 
   
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus also constitutes the Prospectus of Medtronic
with respect to the shares of Medtronic Common Stock to be issued in the Merger.
Medtronic has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") covering the shares of Medtronic Common
Stock that may be issued in connection with the Merger, based on the Conversion
Fraction described in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Medtronic Common
Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "MDT."
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus and accompanying letter to Physio-Control
shareholders, Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders, and form of proxy for
use at the Meeting are first being mailed to Physio-Control shareholders on or
about August 31, 1998.
    
 
    NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
    Information contained or incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus regarding Medtronic has been supplied by Medtronic.
Information contained or incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus regarding Physio-Control has been supplied by
Physio-Control.
 
   
    Additional copies of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Proxy card to
be returned for the Meeting can be obtained from Physio-Control, 11811 Willows
Road NE, Redmond, Washington 98073-9706, Attention: Corporate Secretary,
telephone (425) 867-4000. QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING AND
SUBMITTING PROXY CARDS MAY ALSO BE DIRECTED TO INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, 501
MADISON AVENUE, 20TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022, TELEPHONE 1-888-750-5834.
    
 
   
        THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS AUGUST 27, 1998.
    
<PAGE>
    No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus or
the documents incorporated by reference herein, and any information or
representations not contained herein or therein may not be relied upon as having
been authorized. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not constitute an offer to
sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Medtronic Common Stock offered by
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any
circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The delivery of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not imply that the information herein is
correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is a prospectus of Medtronic delivered in
compliance with the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"). This Proxy
Statement/Prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form S-4
(the "Registration Statement") filed by Medtronic with the Commission under the
Securities Act with respect to the Medtronic Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the Merger. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all
of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. For further information with respect to Medtronic,
Physio-Control, and the Medtronic Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made
to the Registration Statement, exhibits, and schedules. Statements contained in
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other
document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such contract or document filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement or such other document, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference.
 
    Medtronic and Physio-Control are subject to the informational requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, each files reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information with the Commission. The public may read and copy the Registration
Statement and the reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information filed by each of Medtronic and Physio-Control pursuant to the
Exchange Act at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, or at one of the Commission's regional offices:
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York, 10048. Copies of all or any part
of such Medtronic material are available for inspection at the offices of the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Copies
of all or any part of such Physio-Control material are available for inspection
at the offices of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The
public may obtain information on the operation of the Commission's Public
Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission
maintains an Internet site at "http://www.sec.gov" containing reports, proxy and
information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the Commission, including Medtronic and Physio-Control.
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
   
    THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
MEDTRONIC AND PHYSIO-CONTROL WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON,
INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM A COPY OF THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, ON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST, COPIES OF ANY AND
ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN THE EXHIBITS THERETO, UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE
SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE INFORMATION THAT THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES) OF MEDTRONIC OR PHYSIO-CONTROL, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
MEDTRONIC, INC., 7000 CENTRAL AVENUE N.E., MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55432,
ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, M.S. 206, TELEPHONE (612) 514-3035 OR
TO PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, 11811 WILLOWS ROAD NE, REDMOND,
WASHINGTON 98073-9706, ATTENTION: CORPORATE SECRETARY, TELEPHONE (425) 867-4000.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE
MADE NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 22, 1998.
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
    The following Physio-Control documents are incorporated by reference herein:
 
    1.  Physio-Control's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
       December 31, 1997.
 
   
    2.  Physio-Control's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
       ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998.
    
 
    3.  Physio-Control's Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 10, 1998.
 
    4.  The description of Physio-Control's Common Stock contained in
       Physio-Control's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under Section
       12 of the Exchange Act.
 
    All documents filed by Physio-Control with the Commission pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof
and prior to the date of the Meeting shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein and shall be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.
 
    The following Medtronic documents are incorporated by reference herein:
 
    1.  Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April
       30, 1998.
 
   
    2.  Medtronic's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed July 8, 1998, July 16,
       1998, and August 20, 1998.
    
 
    3.  The description of Medtronic's Common Stock contained in Medtronic's
       Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange
       Act.
 
    4.  The description of Medtronic's Preferred Stock Purchase Rights attached
       to its Common Stock contained in Medtronic's Registration Statement on
       Form 8-A filed under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
 
    All documents filed by Medtronic with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior
to the date of the Meeting shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein and shall be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
 
    Any statements contained in a document incorporated by reference herein
shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent
that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document
that also is incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to
constitute a part hereof except as so modified or superseded.
 
          CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
    Certain statements contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including
information included or incorporated by reference herein) and other written and
oral statements made from time to time by Medtronic and Physio-Control do not
relate strictly to historical or current facts. As such, they are considered
"forward-looking statements" which provide current expectations or forecasts of
future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such
as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could,"
"possible," "plan," "project," "will," "forecast" and similar words or
expressions. Medtronic's and Physio-Control's respective forward-looking
statements generally relate to their respective growth strategies, financial
results, product development and regulatory approval programs, and sales
efforts. One must carefully consider forward-looking statements and understand
that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and
unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no
forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary
materially. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors affecting
Medtronic's or Physio-Control's respective forward-looking statements, and
investors therefore should not consider any list of factors affecting
Medtronic's or Physio-Control's respective forward-looking statements to be an
exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or potentially inaccurate
assumptions. Neither Medtronic nor Physio-Control undertakes any obligation to
update any forward-looking statement.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
    Although it is not possible to create a comprehensive list of all factors
that may cause actual results to differ from Medtronic's or Physio-Control's
forward-looking statements, such factors include, among others, (i) trends
toward managed care, health care cost containment, and other changes in
government and private sector initiatives, in the United States and other
countries in which Medtronic or Physio-Control do business, that are placing
increased emphasis on the delivery of more cost-effective medical therapies;
(ii) the trend of consolidation in the medical device industry as well as among
customers of medical device manufacturers, resulting in more significant,
complex, and long-term contracts than in the past and potentially greater
pricing pressures; (iii) the difficulties and uncertainties associated with the
lengthy and costly new product development and regulatory approval processes,
which may result in lost market opportunities or preclude product
commercialization; (iv) efficacy or safety concerns with respect to marketed
products, whether scientifically justified or not, that may lead to product
recalls, withdrawals, or declining sales; (v) changes in governmental laws,
regulations, and accounting standards and the enforcement thereof that may be
adverse to Medtronic or Physio-Control; (vi) increased public interest in recent
years in product liability claims for implanted medical devices, including
pacemakers and leads; (vii) other legal factors including environmental concerns
and patent or other intellectual property disputes with competitors or others;
(viii) agency or government actions or investigations affecting the industry in
general or Medtronic or Physio-Control in particular; (ix) the development of
new products or technologies by competitors, technological obsolescence, and
other changes in competitive factors; (x) risks associated with maintaining and
expanding international operations; (xi) business acquisitions, dispositions,
discontinuations or restructurings by Medtronic or Physio-Control; (xii) the
integration of businesses acquired by Medtronic or Physio-Control; and (xiii)
economic factors over which Medtronic or Physio-Control has no control,
including changes in inflation, foreign currency rates, and interest rates.
Medtronic and Physio-Control note these factors as permitted by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
SUMMARY...................................................................     7
GENERAL INFORMATION.......................................................    19
THE MERGER................................................................    21
  General.................................................................    21
  Effective Time of the Merger............................................    21
  Background of the Merger................................................    21
  Physio-Control's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the
    Physio-Control Board of Directors.....................................    24
  Medtronic's Reasons for the Merger......................................    25
  Opinion of Physio-Control's Financial Advisor...........................    25
  Vote Required...........................................................    29
  Conversion of Physio-Control Common Stock in the Merger.................    29
  Shareholder Rights Plan.................................................    31
  Treatment of Stock Options..............................................    31
  Conduct of Business of Physio-Control Pending the Merger................    31
  Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger..............................    32
  Voting Agreements.......................................................    33
  Stock Option Agreement..................................................    34
  Conditions; Waiver......................................................    34
  Amendment and Termination of the Merger Agreement.......................    35
  Expenses and Fees.......................................................    36
  Restrictions on Resale of Medtronic Common Stock........................    36
  Deregistration of Physio-Control Common Stock...........................    37
  Accounting Treatment of the Merger......................................    37
  Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................    37
  Indemnification.........................................................    39
  Regulatory Requirements.................................................    39
  Rights of Dissenting Physio-Control Shareholders........................    40
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS....................................    42
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.......................................................    43
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF MEDTRONIC SHAREHOLDERS AND PHYSIO-CONTROL
  SHAREHOLDERS............................................................    43
  Classification, Removal and Election of Directors.......................    43
  Preferred Stock.........................................................    45
  Special Meetings of Shareholders........................................    45
  Voting Rights; Shareholder Approvals....................................    46
  Cumulative Voting.......................................................    46
  Preemptive Rights.......................................................    47
  Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation..............................    47
  Business Combinations and Control Share Acquisitions....................    47
  Shareholder Rights Plan.................................................    48
  Related Person Business Transactions....................................    48
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSIO-CONTROL AND
  MEDTRONIC...............................................................    49
LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................    49
EXPERTS...................................................................    49
APPENDIX A--Plan of Merger................................................   A-1
APPENDIX B--Agreement and Plan of Merger..................................   B-1
APPENDIX C--Chapter 23B.13 of Washington Business Corporation Act.........   C-1
APPENDIX D--Opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated..................   D-1
</TABLE>
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND IN THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY
REFERENCE. CERTAIN CAPITALIZED TERMS USED IN THIS SUMMARY ARE DEFINED ELSEWHERE
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. REFERENCE IS MADE TO, AND THIS SUMMARY IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE APPENDICES HERETO, AND THE DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BY REFERENCE.
 
                             PARTIES TO THE MERGER
 
   
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PHYSIO-CONTROL:                Physio-Control International Corporation ("Physio-Control"),
                               a Washington corporation, was founded in 1955 and
                               reincorporated in Washington in 1997. Physio-Control
                               designs, manufactures, markets and services an integrated
                               line of noninvasive emergency cardiac defibrillator and
                               vital sign assessment devices, disposable electrodes and
                               data management software. Physio-Control's products are used
                               in both out-of-hospital and hospital settings for the
                               detection and treatment of life-threatening events including
                               trauma, heart attack and the acute heart rhythm disturbances
                               of ventricular fibrillation, tachycardia and bradycardia.
 
                               Physio-Control's principal offices and corporate
                               headquarters are located at 11811 Willows Road NE, Redmond,
                               Washington 98073-9706, telephone: (425) 867-4000. See
                               "Information Incorporated by Reference" and "Information
                               Regarding Physio-Control."
 
MEDTRONIC:                     Medtronic, Inc. ("Medtronic"), a Minnesota corporation, was
                               incorporated in 1957. Medtronic is the world's leading
                               medical technology company specializing in implantable and
                               interventional therapies. Its primary products include those
                               for bradycardia pacing, tachyarrhythmia management, atrial
                               fibrillation management, heart failure management, coronary
                               and peripheral vascular disease, heart valve replacement,
                               extracorporeal cardiac support, minimally invasive cardiac
                               surgery, malignant and non-malignant pain, movement
                               disorders, neurosurgery and neurodegenerative disorders.
                               Medtronic serves customers and patients in more than 120
                               countries.
 
                               Medtronic's principal offices and corporate headquarters are
                               located at 7000 Central Avenue N.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota
                               55432, telephone: (612) 514-4000. See "Information
                               Incorporated by Reference."
 
PC MERGER CORP.:               PC Merger Corp. ("Merger Subsidiary"), a Washington
                               corporation, is a corporation recently organized by
                               Medtronic for the purpose of effecting the Merger. It has no
                               material assets and has not engaged in any activities except
                               in connection with the proposed Merger.
 
                           PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
 
TIME, DATE, AND PLACE OF
  MEETING:                     A special meeting of shareholders of Physio-Control will be
                               held on September 29, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time, at
                               Physio-Control's
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                                       7
<PAGE>
 
   
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                               corporate headquarters, located at 11811 Willows Road NE,
                               Redmond, Washington (the "Meeting").
 
PURPOSE OF THE MEETING:        The purpose of the Meeting is to consider and vote upon a
                               proposal to approve the Plan of Merger attached hereto as
                               Appendix A and the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
                               June 27, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement"), among Medtronic,
                               Physio-Control, and Merger Subsidiary, which is attached
                               hereto as Appendix B, providing for the merger (the
                               "Merger") of Merger Subsidiary into Physio-Control, as a
                               result of which Physio-Control will become a wholly-owned
                               subsidiary of Medtronic. Other terms and provisions related
                               to the Merger are set forth in the Merger Agreement, which
                               is summarized in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
 
RECORD DATE:                   Only holders of record of Physio-Control Common Stock at the
                               close of business on August 26, 1998, will be entitled to
                               notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or
                               adjournments thereof.
 
VOTE REQUIRED:                 The affirmative vote by the holders of two-thirds of the
                               outstanding shares of Physio-Control Common Stock is
                               required to approve the Plan of Merger and the Merger
                               Agreement. As of the record date, 17,732,809 shares of
                               Physio-Control Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to
                               vote. Of such shares, 136,979 shares (less than 1% of the
                               shares entitled to vote at the Meeting) are beneficially
                               owned by directors and executive officers of Physio-Control.
                               Physio-Control's directors and executive officers who hold
                               stock or options to purchase stock of Physio-Control have
                               executed voting agreements under which such persons agreed
                               to vote the shares of Physio-Control Common Stock
                               beneficially owned by them in favor of the Merger.
 
                               Physio-Control shareholders have the power to revoke proxies
                               previously given by them before the shares represented by
                               any such proxies are voted at the Meeting. See "General
                               Information."
 
                               Approval of the Plan of Merger and the Merger Agreement by
                               Medtronic shareholders is not required under Minnesota law
                               and, accordingly, will not be sought. See "The Merger--Vote
                               Required."
 
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS:            Under Washington law, holders of Physio-Control Common Stock
                               who give proper notice to Physio-Control and who do not vote
                               in favor of the Merger have the right to receive in cash the
                               "fair value" of their Physio-Control shares in lieu of
                               Medtronic Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. See "The
                               Merger--Rights of Dissenting Physio-Control Shareholders"
                               and Chapter 23B.13 of the Washington Business Corporation
                               Act (the "WBCA"), a copy of which is attached hereto as
                               Appendix C. Holders of Medtronic Common Stock do not have
                               dissenters' rights in connection with the Merger.
 
                                 DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER
 
GENERAL; EXCHANGE:             Upon consummation of the Merger, Merger Subsidiary will be
                               merged into Physio-Control and Physio-Control will become a
                               wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic. Each share of
                               Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
                               the Merger
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
   
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                               (excluding any shares as to which dissenters' rights have
                               been properly exercised) will be converted into the portion
                               of a share (the "Conversion Fraction") of Medtronic Common
                               Stock equal to $27.50 divided by the average of the daily
                               closing sale prices of Medtronic Common Stock as reported on
                               the NYSE Composite Tape (the "Average Stock Price") for the
                               19 consecutive NYSE trading days ending on the first NYSE
                               trading day immediately preceding the Effective Time of the
                               Merger.
 
                               The Conversion Fraction is subject to appropriate adjustment
                               in the event of a stock split, combination, stock dividend,
                               or other distribution of shares of the Medtronic Common
                               Stock prior to the Effective Time of the Merger. See "The
                               Merger."
 
                               Each share of Medtronic Common Stock received in the Merger
                               will also represent one Preferred Stock Purchase Right under
                               Medtronic's Shareholder Rights Plan. See "The
                               Merger--Shareholder Rights Plan."
 
                               Persons entitled to fractional shares of Medtronic Common
                               Stock upon such conversion shall receive a cash payment in
                               lieu thereof. See "The Merger--Conversion of Physio-Control
                               Common Stock in the Merger--Fractional Shares."
 
                               If the Merger is approved and the Merger is completed,
                               Physio-Control shareholders will be instructed to deliver to
                               Medtronic's exchange agent for the Merger a letter of
                               transmittal, which will be sent to such shareholders
                               following the Merger, together with certificates evidencing
                               each shareholder's Physio-Control Common Stock, in exchange
                               for the Medtronic Common Stock and, if applicable, cash in
                               lieu of any fractional shares of Medtronic Common Stock.
                               PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND IN THEIR
                               CERTIFICATES UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. See
                               "The Merger--Conversion of Physio-Control Common Stock in
                               the Merger."
 
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER:  It is expected that the Merger will become effective within
                               10 business days following approval of the Plan of Merger
                               and the Merger Agreement by the requisite vote of the
                               Physio-Control shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver
                               of the other conditions to the Merger, upon the filing of
                               articles of merger with the Washington Secretary of State.
                               See "The Merger--Effective Time of the Merger" and "--
                               Conditions; Waiver."
 
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER:      The terms of the Merger Agreement are the result of
                               arm's-length negotiations between representatives of
                               Medtronic and Physio-Control. The following is a brief
                               discussion of the background of these negotiations, the
                               Merger, and related transactions.
 
                               In January 1998, Physio-Control engaged Morgan Stanley & Co.
                               Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley") to assist in a possible sale
                               of Physio-Control. On February 3, 1998, Morgan Stanley
                               contacted Medtronic regarding whether it had any interest in
                               a transaction with Physio-Control. Following that initial
                               contact, representatives of both
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
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                               companies and their financial advisors held several meetings
                               in March and April 1998 regarding a possible transaction.
 
                               On April 16, 1998, the parties executed a confidentiality
                               agreement. Medtronic presented certain nonfinancial terms
                               for discussion with Physio-Control on April 28, 1998 and
                               presented certain financial terms for discussion on May 5,
                               1998. Following further discussions of terms and negotiation
                               of definitive agreements among the parties and their
                               advisors, and Medtronic's review of due diligence
                               information regarding Physio-Control, on June 20, 1998, the
                               parties reached tentative agreement on possible resolutions
                               of certain outstanding issues, subject to approval of the
                               parties' respective Boards of Directors.
 
                               On June 25, 1998, the Board of Directors of Medtronic
                               approved the acquisition of Physio-Control, subject to final
                               negotiations of outstanding issues by senior management.
                               Negotiations continued through June 27, 1998. On June 27,
                               1998, the Board of Directors of Physio-Control unanimously
                               approved the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Plan of
                               Merger. The Merger Agreement was signed following the
                               conclusion of the meeting of the Board of Directors of
                               Physio-Control. See "The Merger--Background of the Merger,"
                               "--Physio-Control's Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation
                               of the Physio-Control Board of Directors," "--Medtronic's
                               Reasons for the Merger," and "--Opinion of Physio-Control's
                               Financial Advisor."
 
REASONS FOR THE MERGER:        In reaching its conclusions to approve the Merger Agreement
                               and to recommend the approval of the Plan of Merger and the
                               Merger Agreement by the Physio-Control shareholders, the
                               Physio-Control Board of Directors considered various
                               factors, including the opportunity for Physio-Control
                               shareholders to continue equity participation in a larger,
                               more diversified medical device company at a premium over
                               current market prices for Physio-Control Common Stock; the
                               opportunity for enhanced product development, marketing, and
                               sales by Physio-Control; Medtronic's reputation and
                               resources; the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement;
                               the fairness opinion provided by Morgan Stanley; the price
                               offered to Physio-Control shareholders and historical
                               trading prices for Physio-Control Common Stock and Medtronic
                               Common Stock; the likelihood of consummation of the Merger;
                               and the expectation that the Merger will be nontaxable to
                               the shareholders of Physio-Control for United States federal
                               income tax purposes.
 
                               THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL HAS UNANIMOUSLY
                               APPROVED THE MERGER, AND THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE
                               SHAREHOLDERS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN OF
                               MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
 
                               See "The Merger--Physio-Control's Reasons for the Merger;
                               Recommendation of the Physio-Control Board of Directors,"
                               "-- Medtronic's Reasons for the Merger," "--Opinion of
                               Physio-Control's Financial Advisor," and "Comparative Stock
                               Prices and
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
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                               Dividends." For information on the interests of certain
                               persons in the Merger, see "The Merger--Interests of Certain
                               Persons in the Merger."
 
PHYSIO-CONTROL'S FINANCIAL
  ADVISOR:                     Morgan Stanley was retained by Physio-Control to advise it
                               with respect to proposals for the acquisition of
                               Physio-Control. Morgan Stanley has rendered its written
                               opinion that, as of the date of such opinion, the
                               consideration to be received by the holders of Physio-
                               Control Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement is
                               fair from a financial point of view to such holders. The
                               full text of the opinion of Morgan Stanley, which contains
                               information, among other things, as to the assumptions made,
                               matters considered, and the scope and limitations on the
                               review undertaken, is set forth as Appendix D to this Proxy
                               Statement/Prospectus, and holders of Physio-Control Common
                               Stock are urged to read the opinion in its entirety. See
                               "The Merger--Opinion of Physio-Control's Financial Advisor."
 
FLUCTUATION IN MARKET PRICE:   The number of shares of Medtronic Common Stock received in
                               the Merger will depend on the market value of Medtronic
                               Common Stock, which is subject to fluctuation. There can be
                               no assurance that the recent market prices of Medtronic
                               Common Stock will be maintained until or after the
                               consummation of the Merger. See "Comparative Stock Prices
                               and Dividends" and "The Merger-- Conversion of
                               Physio-Control Common Stock in the Merger."
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
  CONSEQUENCES:                The Merger is expected to be treated as a tax-free
                               reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A)
                               and 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
                               amended (the "Code"). Medtronic, Physio-Control and Merger
                               Subsidiary will each be a "party to the reorganization"
                               within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
 
                               Physio-Control has received an opinion of counsel to
                               Physio-Control to the effect that, assuming the Merger is
                               consummated in accordance with the Merger Agreement, no gain
                               or loss will be recognized by Physio-Control or its
                               shareholders upon their receipt of Medtronic Common Stock in
                               exchange for their Physio-Control Common Stock. A
                               Physio-Control shareholder receiving cash in lieu of
                               fractional shares or exercising dissenters' rights, however,
                               will be required to recognize gain, if any, realized in the
                               transaction but not in excess of the cash received by such
                               shareholder. The opinion is based upon and subject to
                               customary representations made to such counsel. See "The
                               Merger--Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT:          Medtronic intends to account for the Merger as a "pooling of
                               interests" for accounting and financial reporting purposes
                               under generally accepted accounting principles. Consummation
                               of the Merger may be conditioned upon Medtronic and
                               Physio-Control receiving letters from PricewaterhouseCoopers
                               LLP, Medtronic's and Physio-Control's independent
                               accountants, confirming that no conditions exist that would
                               preclude Medtronic from accounting for
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
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                               the Merger as a pooling of interests transaction. In order
                               to be eligible to use the pooling of interests method to
                               account for the Merger, Medtronic will sell prior to the
                               Merger a number of shares of Medtronic Common Stock equal to
                               that number of shares which are tainted for purposes of
                               pooling of interests accounting and were purchased by
                               Medtronic in the open market pursuant to its share
                               repurchase program. See "The Merger--Accounting Treatment of
                               the Merger."
 
TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS:    Pursuant to the terms of the outstanding options to purchase
                               Physio-Control Common Stock, such options that are not
                               otherwise vested will be accelerated and fully vested as a
                               result of the Merger. All options that are not exercised and
                               remain outstanding at the Effective Time will be assumed by
                               Medtronic and will thereafter be exercisable on the same
                               terms and conditions, except for appropriate adjustments to
                               reflect the Conversion Fraction and conversion into options
                               to purchase Medtronic Common Stock. See "The
                               Merger--Treatment of Stock Options" and "--Interests of
                               Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
  IN THE MERGER:               In considering the recommendation of the Board of Directors
                               of Physio-Control with respect to the Plan of Merger, the
                               Merger Agreement, and the transactions contemplated thereby,
                               shareholders of Physio-Control should be aware that certain
                               executive officers and directors of Physio-Control have
                               certain interests in the Merger that are in addition to, and
                               may conflict with, the interests of shareholders of
                               Physio-Control generally. These interests include, among
                               other things, the interests of certain executives and
                               directors of Physio-Control in stock options that will vest
                               and become exercisable as a result of the Merger, and the
                               obligation of Medtronic to cause Physio-Control to continue
                               to provide certain indemnification, limited liability, and
                               related insurance coverage to directors, officers,
                               employees, and agents of Physio-Control following the
                               Merger.
 
                               Four executive officers of Physio-Control have also executed
                               separate noncompetition agreements with Medtronic,
                               conditioned upon the effectiveness of the Merger, pursuant
                               to which these individuals have agreed that they will not be
                               employed by, associated with, or render services to certain
                               competitive businesses, anywhere in the world, for 42 months
                               after the Merger. In addition, those four executive officers
                               are parties to termination agreements with Physio-Control
                               that provide certain payments and other benefits to these
                               individuals if, during the two-year period following a
                               "change in control" of Physio-Control (such as the Merger),
                               (i) such individual's employment is terminated by
                               Physio-Control other than for death, disability, or "for
                               cause" or (ii) the nature of such individual's employment
                               with Physio-Control is changed in a materially adverse
                               manner.
 
                               The Physio-Control Board of Directors was aware of each of
                               these interests and considered them, among other matters, in
                               approving the Merger Agreement. See "The Merger--Interests
                               of Certain Persons in the Merger."
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   
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REGULATORY APPROVAL:           The only federal or state regulatory approval needed to
                               effect the Merger is the expiration or termination of all
                               applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
                               Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act"). On
                               August 12, 1998, Medtronic and Physio-Control received a
                               request for additional information relating to the
                               notifications that they had earlier filed under the HSR Act.
                               This request extends the waiting period during which the
                               applicable governmental authorities can review the Merger.
                               The waiting period will expire on the 20th day after the
                               companies substantially comply with the request. The
                               companies intend to respond promptly to the request.
                               Medtronic and Physio-Control do not expect international
                               regulatory filings that may be required, if any, to affect
                               the expected timing of the Merger. See "The
                               Merger--Regulatory Requirements."
 
NO SOLICITATION:               Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Physio-Control and its
                               representatives cannot, prior to the Effective Time or
                               earlier termination of the Merger Agreement, encourage,
                               solicit, discuss, or negotiate with any person (other than
                               Medtronic) concerning any merger, sale, or license of any
                               significant portion of the Physio-Control assets or similar
                               transaction, except to the extent required by the fiduciary
                               obligations of the Physio-Control Board and in accordance
                               with the provisions of the Merger Agreement. See "The
                               Merger--Conduct of Business of Physio-Control Pending the
                               Merger."
 
CONDITIONS TO MERGER:          The respective obligations of Medtronic, Merger Subsidiary,
                               and Physio-Control to effect the Merger are subject to the
                               satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Merger of certain
                               conditions. See "The Merger--Conditions; Waiver."
 
TERMINATION:                   The Merger Agreement may be terminated prior to the
                               Effective Time, whether before or after approval of the
                               Merger by the Physio-Control shareholders, in certain
                               specified events. Upon certain of such terminations,
                               Physio-Control is required to pay to Medtronic a termination
                               fee of $15 million. See "The Merger--Amendment and
                               Termination of the Merger Agreement."
 
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT:        In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement,
                               Medtronic and Physio-Control entered into a Stock Option
                               Agreement pursuant to which Physio-Control granted to
                               Medtronic an option to purchase up to 3,526,683 shares of
                               Physio-Control Common Stock (or 19.9% of the outstanding
                               shares of Physio-Control Common Stock as of June 27, 1998)
                               at an exercise price of $27.50 per share. The option is
                               exercisable upon the occurrence of certain events and
                               provides Medtronic with the right, under certain
                               circumstances, to require Physio-Control to repurchase the
                               option for its in-the-money value, provided that the sum of
                               any termination fee and the amount paid to repurchase the
                               option cannot exceed $20 million. The option, which
                               Medtronic required as a condition to Medtronic's entering
                               into the Merger Agreement, may increase the likelihood of
                               consummation of the Merger. See "The Merger--Stock Option
                               Agreement" and "--Amendment and Termination of the Merger
                               Agreement."
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                                       13
<PAGE>
 COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF MEDTRONIC SHAREHOLDERS AND PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS
 
   
    Medtronic and Physio-Control are incorporated under the laws of the States
of Minnesota and Washington, respectively. The rights of Physio-Control
shareholders are currently governed by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
of Physio-Control. Upon consummation of the Merger, Physio-Control shareholders
will become shareholders of Medtronic and their rights as such will be governed
by the Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended, of Medtronic.
See "Comparative Rights of Medtronic Shareholders and Physio-Control
Shareholders."
    
 
           RECENT PRICES OF MEDTRONIC AND PHYSIO-CONTROL COMMON STOCK
 
   
    On June 26, 1998, the last trading day preceding public announcement of the
Merger Agreement, the reported closing sale price of Medtronic Common Stock on
the NYSE was $62.9375 per share. On that day, the reported closing sale price of
Physio-Control Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $23.00 per share.
On August 24, 1998, the latest practicable trading day prior to the printing of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the reported closing sale price of Medtronic
Common Stock on the NYSE was $57.875 per share. On that day, the reported
closing sale price of Physio-Control Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market
was $26.375 per share.
    
 
   
    Pursuant to the Merger, the actual portion of a Medtronic share into which
one Physio-Control share will be converted will be equal to $27.50 divided by
the Average Stock Price of Medtronic Common Stock for the 19 consecutive NYSE
trading days ending on the first trading day immediately preceding the Effective
Time of the Merger. Solely for illustrative purposes, the Conversion Fraction
would be .4369 if the Average Stock Price were calculated based on the reported
closing sale price of Medtronic Common Stock on June 26, 1998, or .47516 if the
Average Stock Price were calculated based on the reported closing sale price of
Medtronic Common Stock on August 24, 1998. See "Comparative Stock Prices and
Dividends" and "The Merger--Conversion of Physio-Control Common Stock in the
Merger."
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
    The following table sets forth selected historical financial data for
Medtronic for each of the five consecutive fiscal years ended April 30, 1998,
and for Physio-Control for each of the five consecutive fiscal years ended
December 31, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997. Such data
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the
unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Medtronic and
Physio-Control, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. Selected
unaudited financial data for Physio-Control for the six months ended June 30,
1998 and 1997 include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
accruals) that Physio-Control considers necessary for a fair presentation of the
consolidated operating results for such interim periods. Results for the interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full years. See
"Information Incorporated by Reference."
    
 
                                MEDTRONIC, INC.
                SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     YEAR ENDED APRIL 30,
                                             --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1994          1995          1996          1997        1998(2)
                                             ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Net sales..................................  $  1,390,922  $  1,742,392  $  2,172,100  $  2,438,224  $  2,604,819
Net earnings...............................       232,357       294,000       428,306       529,988       457,382
Basic earnings per share(1)................          0.51          0.64          0.90          1.11          0.98
Earnings per share assuming
  dilution(1)..............................          0.50          0.63          0.89          1.09          0.96
Total assets...............................     1,623,252     1,946,732     2,554,700     2,409,210     2,774,727
Long-term debt.............................        20,232        14,200        15,336        13,980        16,227
Cash dividends per share(1)................          0.09          0.10          0.13          0.19          0.22
</TABLE>
 
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
                SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                    ----------------------
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------   JUNE 30,    JUNE 30,
                                         1993(3)     1994(3)     1995(4)       1996        1997        1997        1998
                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales.............................  $  107,129  $  150,028  $  148,702  $  173,165  $  175,311  $   85,738  $   93,248
Net income (loss).....................     (35,947)      3,233       6,254      15,339       9,332       5,636       6,522
Basic earnings per share..............         N/A         N/A        0.42        0.91        0.54        0.33        0.37
Earnings per share assuming
  dilution............................         N/A         N/A        0.40        0.87        0.53        0.32        0.36
Total assets..........................      83,045      93,544      78,500      95,862     106,659     103,418     119,430
Long-term debt........................           0      36,496      16,211      21,031      15,531      21,694      16,281
Cash dividends per share..............           0           0           0           0           0           0           0
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) In each of September 1994, September 1995, and September 1997, Medtronic
    effected a two-for-one common stock split, paid in the form of a 100% stock
    dividend. All references in the Selected Historical Consolidated Financial
    Data to earnings per share and cash dividends per share have been restated
    to reflect these stock splits.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
(2) Net earnings, basic earnings per share, and earnings per share assuming
    dilution reflect the impact of $205.3 million pre-tax nonrecurring charges
    recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
(3) Periods beginning July 30, 1994 reflect data of Physio-Control and its
    subsidiaries after the acquisition of stock by Bain Capital, Inc. Periods
    prior to and including July 29, 1994 reflect data of Physio-Control as a
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company ("Lilly"), which was
    acquired by Bain Capital, Inc. on July 29, 1994 from Lilly. The term
    "Predecessor" refers to Physio-Control during the period in which it was a
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Lilly. The results of operations of the
    Predecessor from January 1, 1994 to July 29, 1994 and of Physio-Control from
    July 30, 1994 to December 31, 1994 have been combined. Operating results for
    1993 were adversely affected by the temporary suspension of Physio-Control's
    manufacturing operations beginning in May 1992 after its receipt of
    notification of alleged deficiencies in compliance with FDA regulations.
    Operating results for 1994 were positively impacted by a reduction of the
    large domestic backlog during 1994. Earnings (loss) per share is not
    calculated due to Physio-Control's status as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
 
(4) Net income, basic earnings per share, and earnings per share assuming
    dilution reflect the impact of a $1.46 million extraordinary loss from the
    early extinguishment of debt.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                           COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
 
   
    The following summary sets forth certain historical per share data of
Medtronic and Physio-Control and combined per share data on an unaudited pro
forma basis after giving effect to the Merger on a pooling of interests basis
assuming, solely for illustrative purposes of this presentation, that the
Average Stock Price for Medtronic Common Stock is $57.875 (the reported closing
sale price of Medtronic Common Stock on August 24, 1998). The actual Average
Stock Price that will be used in the Merger will be the Average Stock price of
Medtronic Common Stock for the 19 consecutive NYSE trading days ending on the
trading day immediately preceding the Effective Time of the Merger. The
unaudited pro forma data are provided for comparative purposes only and do not
purport to be indicative of actual or future operating results or financial
position that would have occurred or will occur upon consummation of the Merger.
The information presented below should be read in conjunction with the selected
historical financial data and the separate historical financial statements of
Medtronic and Physio-Control, including the notes thereto, incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. See "Information Incorporated by
Reference." Presentation of full pro forma financial statements is not included
because the Merger does not constitute a significant business combination and
the disclosure is not deemed to be material.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          DILUTED
                                                                                            BASIC        EARNINGS
                                                                                        EARNINGS FROM      FROM
                                                                               BOOK      CONTINUING     CONTINUING       CASH
                                                                               VALUE     OPERATIONS     OPERATIONS     DIVIDENDS
                                                                             ---------  -------------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>
MEDTRONIC HISTORICAL DATA:
Per Medtronic share at and for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1998(1).....  $    4.36    $    0.98      $    0.96     $    0.22
Per Medtronic share for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997...............      *             1.11           1.09          0.19
Per Medtronic share for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1996...............      *             0.90           0.89          0.13
 
PHYSIO-CONTROL HISTORICAL DATA:
Per Physio-Control share at and for the 3 months ended June 30, 1998.......       3.77         0.21           0.20             0
Per Physio-Control share at and for the 12 months ended March 31, 1998.....       3.52         0.55           0.53             0
Per Physio-Control share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.......       3.25         0.54           0.53             0
Per Physio-Control share for the 12 months ended March 31, 1997............      *             0.86           0.83             0
Per Physio-Control share for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.......      *             0.91           0.87             0
Per Physio-Control share for the 12 months ended March 31, 1996(2).........      *             0.47           0.45             0
 
MEDTRONIC AND PHYSIO-CONTROL PRO FORMA COMBINED DATA:
Per Medtronic share at and for the fiscal year ended April 30,
  1998(1)(3)...............................................................       4.41         0.98           0.96          0.22
Per Physio-Control share equivalent(4) at and for the fiscal year ended
  April 30, 1998(1)(3).....................................................       2.10         0.46           0.46          0.10
Per Medtronic share for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997(5)............      *             1.12           1.10          0.19
Per Physio-Control share equivalent(4) for the fiscal year ended April 30,
  1997(5)..................................................................      *             0.53           0.52          0.09
Per Medtronic share for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1996(2)(6).........      *             0.90           0.89          0.13
Per Physio-Control share equivalent(4) for the fiscal year ended April 30,
  1996(2)(6)...............................................................      *             0.43           0.42          0.06
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Basic earnings from continuing operations and diluted earnings from
    continuing operations reflect the impact of $205.3 million pre-tax
    nonrecurring charges recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
(2) Basic earnings from continuing operations and diluted earnings from
    continuing operations reflect the impact of a $1.46 million extraordinary
    loss from the early extinguishment of debt.
 
(3) The combined pro forma data combine the financial information of Medtronic
    at and for the year ended April 30, 1998 with the financial information of
    Physio-Control at and for the 12-month period ended March 31, 1998.
 
   
(4) The equivalent pro forma combined information represents the pro forma
    combined net income and book value multiplied by .47516, which is the
    assumed Conversion Fraction (based on an assumed Average Stock Price of
    $57.875) solely for purposes of this illustration.
    
 
(5) The combined pro forma data combine the financial information of Medtronic
    for the year ended April 30, 1997 with the financial information of
    Physio-Control for the 12-month period ended March 31, 1997.
 
(6) The combined pro forma data combine the financial information of Medtronic
    for the year ended April 30, 1996 with the financial information of
    Physio-Control for the 12-month period ended March 31, 1996.
 
*   Disclosure is not required.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                              GENERAL INFORMATION
 
   
    This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to the shareholders of
Physio-Control in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of
Physio-Control of proxies to be voted at the Meeting to be held on September 29,
1998.
    
 
    At the Meeting, Physio-Control shareholders will be asked to consider and
vote upon the approval of the Plan of Merger and the Merger Agreement attached
to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendices A and B, respectively,
providing for the Merger of Merger Subsidiary, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Medtronic, with and into Physio-Control, as a result of which Physio-Control
will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic. Other terms and provisions
related to the Merger are set forth in the Merger Agreement, as described
herein.
 
    The Board of Directors of Physio-Control has unanimously approved the
Merger. The Board of Directors of Medtronic has approved the Merger and the
issuance of shares of Medtronic Common Stock in the Merger. See "The
Merger--Background of the Merger." Applicable Minnesota law does not require
that Medtronic shareholders approve the Merger, and no such approval is being
sought. Medtronic, as the sole shareholder of Merger Subsidiary, has approved
the Merger.
 
    Pursuant to the Plan of Merger, upon effectiveness of the Merger, each
outstanding share of Physio-Control Common Stock, except for shares of
Physio-Control Common Stock held by shareholders who properly exercise
dissenters' rights under Washington law, will be converted into the right to
receive a portion of a share of Medtronic Common Stock. See "The
Merger--General," "--Conversion of Physio-Control Common Stock in the Merger,"
and "--Rights of Dissenting Physio-Control Shareholders."
 
   
    The close of business on August 26, 1998 (the "Record Date") has been fixed
as the record date for determination of the holders of Physio-Control Common
Stock who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or at any
adjournment thereof. Physio-Control has only one class of capital stock
outstanding, Common Stock, $.01 par value per share. As of the Record Date,
there were 17,732,809 shares of Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding held by
approximately 100 holders of record. The holders of record on the Record Date of
shares of Physio-Control Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share at the
Meeting. The presence at the Meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Physio-Control Common Stock entitled to
vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; however, the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
Physio-Control Common Stock is required for approval of the Merger. Directors
and executive officers of Physio-Control have agreed to vote the Physio-Control
shares beneficially owned by them in favor of the Merger. See "The Merger--Vote
Required" and "--Voting Agreements."
    
 
    Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Physio-Control's independent
accountants, are expected to be present at the Meeting. Such representatives
will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and are expected
to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
 
   
    A proxy card is enclosed for use by Physio-Control shareholders. Such
shareholders are solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Physio-Control
to SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. No postage is
required if mailed within the United States. QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR
ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING PROXY CARDS MAY BE DIRECTED TO INNISFREE
M&A INCORPORATED AT THE ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THE COVER OF THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
    
 
    All properly executed proxies not revoked will be voted at the Meeting in
accordance with the instructions contained therein. Proxies containing no
instructions will be voted in favor of approval of the Merger. A shareholder who
has executed and returned a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted,
but only by executing and returning a proxy bearing a later date, by giving
written notice of revocation to the corporate secretary of Physio-Control, or by
attending the Meeting and voting in person. Abstentions will be treated as
shares present for purposes of determining a quorum for the Meeting but will
have the same effect as a vote against approval of the Merger. If a broker or
other record holder or nominee
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
indicates on a proxy that it does not have direction or authority as to certain
shares to vote on the Merger, those shares will be considered present at the
Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum but will have the same effect as a
vote against approval of the Merger.
 
    If any other matters are properly presented for consideration at the
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder
will have discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best
judgment.
 
    THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS
VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MERGER. See "The Merger--Interests of Certain
Persons in the Merger" for a discussion of conflicts of interest that certain
directors and members of management have in connection with the Merger.
 
    SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY
CARDS.
 
   
    In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of mail, the directors,
officers or regular employees of Physio-Control may, but without compensation
other than their regular compensation, solicit proxies personally or by
telephone or fax. In addition, Innisfree M&A Incorporated, a firm that provides
professional proxy soliciting services, has been engaged to assist in the
solicitation of proxies from brokers, bank nominees, institutional holders and
other Physio-Control shareholders and to serve as information agent in
connection with the Merger. Innisfree M&A Incorporated will receive reasonable
and customary compensation for such services and reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses. Physio-Control intends to reimburse brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in forwarding copies of solicitation material to beneficial
owners of Physio-Control Common Stock held of record by such persons.
Physio-Control and Medtronic have agreed to share equally all expenses relating
to the printing and mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the filing of
it with the Commission.
    
 
    All information in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus with respect to Medtronic
has been furnished by Medtronic and all information with respect to
Physio-Control has been furnished by Physio-Control.
 
   
    The mailing of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus to shareholders of
Physio-Control is expected to commence on or about August 31, 1998.
    
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
    SET FORTH BELOW IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN TERMS OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT AND RELATED MATTERS. THIS DESCRIPTION DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE PLAN OF MERGER AND THE
MERGER AGREEMENT, WHICH ARE ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDICES A AND B AND ARE
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
 
GENERAL
 
    Medtronic, Merger Subsidiary, and Physio-Control have entered into the
Merger Agreement, which provides that Merger Subsidiary will be merged with and
into Physio-Control, with Physio-Control becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Medtronic. In the Merger, Physio-Control will change its name to "Medtronic
Physio-Control, Inc." Each outstanding share of Physio-Control Common Stock,
other than shares held by Physio-Control shareholders who perfect dissenters'
rights under Washington law, will be converted at the Effective Time (as defined
below) into the right to receive the portion of a share of Medtronic Common
Stock equal $27.50 divided by the Average Stock Price of Medtronic Common Stock
for a specified determination period, as described in further detail below. See
"The Merger--Conversion of Physio-Control Common Stock in the Merger."
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
 
    As soon as practicable after the conditions to consummation of the Merger
described below have been satisfied or waived, and unless the Merger Agreement
has been terminated as provided below, articles of merger containing the Plan of
Merger will be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington, at
which time the Merger will become effective (the "Effective Time"). It is
presently contemplated that the Effective Time will be as soon as practicable
after approval of the Merger at the Meeting, but not later than 10 business days
after approval of the Merger by the Physio-Control shareholders and the
satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the Merger. See "The
Merger--Conditions; Waiver" and "--Accounting Treatment of the Merger."
 
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
 
    The terms of the Merger Agreement are the result of arm's-length
negotiations between representatives of Medtronic and Physio-Control. The
following is a brief discussion of the background of these negotiations, the
Merger, and related transactions.
 
    On November 12, 1997, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Physio-Control
Board of Directors, the Board discussed the strategic forces driving
consolidation within the medical device industry and other industry factors that
indicated a need for substantial growth by Physio-Control. The Physio-Control
Board of Directors considered the range of strategic alternatives available to
Physio-Control, including potential acquisitions by Physio-Control that had been
considered, and authorized the engagement of Morgan Stanley to act as financial
advisor to assist the Board of Directors of Physio-Control in also actively
considering proposals for the acquisition of Physio-Control.
 
    Physio-Control management contacted Morgan Stanley following the meeting
and, in January 1998, an engagement letter (dated December 9, 1997) was
executed, which, among other terms, specified a limited number of companies that
Morgan Stanley could contact concerning a possible acquisition of
Physio-Control.
 
    With the assistance of Physio-Control's management, Morgan Stanley proceeded
to contact the authorized group of companies concerning a possible acquisition
of Physio-Control. This group of potential acquirors consisted of leading
hospital supply and medical technology companies, including Medtronic.
 
    On February 3, 1998, Morgan Stanley, on behalf of Physio-Control, contacted
Michael Ellwein, then the Vice President Corporate Development and Associate
General Counsel of Medtronic, concerning whether Medtronic had any interest in a
strategic transaction involving Physio-Control. As a result of that telephone
call, and following arrangements coordinated by Morgan Stanley, on March 16,
1998, Richard Martin and Robert Guezuraga, respectively the Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and the President and Chief Operating Officer of
Physio-Control, Glen Nelson, M.D. and Bobby Griffin, respectively the Vice
Chairman and the Executive Vice President of Medtronic, and Mr. Ellwein met in
Bellevue, Washington, to discuss Physio-Control's business in general terms and
Medtronic's potential interest in a possible acquisition of Physio-Control.
 
    After additional discussions among representatives of Morgan Stanley,
Medtronic, and Physio-Control, on March 26, 1998, Medtronic sent to
Physio-Control a draft confidentiality agreement to maintain the confidentiality
of information exchanged by Medtronic and Physio-Control. On April 16, 1998, the
confidentiality agreement was executed.
 
    On March 30, 1998, Mr. Martin met with William W. George, the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Medtronic, and Mr. Griffin, at the American
Conference of Cardiologists in Atlanta, Georgia, and held further discussions
regarding Physio-Control's business and Medtronic's potential interest in a
possible acquisition of Physio-Control.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    On April 8, 1998, a representative of Morgan Stanley, on behalf of
Physio-Control, spoke by telephone with Mr. Ellwein regarding the general terms
of a possible acquisition of Physio-Control by Medtronic.
 
    On April 23, 1998, Dr. Nelson, Messrs. Griffin and Ellwein, and Michael
Jeram of Medtronic's Corporate Development group, met in Bellevue, Washington,
with Messrs. Martin and Guezuraga, and Joseph Caffarelli and Marc Droppert,
respectively the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and the
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Physio-Control. Representatives
of Morgan Stanley and Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs"), financial advisors
to Medtronic in connection with the Merger, were present. During the meeting,
the parties discussed, among other things, Physio-Control's business and the
strategic rationale for a combination between the two companies. Following the
meeting, Dr. Nelson and Messrs. Griffin and Ellwein toured Physio-Control's
facilities in Redmond, Washington, and received a product demonstration.
 
    On April 28, 1998, Mr. Ellwein presented to Mr. Martin for discussion a
proposal containing certain nonfinancial terms for a possible business
combination between Physio-Control and Medtronic. Mr. Ellwein indicated that,
subject to the completion of some additional review, Medtronic expected to
propose financial terms within a few days.
 
    On May 5, 1998, at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Physio-Control Board
of Directors, representatives of Morgan Stanley made a financial presentation to
the Board of Directors and also updated the Board on the status of the
discussions with the authorized companies and, specifically, Medtronic,
including the proposed discussion terms received from Medtronic.
 
    Also on May 5, 1998, Mr. Ellwein and Mr. Martin had a telephone conversation
and Mr. Ellwein presented to Mr. Martin for discussion a proposal that, subject
to completion of due diligence and completion of definitive agreements,
Medtronic would pay $27.00 for each share of Physio-Control Common Stock, to be
paid in Medtronic Common Stock. Mr. Martin reported the information to the
Physio-Control Board of Directors, which, after discussion, did not approve the
offered price but authorized Mr. Martin and Morgan Stanley to continue
discussions with Medtronic.
 
    Following the Physio-Control Board meeting, representatives of Morgan
Stanley contacted Medtronic on behalf of Physio-Control and informed its
representatives that the current discussion terms were not acceptable either as
to price or as to the nonfinancial terms; however, due to Physio-Control's
ongoing interest in a strategic combination with Medtronic, Physio-Control was
prepared to allow Medtronic to begin its due diligence process in an effort to
encourage a proposal for a transaction more favorable to Physio-Control.
 
    On May 18, 1998, Medtronic's counsel distributed an initial draft merger
agreement to Physio-Control and its legal advisors. Also, on May 20 and 21,
Medtronic representatives met at the offices of Physio-Control's legal counsel
to review due diligence materials provided by Physio-Control. During the week of
May 25, 1998, Physio-Control and its counsel provided additional due diligence
information and provided Medtronic with specific comments on the draft merger
agreement.
 
    On June 1, 1998, members of Medtronic management (Messrs. Griffin, Collins,
Johnson, Eastwood, and Cybulski) met with Physio-Control management (Messrs.
Martin, Guezuraga, Caffarelli, and Droppert) in Redmond, Washington. During the
meeting, the parties discussed Physio-Control's business.
 
    Between June 1 and 20, 1998, Medtronic, Physio-Control, their respective
outside counsel, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs held several meetings and
conference calls, which involved due diligence matters, negotiations regarding
the terms of the draft merger agreement and related documents, integration
planning, discussions regarding accounting treatment of a potential business
combination between Medtronic and Physio-Control, and other matters related to
the transaction.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    On June 16, 1998, after a number of discussions with Mr. Martin and other
officers of Physio-Control, representatives of Morgan Stanley, on behalf of
Physio-Control, telephoned representatives of Medtronic and representatives of
Goldman Sachs to discuss financial considerations in the draft merger agreement.
During these discussions, representatives of Morgan Stanley reiterated that the
draft merger agreement was not acceptable either as to (i) price, (ii)
transaction protections, including the size, scope, and triggers of any
termination fee or termination option, and (iii) certain other nonfinancial
terms. At that time, Medtronic agreed to certain modifications to the
transaction protection clauses, but remained firm as to Medtronic's discussion
price of $27.00 per share. Representatives of Morgan Stanley, after discussions
with the management of Physio-Control, again rejected Medtronic's proposed
discussion price on behalf of Physio-Control.
 
    On June 20, 1998, Physio-Control, Medtronic, and their respective financial
advisors and outside counsel held a number of discussions regarding the
outstanding financial and nonfinancial terms of the draft merger agreement. At
the conclusion of these discussions, Medtronic proposed an increase in the
Merger price to $27.50 for each share of Physio-Control Common Stock, to be paid
in Medtronic Common Stock, subject to approval of both companies' respective
Boards of Directors and negotiation of an acceptable merger agreement, and
indicated that this was the maximum value it would consider. After discussions
with representatives of Physio-Control, representatives of Morgan Stanley, on
behalf of Physio-Control, and Medtronic reached preliminary verbal agreement on
certain outstanding issues, other than certain transaction protection clauses
(consisting of the termination fee and the stock option to be granted to
Medtronic pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement) and the Merger price per
share, subject to the approval of Physio-Control's and Medtronic's respective
Boards of Directors.
 
    On June 25, 1998, the Board of Directors of Medtronic approved the
acquisition of Physio-Control, subject to final negotiations of outstanding
issues by senior management, and authorized Medtronic's officers to undertake
all acts necessary or desirable to effect the Merger. At the time of its June 25
Board meeting, Medtronic anticipated the Merger price to be $27.50 per share.
 
    On June 26, 1998, the Physio-Control Board of Directors met by telephone
conference call at 5:30 a.m. (Pacific time) to receive a presentation by
representatives of Morgan Stanley updating the Board of Directors on (i) the
status of the discussions with the authorized companies and, specifically,
Medtronic and (ii) the proposed terms of the potential business combination
between Physio-Control and Medtronic. The Board of Directors directed
Physio-Control's management and representatives of Morgan Stanley to continue
negotiations on various aspects of the draft definitive agreements with
Medtronic.
 
    On June 26 and 27, 1998, Physio-Control and its legal counsel and financial
advisors continued negotiations with Medtronic regarding the proposed merger
agreement and completion of various schedules and related documents. During
these negotiations, management of the parties reached tentative verbal agreement
on the transaction protection clauses (the termination fee and the stock option
to be granted to Medtronic) and the $27.50 price per share payable in the
Merger, subject to the approval of Physio-Control's Board of Directors.
 
    At 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on June 27, the Physio-Control Board of Directors
met again by telephone conference call to discuss the proposed transaction and
received reports from Physio-Control's management, representatives of Morgan
Stanley, and its legal counsel. Morgan Stanley delivered its oral opinion,
subsequently confirmed in writing, that, as of the date of such opinion, and
subject to the various considerations set forth in the opinion, the
consideration to be received by the holders of Physio-Control Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such
holders. Having reviewed the terms of the draft definitive agreements relating
to the Merger, the Physio-Control Board unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement, Plan of Merger, and Stock Option Agreement, authorized
Physio-Control's officers to execute the agreements, and unanimously recommended
that Physio-Control's shareholders approve the Merger as provided in the Merger
Agreement and Plan of Merger.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    Following the approval of the Merger Agreement and related documents by
Physio-Control's Board of Directors, representatives of Physio-Control and
Medtronic executed the Merger Agreement and Stock Option Agreement on June 27,
1998. On June 29, 1998, prior to the opening of trading on the Nasdaq National
Market, Medtronic and Physio-Control issued a joint press release announcing the
execution of the Merger Agreement.
 
PHYSIO-CONTROL'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATION OF THE PHYSIO-CONTROL
  BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
    The Board of Directors of Physio-Control has determined that the Merger is
fair to, and in the best interests of, Physio-Control and its shareholders.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED
THE PLAN OF MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS
OF PHYSIO-CONTROL VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE PLAN OF MERGER AND THE
MERGER AGREEMENT. In reaching its determination, the Board of Directors of
Physio-Control consulted with Physio-Control's management, as well as its legal
counsel and its financial advisor, and considered a number of factors,
including, without limitation, the following:
 
        (1) The opportunity to continue to market its external defibrillators
    with substantial additional financial resources, including the benefit that
    Medtronic's reputation and resources would bring to Physio-Control's product
    development, marketing and distribution, and relationships with customers
    and potential customers;
 
        (2) The ability to provide Physio-Control shareholders with Medtronic
    Common Stock in a tax-free exchange at a premium over the market price for
    Physio-Control Common Stock;
 
        (3) The opportunity to provide an integrated response to cardiac care
    from initial arrest (with external defibrillator) through definitive
    treatment with an implantable (internal defibrillator) device; and
 
        (4) The potential ability to increase international revenues through
    Medtronic's broader international distribution and marketing network.
 
    In the course of its deliberations, the Board of Directors of Physio-Control
reviewed a number of additional factors relevant to the Merger. In particular,
the Physio-Control Board considered, among other things, the following factors,
each of which it determined were favorable to the Merger: (i) information
concerning Medtronic's and Physio-Control's respective businesses, historical
financial performance, operations and products, including possible future
product releases; (ii) the comparative trading prices of Medtronic and
Physio-Control Common Stock and other selected medical device companies; (iii)
premiums and multiples paid in other merger and acquisition transactions in
Physio-Control's industry and other industries; (iv) the compatibility of the
management and businesses of Medtronic and Physio-Control; (v) the financial
presentation by Morgan Stanley and the opinion of Morgan Stanley that, as of the
date of such opinion and subject to the assumptions and considerations set forth
in the opinion, the consideration to be received by the holders of
Physio-Control Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a
financial point of view to such holders; (vi) the likelihood of consummation of
the Merger, including the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the
limited conditions to the consummation of the Merger; (vii) the fact that the
Merger Agreement would permit the Physio-Control Board to terminate such
agreement under certain circumstances; and (viii) no competing offer or proposal
of any kind had been received from any third party.
 
    The Board of Directors of Physio-Control also considered certain potentially
negative factors in its deliberations concerning the Merger, including, among
other things: (i) the potential loss of revenues and business opportunities in
the external defibrillator market as a result of announcement of the Merger;
(ii) the possibility of management disruption associated with the Merger and the
risk of loss of key technical and management personnel of Physio-Control; and
(iii) the risk that the benefits sought to be achieved by the Merger will not be
achieved. In the view of the Physio-Control Board of Directors, the
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
potentially negative factors are not sufficient either individually or
collectively to outweigh the potential benefits of the Merger.
 
    The foregoing discussion of the information, factors, and reasons for the
Merger considered by the Board of Directors of Physio-Control is not intended to
be exhaustive but includes the material factors considered by the Board of
Directors of Physio-Control. Morgan Stanley's opinion and financial analyses
were only one of many factors considered by the Physio-Control Board in its
evaluation of the Merger and should not be viewed as determinative of the view
of the Physio-Control Board or management with respect to the consideration to
be received by Physio-Control shareholders in the Merger. In view of the wide
variety of factors considered by the Board of Directors of Physio-Control in
connection with its evaluation of the Merger and the complexity of such matters,
the Board of Directors of Physio-Control did not consider it practicable to, nor
did it attempt to, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific
factors it considered in reaching its decision. In addition, the Physio-Control
Board did not make any determination as to whether any particular factor (or any
aspect of any particular factor) was determinative to its ultimate
determination. In considering the factors described above, individual members of
the Board of Directors of Physio-Control may have given different weights to
different factors. See "The Merger--Opinion of Physio-Control's Financial
Advisor" and "Comparative Stock Prices and Dividends."
 
MEDTRONIC'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER
 
    Medtronic believes that the acquisition of Physio-Control will complement
Medtronic's product offerings and that Physio-Control's broad line of external
defibrillators, when combined with Medtronic's implantable defibrillators, will
significantly enhance Medtronic's ability to deliver lifesaving technologies,
with the objective of increasing the survival of patients who experience
life-threatening cardiac events.
 
OPINION OF PHYSIO-CONTROL'S FINANCIAL ADVISOR
 
    Pursuant to a letter agreement dated as of December 9, 1997 (the "Morgan
Stanley Engagement Letter"), Morgan Stanley provided financial advisory services
and a financial fairness opinion in connection with the Merger. Morgan Stanley
was selected by the Physio-Control Board to act as Physio-Control's financial
advisor based on Morgan Stanley's qualifications, expertise, and reputation and
its knowledge of the business and affairs of Physio-Control. At the meeting of
the Physio-Control Board on June 27, 1998, Morgan Stanley rendered its oral
opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of June 27, 1998, based upon
and subject to the various considerations set forth in the opinion, the
consideration to be received by the holders of Physio-Control Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such
holders.
 
    THE FULL TEXT OF THE WRITTEN OPINION OF MORGAN STANLEY DATED JUNE 27, 1998,
WHICH SETS FORTH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED,
MATTERS CONSIDERED, AND LIMITATIONS ON THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN BY
MORGAN STANLEY IN RENDERING ITS OPINION, IS ATTACHED AS APPENDIX D TO THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO, AND SHOULD, READ
THE OPINION CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. MORGAN STANLEY'S OPINION IS DIRECTED
TO THE PHYSIO-CONTROL BOARD AND ADDRESSES ONLY THE FAIRNESS OF THE CONSIDERATION
TO BE RECEIVED BY THE HOLDERS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE
MERGER AGREEMENT FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW TO SUCH HOLDERS AS OF THE DATE
OF THE OPINION, AND IT DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE MERGER AND DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY HOLDER OF PHYSIO-CONTROL COMMON STOCK AS
TO HOW TO VOTE AT THE MEETING. THE SUMMARY OF THE OPINION OF MORGAN STANLEY SET
FORTH IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH OPINION.
 
    In connection with rendering its opinion, Morgan Stanley, among other
things: (i) reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and other
information of Physio-Control and Medtronic, respectively; (ii) reviewed certain
internal financial statements and other financial and operating data concerning
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
Physio-Control prepared by the management of Physio-Control; (iii) discussed the
past and current operations and financial condition and the prospects of
Physio-Control, including information relating to certain strategic, financial,
and operational benefits, anticipated from the Merger with senior executives of
Physio-Control; (iv) discussed the past and current operations and financial
condition and the prospects of Medtronic, including information relating to
certain strategic, financial, and operational benefits anticipated from the
Merger with senior executives of Medtronic; (v) reviewed the pro forma impact of
the Merger on the earnings per share of Medtronic; (vi) reviewed the reported
prices and trading activity for the Physio-Control Common Stock and the
Medtronic Common Stock; (vii) compared the financial performance of
Physio-Control and Medtronic and the prices and trading activity of the
Physio-Control Common Stock and the Medtronic Common Stock with that of certain
other publicly-traded companies and their securities; (viii) reviewed the
financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain comparable
acquisition transactions; (ix) reviewed and discussed with the senior management
of Physio-Control the strategic rationale for the Merger and certain
alternatives to the Merger; (x) reviewed and discussed with the senior
management of Medtronic the strategic rationale for the Merger; (xi)
participated in discussions and negotiations among representatives of
Physio-Control and Medtronic and their financial and legal advisors; (xii)
reviewed the Merger Agreement and certain related agreements; and (xiii)
performed such other analysis and considered such other factors as Morgan
Stanley deemed appropriate.
 
    In rendering its opinion, Morgan Stanley assumed and relied upon without
independent verification the accuracy and completeness of the information
reviewed by it for the purposes of its opinion. With respect to the internal
financial statements of Physio-Control and other financial and operating data
and information relating to the strategic, financial, and operational benefits
anticipated from the Merger provided by Physio-Control and Medtronic, Morgan
Stanley assumed that they were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
then-available estimates and judgments of the prospects of Physio-Control and
Medtronic, respectively. Morgan Stanley did not make any independent valuation
or appraisal of the assets, liabilities, or technology of Physio-Control, nor
was it furnished with any such appraisals. Morgan Stanley assumed that the
Merger will be accounted for as a "pooling-of-interests" business combination in
accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and the
Merger will be treated as a tax-free reorganization and/or exchange pursuant to
the Code. Morgan Stanley also assumed that the Merger would be consummated in
accordance with the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement. Morgan Stanley's
opinion is necessarily based on economic, market, and other conditions as in
effect on, and the information made available to it as of, June 27, 1998.
 
    The following is a brief summary of certain analyses performed by Morgan
Stanley in preparation of its opinion letter dated June 27, 1998.
 
    COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE.  Morgan Stanley reviewed the recent
stock price performance of Physio-Control and Medtronic and compared such
performance with that of a group of cardiovascular companies (the
"Cardiovascular Companies"), patient monitoring companies (the "Patient
Monitoring Companies"), and hospital device and supplies companies (the
"Hospital Device and Supplies Companies"). Morgan Stanley observed that over the
period from December 11, 1995 until June 26, 1998, the market price of
Physio-Control Common Stock appreciated approximately 59% compared with an
approximate appreciation of 128% for Medtronic Common Stock, 130% for an index
of Cardiovascular Companies, 27% for an index of Patient Monitoring Companies,
and 60% for an index of Hospital Device and Supplies Companies.
 
    PEER GROUP COMPARISON.  Morgan Stanley compared certain financial
information of Physio-Control with that of the Patient Monitoring Companies and
certain financial information of Medtronic with that of the Cardiovascular
Companies. Such information included, among other things, market valuation and
stock price as a multiple of earnings per share. Such analysis showed that as of
June 26, 1998, based on earnings per share projections from securities research
analysts: Physio-Control traded at 22.2 times next 12 months projected earnings
per share and 19.6 times calendar year 1999 projected earnings per share,
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
compared to median multiples of 16.7 times next 12 months projected earnings per
share and 13.6 times calendar year 1999 projected earnings per share for the
Patient Monitoring Companies; Medtronic traded at 40.6 times next 12 months
projected earnings per share and 37.5 times calendar year 1999 projected
earnings per share, compared to median multiples of 21.2 times next 12 months
projected earnings per share and 18.9 times calendar year 1999 projected
earnings per share for the Cardiovascular Companies. No company utilized as a
comparison in the peer group comparison is identical to Physio-Control or
Medtronic. In evaluating the comparable companies, Morgan Stanley made judgments
and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic,
market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the
control of Physio-Control and Medtronic, such as the impact of competition on
Physio-Control or Medtronic and the industry generally, industry growth, and the
absence of any adverse material change in the financial condition and prospects
of Physio-Control or Medtronic or the industry or in the financial markets in
general.
 
    ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRECEDENT TRANSACTIONS.  Morgan Stanley reviewed a
number of transactions (collectively, the "Hospital Supply/Medical Technology
Transactions") and compared certain statistics for the Hospital Supply/Medical
Technology Transactions to the relevant financial statistics for Physio-Control
based on a price of $27.50 for each share of Physio-Control Common Stock.
Analysis of the Hospital Supply/Medical Technology Transactions showed a median
multiple of next 12 months' earnings of 21.3 times and a median multiple of last
12 months revenues of 2.6 times and median premiums over target closing prices
of 22.1% based on one day prior to announcement and 33.7% based on one month
prior to announcement. These statistics compared to multiples of 28.6 times for
the next 12 months' earnings and 3.0 times last 12 months revenues and premiums
of 19.6% and 22.9% over the closing prices of Physio-Control Common Stock as of
June 26, 1998 and 30 trading days prior to that date, respectively, based on a
value of $27.50 for each share of Physio-Control Common Stock. No transaction
utilized as a comparison in the precedent transaction analysis is identical to
the Merger. In evaluating the precedent transactions, Morgan Stanley made
judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business,
economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are
beyond the control of Physio-Control and Medtronic, such as the impact of
competition on Physio-Control or Medtronic and the industry generally, industry
growth and the absence of any adverse material change in the financial condition
and prospects of Physio-Control or Medtronic or the industry or in the financial
markets in general. Mathematical analysis (such as determining the average or
median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable transaction
data.
 
    PRO FORMA MERGER ANALYSIS.  Morgan Stanley analyzed the pro forma impact of
the Merger on Medtronic's projected earnings per share for calendar years 1998
and 1999. Such analysis was based on earnings projections by securities research
analysts for both companies. Morgan Stanley observed that, assuming that the
Merger was treated as a pooling transaction, the Merger would result in earnings
per share accretion for Medtronic shareholders of 0.6% and 0.8% for calendar
years 1998 and 1999, respectively, before taking into account any one-time
charges or synergies.
 
    DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW VALUE ANALYSIS.  Morgan Stanley performed a discounted
cash flow analysis to estimate the present value of the stand-alone unlevered
free cash flows that both Physio-Control and Medtronic are expected to generate
if Physio-Control and Medtronic perform in accordance with the scenarios based
upon certain financial forecasts. Morgan Stanley analyzed two sets of financial
forecasts for Physio-Control, a case developed by Morgan Stanley based on
information provided by and discussions with the management of Physio-Control
(the "Projected Case") and a case based on projections from securities research
analysts (the "Research Case"). Morgan Stanley analyzed financial forecasts for
Medtronic based on projections from securities research analysts. Unlevered free
cash flows were calculated as net income plus depreciation and amortization plus
deferred taxes plus minority interest plus other non-cash expenses plus
after-tax net interest expense less capital expenditures less investment in
working capital. The projected unlevered free cash flow streams of
Physio-Control and Medtronic were then discounted to their present values using
a range of discount rates from 12% to 14% for both Physio-
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
Control and Medtronic. Terminal values were calculated as a multiple of terminal
year net income over a range of multiples from 18 times to 24 times for
Physio-Control and 32 times to 40 times for Medtronic and then discounted to
their present values using the aforementioned discount rates. The discount rate
ranges were selected based upon an analysis of weighted average cost of capital
for both Physio-Control and Medtronic. Adjustments were also made for cash and
indebtedness. Based on this analysis, Morgan Stanley calculated per share equity
values of Physio-Control ranging from $24.50 to $33.95 for the Projected Case
and $19.70 to $27.20 for the Research Case on a fully diluted share basis.
Morgan Stanley observed that, based on this analysis, the offered price of
$27.50 per share was higher than the range yielded by the Research Case and
within the range yielded by the Projected Case.
 
    In connection with the review of the Merger by the Physio-Control Board of
Directors, Morgan Stanley performed a variety of financial and comparative
analyses for purposes of its opinion given in connection therewith. The summary
set forth above does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses
performed by Morgan Stanley in connection with the Merger.
 
    The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not
necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. In arriving
at its opinion, Morgan Stanley considered the results of all of its analyses as
a whole and did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor
considered by it. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley believes that selecting any
portion of its analyses, without considering all analyses, would create an
incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. In addition, Morgan
Stanley may have given various analyses and factors more or less weight than
other analyses and factors, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less
probable than other assumptions, so that the ranges of valuation resulting from
any particular analysis described above should not be taken to be Morgan
Stanley's view of the actual value of Physio-Control or Medtronic. In performing
its analyses, Morgan Stanley made numerous assumptions with respect to industry
performance, general business and economic conditions, and other matters, many
of which are beyond the control of Physio-Control or Medtronic. Any estimates
contained in Morgan Stanley's analyses are not necessarily indicative of future
results or actual values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
those suggested by such estimates. The analyses performed were prepared solely
as part of Morgan Stanley's analysis of the fairness from a financial point of
view of the consideration to be received by holders of Physio-Control Common
Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement and were conducted in connection with the
delivery of Morgan Stanley's opinion to the Physio-Control Board of Directors.
The analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which
Physio-Control Common Stock or Medtronic Common Stock might actually trade. The
terms of the Merger were determined through arm's-length negotiations between
Physio-Control and Medtronic and were approved by the Physio-Control Board.
Morgan Stanley provided advice to Physio-Control during such negotiations;
however, Morgan Stanley did not recommend any specific consideration to
Physio-Control or that any specific consideration constituted the only
appropriate consideration for the Merger. In addition, as described above,
Morgan Stanley's opinion and presentation to the Physio-Control Board of
Directors was one of many factors taken into consideration by Physio-Control's
Board in making its decision to approve the Merger. Consequently, the Morgan
Stanley analyses as described above should not be viewed as determinative of the
opinion of the Physio-Control Board of Directors with respect to the value of
Physio-Control or of whether the Physio-Control Board of Directors would have
been willing to agree to a different consideration.
 
    The Physio-Control Board of Directors retained Morgan Stanley based upon
Morgan Stanley's qualifications, experience, and expertise. Morgan Stanley is an
internationally recognized investment banking and advisory firm. Morgan Stanley,
as part of its investment banking and financial advisory business, is
continuously engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings,
secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements,
and valuations for corporate and other purposes. Morgan Stanley makes a market
in Physio-Control Common Stock. In the ordinary course of Morgan Stanley's
trading and brokerage activities, Morgan Stanley or its affiliates may at any
time hold long or short positions, and may trade or otherwise effect
transactions, for its own account or for the accounts of customers, in the
equity or
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
   
debt securities or senior loans of Physio-Control or Medtronic. It is also
anticipated that Morgan Stanley will act as a co-lead manager in the offering of
Medtronic Common Stock that is expected to be completed prior to the Merger. See
"Recent Developments."
    
 
    Pursuant to the Morgan Stanley Engagement Letter, Morgan Stanley provided
financial advisory services and a financial opinion in connection with the
Merger, and Physio-Control agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a fee in connection
therewith equal to 1.25% of the aggregate value of the consideration that is
paid by Medtronic to the Physio-Control shareholders in the Merger.
Physio-Control has also agreed to reimburse Morgan Stanley for travel and other
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Morgan Stanley in performing its services. In
addition, Physio-Control has also agreed to indemnify Morgan Stanley and its
affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, agents and employees, and
each person, if any, controlling Morgan Stanley or any of its affiliates against
certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the
federal securities laws, arising out of Morgan Stanley's engagement and any
related transactions. In the past, Morgan Stanley and its affiliates have
provided financial advisory and financing services for Physio-Control and have
received fees for rendering these services.
 
VOTE REQUIRED
 
   
    Approval of the Merger requires the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Physio-Control Common Stock. Each holder
of Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date is entitled to
one vote for each share held. On the Record Date, there were 17,732,809 shares
of Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding. Of such shares, 136,979 shares (less
than 1% of the shares of Physio-Control Common Stock entitled to vote at the
Meeting) are beneficially owned by directors and executive officers of
Physio-Control. Physio-Control's directors and executive officers who own stock
or options to purchase stock of Physio-Control have executed voting agreements
under which such persons have agreed to vote the shares of Physio-Control Common
Stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the Merger. See "The Merger--Voting
Agreements."
    
 
    Medtronic, as the sole shareholder of Merger Subsidiary, has approved the
Plan of Merger and the Merger Agreement. Approval of the Plan of Merger and the
Merger Agreement by Medtronic's shareholders is not required under Minnesota law
and is not being sought.
 
CONVERSION OF PHYSIO-CONTROL COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER
 
    At the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of Physio-Control
Common Stock, excluding any shares of Physio-Control Common Stock held by
holders who have perfected their dissenters' rights under the WBCA (see "The
Merger--Rights of Dissenting Physio-Control Shareholders"), will be
automatically converted into the right to receive the portion of a share (the
"Conversion Fraction") of Medtronic Common Stock equal to $27.50 divided by the
average of the daily closing sale prices of Medtronic Common Stock as reported
on the NYSE Composite Tape (the "Average Stock Price") for the 19 consecutive
trading days ending on the first trading day immediately preceding the Effective
Time.
 
    The $27.50 amount per share of Physio-Control Common Stock, payable in
shares of Medtronic Common Stock as described above, shall be reduced
proportionately if the sum of the number of shares of Physio-Control Common
Stock outstanding at the Effective Time plus the number of shares subject to
outstanding options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of
Physio-Control Common Stock (collectively, "Stock Rights") at the Effective Time
exceeds 20,693,456 (the number of Physio-Control shares, and options to purchase
such shares, outstanding on the date the Merger Agreement was signed) plus the
number of shares issuable under Physio-Control's Employee Share Purchase Plan
and Team Savings Plan, or if the aggregate exercise price of all outstanding
options and other rights to purchase Physio-Control Common Stock is less than
the aggregate exercise price reflected in Physio-Control's Disclosure Schedule
to the Merger Agreement. Physio-Control does not anticipate that any such
adjustment will be required.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    If, prior to the Effective Time, Medtronic splits or combines the Medtronic
Common Stock or pays a stock dividend or other stock distribution in shares of
Medtronic Common Stock, then the Conversion Fraction will be appropriately
adjusted.
 
   
    Based on the number of shares of Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding on
the Record Date (assuming a Conversion Fraction of .47516, or one Medtronic
share for approximately every 2.1 Physio-Control shares, calculated by using the
August 24, 1998 Medtronic closing sale price of $57.875 as the assumed Average
Stock Price solely for illustrative purposes of this paragraph), an estimated
8,425,925 shares of Medtronic Common Stock will be issued in exchange for
Physio-Control Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger. Such shares would
represent less than 2% of the shares of Medtronic Common Stock that would be
outstanding after consummation of the Merger.
    
 
   
    Physio-Control shareholders should understand that shareholders receiving
Medtronic Common Stock in the Merger will receive a number of Medtronic shares
determined pursuant to the Conversion Fraction, as defined at the beginning of
this section. Because the market price of Medtronic Common Stock is subject to
fluctuation, the market value of the Medtronic shares that Physio-Control
shareholders receive in the Merger (whether measured at the Effective Time of
the Merger or another date) may be less than or greater than the Average Stock
Price used for purposes of determining the Conversion Fraction. In addition,
because of such fluctuations in the value of Medtronic shares, the market value
of the Medtronic Common Stock that Physio-Control shareholders receive in the
Merger may increase or decrease following the Merger. See "Comparative Stock
Prices and Dividends" for information regarding the historical market prices of
Medtronic Common Stock.
    
 
    FRACTIONAL SHARES
 
   
    No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Medtronic Common
Stock will be issued, and no Medtronic dividend, stock split or interest will
relate to any fractional share. No fractional share interests will entitle the
owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of Medtronic. All
fractional shares of Medtronic Common Stock to which a holder of Physio-Control
Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time would otherwise be
entitled, at the Effective Time, shall be aggregated if and to the extent
multiple Physio-Control stock certificates of such holder are submitted together
to Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., the exchange agent for the Merger (the
"Exchange Agent"). If a fractional share results from such aggregation, then, in
lieu of any such fractional share, each holder of Physio-Control Common Stock
who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share of Medtronic
Common Stock in the Merger will receive an amount of cash (without interest)
determined by multiplying (i) the Average Stock Price by (ii) the fractional
share interest of Medtronic Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be
entitled.
    
 
    EXCHANGE OF SHARES OF PHYSIO-CONTROL COMMON STOCK
 
    As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent will
mail a letter of transmittal to holders of a certificate or certificates that
prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Physio-Control Common Stock.
The letter of transmittal will include instructions regarding the surrender of
certificates representing shares of Physio-Control Common Stock in exchange for
certificates representing shares of Medtronic Common Stock.
 
    As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent will
distribute to holders of shares of Physio-Control Common Stock, upon surrender
to the Exchange Agent of one or more certificates for such shares of
Physio-Control Common Stock for cancellation, together with a duly-executed
letter of transmittal, (i) one or more certificates representing the number of
whole shares of Medtronic Common Stock into which the shares represented by the
certificate(s) have been converted and (ii) a check in the amount of any cash in
lieu of fractional shares. Holders of Physio-Control Common Stock will not be
entitled to receive interest on any cash to be received in the Merger.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
    After the Effective Time, certificates representing shares of Physio-Control
Common Stock converted into Medtronic Common Stock in the Merger will be deemed
for all purposes to evidence ownership of the shares of Medtronic Common Stock
into which they were converted. Holders of Physio-Control Common Stock will be
entitled to any dividends that become payable to persons who are holders of
record of Medtronic Common Stock as of a record date that follows the Effective
Time, but only after they have surrendered their certificates representing
shares of Physio-Control Common Stock for exchange. Any such dividends will be
remitted to each Physio-Control shareholder entitled thereto, without interest,
at the time that such certificates representing shares of Physio-Control Common
Stock are surrendered for exchange, subject to any applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar law. Holders of Physio-Control Common Stock will
not be entitled, however, to dividends that become payable before or after the
Effective Time to persons who were holders of record of Medtronic Common Stock
as of a record date prior to the Effective Time.
 
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
    Each Physio-Control shareholder entitled to receive shares of Medtronic
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger will receive, together with each share of
Medtronic Common Stock, one Medtronic Preferred Stock Purchase Right pursuant to
the Medtronic Shareholder Rights Plan. Such Right will be represented by the
certificate representing such share of Medtronic Common Stock. See "Comparative
Rights of Medtronic Shareholders and Physio-Control Shareholders--Shareholder
Rights Plan."
 
TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS
 
    Under the terms of the outstanding options to purchase shares of
Physio-Control Common Stock, any such options that are not otherwise vested will
become fully vested and exercisable at the Effective Time as a result of the
Merger. All such options that are not exercised and remain outstanding at the
Effective Time will be assumed by Medtronic and, following the Effective Time,
will be exercisable upon the same terms and conditions as prior to the Merger,
except that the exercise price and the number of shares of Medtronic Common
Stock that can be purchased upon exercise of the options will be revised to
reflect conversion of the options on the same basis as shares of Physio-Control
Common Stock are converted into shares of Medtronic Common Stock in the Merger.
As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Medtronic will provide to
each holder of a Physio-Control option a written statement informing such holder
of the assumption by Medtronic of such option.
 
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF PHYSIO-CONTROL PENDING THE MERGER
 
    Physio-Control has agreed that, prior to consummation of the Merger, unless
Medtronic agrees otherwise, it will conduct its business only in the ordinary
course, it will use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business
organization and relationships with third parties, and it will not: declare or
pay any dividends or other distributions; amend or alter any material term of
its securities; incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness other than in the
ordinary course of business; create, assume or incur any lien on any material
asset; issue or repurchase any securities (other than issuances of securities
upon the exercise of stock options previously granted and pursuant to other
existing benefit plans); alter its accounting principles; increase the
compensation or benefits of any of its directors, officers or other employees
(except under existing agreements or in the ordinary course of business); amend
its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; sell any property, pay any liabilities
or waive any claims, except in the ordinary course of business; make capital
investments in any other company; purchase fixed assets exceeding a specified
aggregate purchase price; distribute mass communications to any group without
allowing Medtronic to comment on them; merge or consolidate with any person;
acquire the stock or assets of any business; take or fail to take any action
that would cause its representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement to
be inaccurate; enter into or make any material change in any material
agreements, except in the ordinary course and consistent with past practice;
institute, settle or compromise any claim or suit involving amounts in excess of
a specified amount; knowingly take any action that would jeopardize the
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
treatment of the Merger as a pooling of interests or as a tax-free transaction;
or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
 
    Physio-Control has agreed that (except as is required by the fiduciary
duties of Physio-Control's directors and officers as so advised by independent
counsel) neither Physio-Control nor any of its representatives or affiliates
will, directly or indirectly, solicit, initiate or encourage any acquisition
proposal, or engage in any negotiations with, or provide any information to, any
person, entity or group (other than Medtronic) that has made or may make an
alternate proposal with respect to Physio-Control or any subsidiary. For these
purposes, an "alternate proposal" would include a proposal involving a merger or
consolidation, a sale, lease or licensing of any significant portion of the
assets, or a sale of shares of capital stock of Physio-Control or any
subsidiary. Physio-Control has agreed that it will notify Medtronic promptly,
and prior to furnishing information or entering into discussions or negotiations
with a third party, regarding the terms of any such proposal that Physio-Control
may receive.
 
    Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and a confidentiality agreement between
Medtronic and Physio-Control, Physio-Control has agreed to give Medtronic and
its representatives access to Physio-Control's offices, properties, books and
records, and to furnish to Medtronic and its representatives such financial and
operating data and other information as Medtronic may reasonably request, and
will have its employees and representatives cooperate with Medtronic in
Medtronic's investigation of the business of Physio-Control.
 
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
 
    In considering the recommendation of the Board of Directors of
Physio-Control with respect to the Plan of Merger, the Merger Agreement, and the
transactions contemplated thereby, shareholders of Physio-Control should be
aware that certain members of the management of Physio-Control and the Board of
Directors of Physio-Control have certain interests in the Merger that are in
addition to, and may be in conflict with, the interests of shareholders of
Physio-Control generally.
 
    STOCK OPTIONS.  Under the terms of the outstanding options to purchase
shares of Physio-Control Common Stock, any such options that are not otherwise
vested will become fully vested and exercisable at the Effective Time as a
result of the Merger. Physio-Control's executive officers and directors
collectively hold outstanding options to purchase 1,160,787 shares of
Physio-Control Common Stock, of which options to purchase an aggregate 596,998
shares will vest as a result of the Merger. The following executive officers and
directors hold the following number of options that will become vested as a
result of the Merger: Richard Martin, 184,666; Robert Guezuraga, 184,666; Joseph
Caffarelli, 129,000; and Marc Droppert, 98,666. See "--Treatment of Stock
Options."
 
    NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENTS.  Simultaneously with or immediately following the
execution of the Merger Agreement, but specifically conditioned upon the
effectiveness of the Merger, four executive officers of Physio-Control (Messrs.
Martin, Guezuraga, Caffarelli, and Droppert) executed separate noncompetition
agreements with Medtronic, pursuant to which these individuals have agreed that
they will not be employed by, associated with or render services to any person
or entity (other than Physio-Control or another Medtronic affiliate) engaged in
the design, development, manufacture, marketing or sale of products that are
similar to current or planned products of Physio-Control anywhere in the world.
Each noncompetition agreement expires 42 months after the Effective Time. No
additional consideration beyond their interest as shareholders and optionholders
is to be received by such executive officers for executing such noncompetition
agreements.
 
   
    TERMINATION AGREEMENTS.  On November 12, 1997, Physio-Control entered into
termination agreements with the four executive officers of Physio-Control named
above. The agreements provide certain payments and benefits to these individuals
in the event that, during the two-year period following a "change in control" of
Physio-Control, (i) such individual's employment is terminated by Physio-Control
for any reason other than for death, disability, or "for cause" or (ii) there
occur certain material adverse
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
changes in the executive's salary, bonus, benefits, title, responsibilities, or
city of work. The executive will be paid, in that event, a lump sum equal to a
specified multiple of the executive's highest total cash compensation, including
bonus, in any one of the three calendar years preceding the termination. The
specified multiples are as follows: Mr. Martin, 2.5; Mr. Guezuraga, 2.5; Mr.
Caffarelli, 1.5; and Mr. Droppert, 1.0. The terminated executive will also be
entitled to continue to receive continuing health insurance coverage for 24
months. Consummation of the Merger will constitute the occurrence of a "change
in control" under the termination agreements.
 
    INDEMNIFICATION.  Medtronic has agreed to cause the articles and bylaws of
Physio-Control, for at least six years after the Merger, to contain provisions
regarding indemnification and exculpation from liability equivalent to that
provided by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Physio-Control prior to
the Effective Time. Medtronic has also agreed to guarantee the obligations of
Physio-Control under such provisions. Medtronic has also agreed to extend, for
three years, Physio-Control's current officers' and directors' liability
insurance coverage periods with respect to acts occurring prior to the Effective
Time. If that coverage is not available at a total cost not exceeding 150% of
the annual premium currently paid by Physio-Control for the coverage, then
Medtronic is required to obtain the maximum extension of coverage that is
available for a cost not exceeding 150% of such annual premium. See
"--Indemnification."
 
    Medtronic also agreed that Physio-Control, as the surviving corporation in
the Merger, will provide employees of Physio-Control and its subsidiaries
employee benefits and programs that are substantially comparable or more
favorable to such employees as those in effect on the date of the Merger
Agreement.
 
    Each of Messrs. Martin and Guezuraga participated in the discussions and
deliberations of the Physio-Control Board of Directors in connection with the
Merger, and Messrs. Martin and Guezuraga voted in favor of the Merger. Messrs.
Caffarelli and Droppert are not Board members.
 
VOTING AGREEMENTS
 
   
    Pursuant to agreements to facilitate merger between Medtronic and each of
the executive officers and directors of Physio-Control who own stock or options
to acquire stock of Physio-Control (Messrs. Martin, Guezuraga, Caffarelli,
Droppert, Dollens, and Sandler), such individuals have agreed to vote the shares
of Physio-Control Common Stock beneficially owned by them (i) in favor of the
approval, consent, and ratification of the Merger and (ii) against any action
that would impede, interfere with, or discourage the Merger, would facilitate an
acquisition of Physio-Control in any manner by a party other than Medtronic, or
would result in any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or
agreement of Physio-Control under the Merger Agreement. The voting agreements
terminate upon termination of the Merger Agreement by Medtronic. As of the
Record Date, the shareholders who executed the voting agreements owned an
aggregate 136,979 shares of Physio-Control Common Stock, representing less than
1% of Physio-Control Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date.
    
 
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
 
    Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Physio-Control
and Medtronic entered into a Stock Option Agreement pursuant to which
Physio-Control granted to Medtronic an option, exercisable only under certain
specified circumstances, to purchase a number of shares of Physio-Control Common
Stock equal to an aggregate 19.9% of the shares of Physio-Control Common Stock
outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement, or 3,526,683 such shares, at an
exercise price of $27.50 per share. The specified circumstances are the same as
those that could result in the payment by Physio-Control of a termination fee
upon certain terminations of the Merger Agreement.
 
    Under the Stock Option Agreement, Medtronic also has the right, under
certain circumstances following the occurrence of specified proposals by third
parties to acquire stock or assets of Physio-Control or to merge or combine with
Physio-Control, and in lieu of exercising Medtronic's option, to require
Physio-Control to pay to Medtronic, in cancellation of Medtronic's option, the
in-the-money value of such
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
option. Such value is calculated as the lesser of (i) $15 million or (ii) the
number of shares subject to Medtronic's option multiplied by the excess of the
then-current trading price of Physio-Control Common Stock or the price per share
offered in the third-party proposal, whichever is greater, over $27.50. In no
event, however, can the sum of such cancellation amount and the $15 million
termination fee under the Merger Agreement, if then payable, exceed $20 million.
See "--Amendment and Termination of the Merger Agreement."
 
CONDITIONS; WAIVER
 
   
    The respective obligations of Medtronic, Merger Subsidiary, and
Physio-Control to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction at or prior
to the Merger of certain conditions, including, among others: (a) the approval
by the Physio-Control shareholders of the Merger; (b) the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement; (c) the expiration or termination of the waiting periods
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act and any foreign
merger laws; (d) the shares of Medtronic Common Stock issuable in the Merger
having been duly authorized for listing by the NYSE, subject to official notice
of issuance; and (e) the absence of an order, decree, or injunction by any
federal or state court or other governmental body, agency, or official that
would prevent or materially delay consummation of the Merger. See "The
Merger--Regulatory Requirements."
    
 
    In addition, the obligations of Physio-Control to effect the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Merger of certain conditions,
including that: (a) Medtronic and Merger Subsidiary have performed in all
material respects their obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be
performed by them; (b) each representation and warranty of Medtronic contained
in the Merger Agreement is true in all material respects as of the Effective
Time; and (c) Physio-Control has received an opinion of Preston Gates & Ellis
LLP, to the effect that the Merger will constitute a "tax-free" reorganization
for federal income tax purposes. Physio-Control has already received such
opinion. See "The Merger-- Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences."
 
    In addition, the obligations of Medtronic and Merger Subsidiary to effect
the Merger are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Merger of certain
conditions, including that: (a) Physio-Control has performed in all material
respects its obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed by
it; (b) each representation and warranty of Physio-Control contained in the
Merger Agreement is true in all material respects as of the Effective Time; (c)
all necessary consents have been received; (d) Medtronic has received written
resignations from each of the directors and specified officers of Physio-Control
effective as of the Effective Time; (e) certain specified executive officers of
Physio-Control have agreed to continue their employment with Physio-Control
following the Merger; and (f) Medtronic has received certain letters from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding Medtronic's eligibility to use the pooling
of interests method to account for the Merger, or such condition as to Medtronic
has been waived. See "The Merger--Accounting Treatment of the Merger."
 
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
 
    Any of the provisions of the Merger Agreement may be amended by written
agreement of the respective parties at any time before or after approval of the
Merger by the Physio-Control shareholders; however, after such approval, no
amendment may be made to the Plan of Merger attached hereto as Appendix A that
materially affects the rights of the Physio-Control shareholders without
shareholder approval.
 
    The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time
prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of the Merger by
the Physio-Control shareholders, only as follows:
 
        (a) By mutual consent of the Board of Directors of each of Medtronic and
    Physio-Control;
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
        (b) By either Medtronic or Physio-Control if the Merger has not been
    effected by December 1, 1998, except that a party cannot terminate the
    Merger Agreement if its own breach of the Merger Agreement is the primary
    cause of, or results in, the Merger not being effected by such date;
 
        (c) By either Medtronic or Physio-Control if a court or other
    governmental authority has issued a final, nonappealable order, decree, or
    ruling that permanently enjoins or prohibits the Merger;
 
        (d) By either Medtronic or Physio-Control if the Physio-Control
    shareholders do not vote to approve the Merger, except that a party cannot
    terminate the Merger Agreement if its own failure to perform under the
    Merger Agreement is the primary cause of, or results in, the failure of the
    Physio-Control shareholders to approve the Merger;
 
        (e) By Medtronic if Physio-Control has solicited, entertained or
    negotiated a competing offer to acquire Physio-Control in violation of the
    Merger Agreement, or recommended, approved, or entered into an agreement
    regarding any such offer, or withdrawn or modified (in a manner adverse to
    Medtronic) its recommendation of the Merger, or if a tender or exchange
    offer for 15% or more of the Physio-Control Common Stock is commenced and
    the Physio-Control Board, within 10 business days thereafter, fails to
    recommend against acceptance or takes no position regarding acceptance of
    the offer;
 
   
        (f) By Physio-Control if it is not in material breach of its obligations
    under the Merger Agreement and its Board of Directors has accepted a
    competing offer by a party other than Medtronic to acquire Physio-Control,
    and has paid to Medtronic the termination fee described below;
    
 
   
        (g) By Medtronic if it is not then in material breach and there occurs a
    material breach of any representation, warranty, or obligation under the
    Merger Agreement on the part of Physio-Control, or by an affiliate of
    Physio-Control under its affiliate's letter, that cannot be cured within 30
    days; or
    
 
        (h) By Physio-Control if it is not then in material breach and there
    occurs a material breach of any representation, warranty, or obligation
    under the Merger Agreement on the part of Medtronic that cannot be cured
    within 30 days.
 
    Physio-Control has agreed to pay Medtronic $15 million if either (i) the
Merger Agreement is terminated as described in paragraph (e) or (f) above or
(ii) a third party either makes an acquisition proposal or in fact acquires 15%
or more of the outstanding Physio-Control Common Stock prior to the Meeting, and
either (A) the Physio-Control shareholders do not approve the Merger, (B) the
number of shares of Physio-Control Common Stock whose holders give notice of
exercise of dissenters' rights prevents the Merger from qualifying as a pooling
of interests, or (C) the Merger Agreement is terminated (except pursuant to
paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (h) above). See "The Merger--Stock Option
Agreement."
 
EXPENSES AND FEES
 
    Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with the Merger (including but not limited to accounting
and legal fees) and the transactions contemplated thereby will be paid by the
party incurring such costs and expenses, except that Medtronic and Physio-
Control will share equally all expenses related to printing and mailing the
Registration Statement and this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the filing fees
required under the HSR Act and any foreign merger laws, and the costs and fees
charged by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the letters described in "The Merger--
Accounting Treatment of the Merger."
 
    Goldman, Sachs & Co. provided certain financial advisory and investment
banking services to Medtronic in connection with the Merger, for which Medtronic
has agreed to pay a fee of $4 million.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
RESTRICTIONS ON RESALE OF MEDTRONIC COMMON STOCK
 
    The Medtronic Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger has been
registered under the Securities Act and will be freely transferable by the
recipients, but this registration does not cover resales by shareholders of
Physio-Control who may be deemed to control or be under common control with
Physio-Control at the time of the Meeting ("Affiliates"). Affiliates may not
sell their shares of Medtronic Common Stock acquired in connection with the
Merger except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act covering such shares, or in compliance with Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act or another applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. Physio-Control has delivered to Medtronic,
and agreed to update as necessary, a list identifying all persons who, in
Physio-Control's opinion, upon advice of counsel, are Affiliates of Physio-
Control for purposes of Rule 145. Physio-Control has delivered to Medtronic from
each person already identified as an Affiliate, and has agreed to use all
reasonable efforts to cause each person who is subsequently identified as an
Affiliate to deliver to Medtronic at or prior to the Effective Time, an
agreement that such persons (i) will not offer to sell, sell, or otherwise
dispose of any shares of Medtronic Common Stock received in the Merger in
violation of the Securities Act, (ii) have no present intention to sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the Medtronic Common Stock received in
the Merger and (iii) will not take any action that would jeopardize the
treatment of the Merger as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes. In
that regard, pursuant to Commission guidelines, such Affiliates should not sell,
transfer, or dispose of any shares of Physio-Control Common Stock or Medtronic
Common Stock or related stock options during the 30 days prior to the Effective
Time and should not sell, transfer, or dispose of any Medtronic Common Stock
received as a result of the Merger or otherwise until after such time as
Medtronic publicly releases a quarterly earnings report or files with the
Commission a registration statement or report, or makes any other public filing,
statement, or announcement that includes the combined financial results of
Medtronic and Physio-Control for a period of at least 30 days of combined
operations of Medtronic and Physio-Control following the Effective Time. It is
expected that Affiliates will be able to sell such shares without registration
and in accordance with the volume, manner of sale, and other applicable
limitations of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder.
 
   
    It is estimated that Affiliates of Physio-Control will receive a maximum of
approximately 616,650 shares of Medtronic Common Stock upon consummation of the
Merger (assuming full exercise of all outstanding Physio-Control options held by
such Affiliates and assuming a Conversion Fraction of .47516). Such shares would
constitute less than 1% of the total number of shares of Medtronic Common Stock
anticipated to be outstanding immediately after the Effective Time after giving
effect to the shares issued pursuant to the Merger. Solely for illustrative
purposes of the foregoing estimate, the Conversion Fraction was calculated by
using the August 24, 1998 Medtronic closing sale price of $57.875 as the assumed
Average Stock Price. See "The Merger--Conversion of Physio-Control Common Stock
in the Merger."
    
 
DEREGISTRATION OF PHYSIO-CONTROL COMMON STOCK
 
    If the Merger is consummated, the Physio-Control Common Stock will cease to
be quoted on the Nasdaq National Market, and Medtronic will apply to the
Commission for the deregistration of Physio-Control Common Stock under the
Exchange Act.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE MERGER
 
    Medtronic intends to account for the Merger as a "pooling of interests" for
accounting and financial reporting purposes under generally accepted accounting
principles. Under the pooling of interests method, the recorded assets and
liabilities of the companies are carried forward to the combined corporation at
their recorded amounts and the income (loss) of the companies constitutes the
income (loss) of the combined corporation for the entire fiscal period in which
the combination occurs as well as for prior fiscal periods. It is a condition to
the obligation of Medtronic and Merger Subsidiary to consummate the Merger
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
that Medtronic and Physio-Control shall have received letters from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Medtronic's and Physio-Control's independent
accountants, dated the closing date, confirming the letters provided by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as of the date of the Merger Agreement which stated
that (i) based upon the information furnished to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and
appropriate review and familiarity with Physio-Control, subject to customary
qualifications, no conditions exist that would preclude Physio-Control from
being a party to a pooling of interests business combination, and (ii) based
upon the information furnished to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, appropriate review
and familiarity with Medtronic, and review of the Merger Agreement, subject to
customary qualifications, no conditions exist that would preclude Medtronic's
accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests.
 
    To be eligible to use the pooling of interests method to account for the
Merger, Medtronic must, prior to the Merger, sell in one or more transactions
approximately 12.5 million shares of Medtronic Common Stock, which equals the
number of shares that are tainted for purposes of pooling of interests
accounting and were purchased by Medtronic in the open market pursuant to its
share repurchase program. If for any reason Medtronic is unable to complete such
sale of shares or such sale does not make Medtronic eligible for pooling of
interests treatment with respect to the Merger but all other conditions to the
Merger are met, Medtronic will be required to consummate the Merger within 10
business days after all other conditions to the Merger have been met. If the
Merger is consummated but Medtronic is not eligible to use the pooling of
interests method to account for the Merger (whether due to Medtronic's failure
to sell the necessary number of shares, the exercise of dissenters' rights by
holders of at least 10 percent of the outstanding shares of Physio-Control
Common Stock, or for any other reason), then the Merger would be accounted for
using the purchase accounting method. If, for any reason not within Medtronic's
control, Medtronic is not eligible to use the pooling of interests method to
account for the Merger, Medtronic will have the right to determine, in its sole
discretion, whether to proceed with the Merger. If the Merger were accounted for
using the purchase method of accounting, such accounting method would not
materially affect Medtronic's cash flow or the results of operations on a
continuing basis based on current and anticipated profitability levels. However,
the Merger could result in a one-time purchased in-process research and
development charge, which could be significant. See "Recent Developments."
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
    The following is a discussion of certain material United States federal
income tax considerations relevant to Physio-Control and the Physio-Control
shareholders in connection with the Merger. This discussion merely summarizes
certain principal United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger
and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all of the
potential tax effects relevant to the Merger. In this regard, this discussion
does not deal with all federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to
certain Physio-Control shareholders in light of their particular circumstances,
such as dealers in securities, shareholders who do not hold their Physio-Control
Common Stock as capital assets, foreign persons, tax-exempt entities, or persons
who are subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code.
Furthermore, it does not address Physio-Control shareholders who acquired their
shares in connection with stock options or stock purchase plans or in other
compensatory transactions. Moreover, it does not address the tax consequences of
the Merger under foreign, state, or local tax laws.
 
    PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS
TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE APPLICABLE UNITED STATES
FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM.
 
    Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, counsel to Physio-Control, has rendered an
opinion (the "Tax Opinion") that the Merger constitutes a reorganization under
section 368 of the Code. Neither Physio-Control nor Medtronic will request a
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with regard to any of the
United States federal income tax consequences of the Merger. The Tax Opinion is
based on and subject to certain assumptions and limitations as well as factual
representations received from Physio-Control and Medtronic, as discussed below.
An opinion of counsel represents only counsel's best legal judgment and
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
has no binding effect or official status of any kind, and no assurance can be
given that contrary positions may not be taken by the IRS or a court considering
the issues.
 
    Subject to the accuracy of representations contained in certain certificates
received from Physio-Control and Medtronic, it is the opinion of Preston Gates &
Ellis LLP that the material United States federal income tax consequences of the
Merger are as follows:
 
    NATURE OF THE MERGER.  The Merger will constitute a reorganization as
defined in Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code by application of Section
368(a)(2)(E) of the Code, and Physio-Control, Medtronic, and Merger Subsidiary
will each be "a party to a reorganization" within the meaning of section 368(b)
of the Code if the Merger is carried out in the manner set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
 
    CONSEQUENCES TO PHYSIO-CONTROL.  Physio-Control will not recognize gain or
loss upon Medtronic's issuance of Medtronic Common Stock to the Physio-Control
shareholders in the Merger and the transfer by operation of law of Merger
Subsidiary's assets and liabilities to Physio-Control upon consummation of the
Merger.
 
    CONSEQUENCES TO PHYSIO-CONTROL'S SHAREHOLDERS.  No gain or loss will be
recognized by Physio-Control's shareholders upon their receipt in the Merger of
Medtronic Common Stock, except to the extent of cash received in lieu of a
fractional share of Medtronic Common Stock.
 
    The aggregate tax basis of Medtronic Common Stock received in the Merger
(including any fractional share deemed received) will be the same as the
aggregate tax basis of the Physio-Control Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor, increased by the amount of Medtronic Common Stock treated as a
dividend, if any, and the amount of gain recognized on the exchange (not
including any portion of such gain that was treated as a dividend).
 
    The holding period of each share of Medtronic Common Stock received by each
of Physio-Control's shareholders in the Merger will include the period during
which such Physio-Control shareholder held his or her Physio-Control Common
Stock surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that the Physio-Control Common
Stock is held as a capital asset at the time of the Merger.
 
    Cash payments in lieu of a fractional share should be treated as if a
fractional share of Medtronic Common Stock had been issued in the Merger and
then redeemed by Medtronic. A Physio-Control shareholder receiving such cash
should generally recognize gain or loss upon such payment equal to the
difference (if any) between the amount of cash received and such shareholder's
basis in the fractional share (which will be a pro rata portion of the
shareholder's basis in the Medtronic Common Stock received in the Merger).
 
    Assuming that the Merger qualifies as a reorganization, a recipient of
shares of Medtronic Common Stock could nonetheless recognize income to the
extent that such shares are considered by the IRS to be received in exchange for
consideration other than the Physio-Control Common Stock, such as dividends
accrued on such Physio-Control Common Stock. All or a portion of such income may
be taxable as ordinary income. It is not anticipated, however, that the IRS
would make any such determination.
 
    A Physio-Control shareholder who receives solely cash for his or her
Physio-Control Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of dissenters' rights will
be obligated to report (i) either capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between the cash received by such shareholder and such shareholder's basis in
his or her Physio-Control Common stock, if the shareholder held his or her
Physio-Control Common Stock as a capital asset on the date of the Merger, or
(ii) dividend income, depending on whether the deemed redemption resulting from
the exercise of dissenters' rights qualifies for sale or exchange treatment
under the tests set forth in section 302(b) of the Code. Under those tests, most
Physio-Control shareholders who exercise their dissenters' rights should receive
capital gain or loss treatment (rather than dividend treatment), if the deemed
redemption of their Physio-Control Common Stock constitutes a "complete
redemption" of their interests in Physio-Control (and Medtronic, after the
Merger). To the extent that
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
persons related to any such shareholder continue to hold stock in Medtronic
after the Merger, the rules of section 318 of the Code may require dividend
treatment unless section 302 of the Code permits those rules to be waived in a
particular instance.
 
    LIMITATIONS ON OPINION AND DISCUSSION.  As noted earlier, the Tax Opinion is
subject to certain assumptions, including, but not limited to, the truth and
accuracy of certain representations made by Physio-Control and Medtronic.
Furthermore, the Tax Opinion will not bind the IRS and the IRS is, therefore,
not precluded from asserting a contrary position. The Tax Opinion and this
discussion are based on currently existing provisions of the Code, existing and
proposed Treasury regulations, and current administrative rulings and court
decisions. There can be no assurance that future legislative, judicial, or
administrative changes or interpretations will not adversely affect the accuracy
of the Tax Opinion or of statements and conclusions set forth herein. Any such
changes or interpretations could be applied retroactively and could affect the
tax consequences of the Merger.
 
    A successful challenge by the IRS to the tax-free reorganization status of
the Merger would result in Physio-Control's shareholders recognizing taxable
gain or loss with respect to each share of Physio-Control Common Stock
surrendered, equal to the difference between the shareholder's basis in such
share and the fair market value, as of the Effective Date, of the Medtronic
Common Stock and any cash received in exchange therefor. In such event, a
shareholder's aggregate basis in Medtronic Common Stock so received would equal
its fair market value at the Effective Date and the holding period for such
stock would begin on the day after the Effective Date.
 
INDEMNIFICATION
 
    Under the Merger Agreement, Medtronic has agreed to cause Physio-Control, as
the surviving corporation in the Merger, to continue to indemnify the present
and former officers and directors of Physio-Control following the Merger with
respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time, to the
extent that they were indemnified under Washington law and Physio-Control's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as of the date of the Merger Agreement.
Medtronic has also agreed to purchase a three-year extension of the directors'
and officers' liability insurance coverage currently maintained by
Physio-Control. See "The Merger--Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger."
 
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
 
   
    Under the HSR Act, certain acquisition transactions, including the Merger,
cannot be consummated unless certain information has been furnished to the
Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the Antitrust Division of the United States
Department of Justice and certain waiting period requirements have been
satisfied. Medtronic and Physio-Control each furnished such information on July
13, 1998. Pursuant to the HSR Act, the Merger may not be consummated until the
expiration of at least 30 days following the receipt of each filing, unless the
waiting period is earlier terminated by the FTC and the Antitrust Division. On
August 12, 1998, Medtronic and Physio-Control received a request for additional
information relating to the notifications that they had earlier filed under the
HSR Act. This request extends the waiting period during which the FTC and the
Antitrust Division can review the Merger. The waiting period will expire on the
20th day after the companies substantially comply with the request. The
companies intend to respond promptly to the request.
    
 
   
    The Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and the
FTC frequently scrutinize the legality under the antitrust laws of transactions
such as the Merger. At any time before or after the consummation of the Merger,
the Antitrust Division or the FTC could take such action under the antitrust
laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest, including
seeking to enjoin the consummation of the Merger or seeking the divestiture of
substantial assets of Physio-Control or Medtronic. Physio-Control and Medtronic
believe that the Merger will not violate the antitrust laws. There can be no
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
assurance, however, that a challenge to the Merger on antitrust grounds will not
be made or, if such a challenge is made, what the results will be.
 
    Due to the international scope of Medtronic's and Physio-Control's
businesses, regulatory filings may also be required in certain European and
other jurisdictions. Medtronic and Physio-Control are in the process of
determining whether any such filings will be required, but they do not expect
any such filings to affect the expected timing of the Merger.
 
    Other than as described herein, the Merger does not require the approval of
any federal, state, or other agency. See "The Merger--Conditions; Waiver."
 
RIGHTS OF DISSENTING PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS
 
    If the Merger occurs, Physio-Control shareholders are entitled to
dissenters' rights under Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA in connection with the
Merger. Medtronic shareholders are not entitled to dissenters' rights in
connection with the Merger.
 
    THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION IS NOT A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE LAW PERTAINING
TO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS UNDER THE WBCA AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF CHAPTER 23B.13 OF THE WBCA, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AS APPENDIX C. Any shareholder of Physio-Control
who wishes to exercise, or to preserve his or her right to exercise, dissenters'
rights should review the following discussion and Appendix C carefully, because
failure to timely and properly comply with the specified procedures will result
in the loss of dissenters' rights under the WBCA.
 
    Under the WBCA, Physio-Control shareholders have the right to dissent with
respect to the Merger and, subject to certain conditions, will be entitled to
receive payment in cash of the "fair value" of their shares. Under the WBCA, the
"fair value" of dissenting shares means the value of the shares of Physio-
Control immediately before the effective date of the Merger, excluding any
appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the Merger.
 
    Each beneficial owner asserting dissenters' rights must assert such rights
with respect to all shares that such shareholder beneficially owns or which such
shareholder has power to direct the vote, and such shareholder must submit to
Physio-Control, with or prior to such shareholder's assertion of dissenters'
rights, the record shareholder's written consent to such dissent. A record
shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all the shares
registered in such shareholder's name only if the shareholder dissents with
respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies
Physio-Control in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf
such shareholder asserts dissenters' rights. A Physio-Control dissenting
shareholder (i) must deliver to Physio-Control, before the vote on the Merger is
taken, written notice of such shareholder's intent to demand payment for such
shareholder's shares if the Merger occurs and (ii) must not vote such
shareholder's shares in favor of the Merger. Such notice should be delivered to
Physio-Control at its principal executive offices, located at 11811 Willows Road
NE, Redmond, Washington 98073-9706, Attention: Corporate Secretary. A
shareholder who does not satisfy both of these requirements will not be entitled
to dissenters' rights.
 
    If the Merger is approved by the Physio-Control shareholders, Physio-Control
will send written notice not later than 10 days after the Effective Time to each
Physio-Control dissenting holder (i) stating where such shareholder must send
his or her written payment demand, (ii) stating where and when certificates
representing Physio-Control Common Stock must be deposited, (iii) containing a
form for demanding payment, which requires that the dissenter certify whether or
not he or she acquired beneficial ownership before the first public announcement
of the Merger on June 29, 1998, and (iv) setting a date by which such written
payment demand must be received. Such notice must be accompanied by a copy of
Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA. A Physio-Control shareholder who does not demand
payment, certify that such shareholder acquired the shares before June 29, 1998,
and deposit his or her shares within the time provided by such notice will not
be entitled to dissenters' rights.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
   
    Physio-Control will pay to each Physio-Control dissenting shareholder who
complies with the procedures described above, within 30 days after the Effective
Time, the amount that Physio-Control estimates to be the fair value of such
dissenter's shares, plus accrued interest. Physio-Control will provide, along
with such payment, certain financial information, including Physio-Control's
balance sheet, income statement, and statement of changes in shareholders'
equity for its last fiscal year and Physio-Control's latest available interim
financial statements, an explanation of how Physio-Control estimated the fair
value of the shares, an explanation of how the accrued interest was calculated,
and certain other information. Physio-Control may elect, however, to withhold
such payment from any dissenter who was not the beneficial owner of the shares
of Physio-Control Common Stock as to which dissenters' rights are asserted
before the date of first public announcement of the Merger on June 29, 1998. Any
dissenting shareholder who is dissatisfied with such payment or such offer may,
within 30 days after such payment or offer for payment, notify Physio-Control in
writing of such shareholder's estimate of fair value of his or her shares and
the amount of interest due, and demand payment thereof.
    
 
    If any Physio-Control dissenting shareholder's demand for payment is not
settled within 60 days after receipt by Physio-Control of such shareholder's
payment demand (as described above), the WBCA requires that Physio-Control
commence a proceeding, and petition the court to determine the fair value of the
shares and accrued interest, naming all Physio-Control dissenting shareholders
whose demands remain unsettled as parties to the proceeding. The court may
appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend the
fair value of the shares. The dissenters will be entitled to the same discovery
rights as parties in other civil actions. Each dissenter made a party to the
proceeding will be entitled to judgment for the amount, if any, by which the
court finds that the fair value of his or her shares, plus accrued interest,
exceeds the amount paid by Physio-Control.
 
    Court costs and approval fees generally will be assessed against
Physio-Control, except that the court may assess such costs against some or all
of the dissenters to the extent that the court finds the dissenters acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment. The court
may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts of the respective
parties in amounts that the court finds equitable: (i) against Physio-Control,
if the court finds that it did not substantially comply with provisions of the
WBCA concerning dissenters' rights and (ii) against either the dissenter or
Physio-Control, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and
expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. If
the court finds that services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial
benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees should not be
assessed against Physio-Control, the court may award to such counsel reasonable
fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to dissenters who benefited from the
proceedings.
 
    It is a condition to Medtronic's obligation to consummate the Merger that
Medtronic receive letters from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the effect that the
Merger will qualify as a pooling-of-interests transaction under Opinion 16 of
the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations. For
the Merger to qualify as a pooling-of-interests transaction, holders of not more
than 10% of the outstanding Physio-Control Common Stock may assert dissenters'
rights.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
                     COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
 
    Medtronic Common Stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange
(symbol: MDT), and it is a condition to all parties' obligations to consummate
the Merger that the Medtronic Common Stock to be issued in the Merger be
approved for such listing. Physio-Control Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq
National Market (symbol: PHYS).
 
    The following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the high and low
sales prices per share of Medtronic Common Stock on the NYSE and the cash
dividends paid per share of Medtronic Common Stock. Also set forth, for the
calendar period indicated, are the high and low sales prices per share of
Physio-Control Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 PHYSIO-CONTROL
                                                               MEDTRONIC COMMON STOCK             COMMON STOCK
                                                         -----------------------------------  ---------------------
                                                            HIGH        LOW       DIVIDENDS     HIGH        LOW
                                                         ----------  ----------  -----------  ---------  ----------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>        <C>
CALENDAR 1996
First Quarter..........................................  $  31.3125  $  22.25     $   .0325   $  22.50   $  17.50
Second Quarter.........................................  $  29.875   $  24.375    $   .0325   $  23.75   $  17.125
Third Quarter..........................................  $  32.4375  $  23.50     $   .0475   $  25.25   $  15.375
Fourth Quarter.........................................  $  34.9375  $  30.25     $   .0475   $  24.125  $  18.25
 
CALENDAR 1997
First Quarter..........................................  $  35.875   $  28.8125   $   .0475   $  23.50   $  13.25
Second Quarter.........................................  $  44.4375  $  30.375    $   .0475   $  15.25   $  11.375
Third Quarter..........................................  $  49.25    $  42.50     $   .055    $  19.125  $  12.50
Fourth Quarter.........................................  $  52.75    $  40.5625   $   .055    $  17.50   $  14.50
 
CALENDAR 1998
First Quarter..........................................  $  58.4375  $  45.4375   $   .055    $  19.875  $  15.125
Second Quarter.........................................  $  66.00    $  47.9375   $   .055    $  26.50   $  16.25
Third Quarter (through August 24)......................  $  72.75    $  51.1875   $   .065    $  26.875  $  25.5625
</TABLE>
    
 
    Physio-Control has never paid cash dividends. Under the Merger Agreement,
Physio-Control has agreed not to pay any dividends on Physio-Control Common
Stock prior to the Merger. Medtronic has paid regular quarterly cash dividends
on Medtronic Common Stock since 1978. It is expected that the Board of Directors
of Medtronic will continue the practice of declaring cash dividends on a
quarterly basis; however, no assurance can be given as to the amount of future
dividends, which will necessarily be dependent on future earnings, financial
requirements of Medtronic and its subsidiaries, and other factors.
 
   
    In the Merger, shares of Physio-Control Common Stock will be converted into
shares of Medtronic Common Stock based on the Conversion Fraction, which equals
$27.50 divided by the Average Stock Price for the 19 consecutive NYSE trading
days ending on the first NYSE trading day immediately preceding the Effective
Time of the Merger. On June 26, 1998, the last trading day preceding public
announcement of the Merger, the reported closing sale price of Medtronic Common
Stock on the NYSE was $62.9375 per share, resulting in an implied Conversion
Fraction (if it were determined based on the closing sale price that day) of
 .4369. On that day, the reported closing sale price of Physio-Control Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $23.00 per share. On August 24, 1998,
the latest practicable trading day prior to the printing of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, the closing sale price of Medtronic Common Stock on the
NYSE was $57.875 per share, resulting in an implied Conversion Fraction (if it
were determined based on the closing sale price that day) of .47516. The
reported closing sale price of Physio-Control Common Stock on the Nasdaq
National Market on that day was $26.375 per share. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO
OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS.
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
   
    As of August 24, 1998, there were approximately 32,850 registered holders of
Medtronic Common Stock and approximately 100 registered holders of
Physio-Control Common Stock.
    
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
MEDTRONIC STOCK OFFERING
 
    To be eligible to use the pooling of interests accounting method to account
for the Merger and other future acquisitions, Medtronic intends to sell in one
or more transactions up to approximately 12.5 million shares of Medtronic Common
Stock. The offering is expected to be completed prior to the Merger, but there
can be no assurance that the offering will be completed successfully. See "The
Merger--Accounting Treatment of the Merger" and "--Conditions; Waiver."
 
AVECOR CARDIOVASCULAR INC.
 
    On July 13, 1998, Medtronic announced that it had entered into an agreement
to acquire AVECOR Cardiovascular Inc. ("Avecor"), a company that develops,
manufactures, and markets specialty medical devices for heart/lung bypass
surgery and long-term respiratory support. Pursuant to the acquisition
agreement, upon the fulfillment or waiver of certain conditions, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Medtronic created for the Avecor acquisition will merge with and
into Avecor. Avecor will then become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic in a
stock-for-stock merger that is expected to be tax-free and accounted for using
the purchase accounting method. In the Avecor merger, which is valued at
approximately $91 million, each outstanding share of stock of Avecor will be
exchanged for the right to receive the portion of a share of Medtronic Common
Stock equal to $11.125 divided by the average of the daily closing sale prices
of a share of Medtronic Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape for
the 18 consecutive NYSE trading days ending on the second NYSE trading day
immediately preceding the effective time of the Avecor merger. It is expected
that the Avecor acquisition will be completed in the third or fourth quarter of
the 1998 calendar year, but there can be no assurance that the acquisition will
be completed successfully.
 
   
OTHER INVESTMENTS AND ACQUISITIONS
    
 
   
    Medtronic has historically been, and continues to be, actively engaged in
exploring business opportunities through investments and acquisitions. As such,
at any particular time, in addition to investments and acquisitions for which
definitive agreements have been executed and publicly announced, Medtronic is
routinely reviewing several other investment or acquisition opportunities of
varying magnitude and significance or negotiating the terms of such potential
investments or acquisitions prior to the execution of definitive agreements and
public announcements thereof.
    
 
                COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF MEDTRONIC SHAREHOLDERS AND
                          PHYSIO-CONTROL SHAREHOLDERS
 
    Upon consummation of the Merger, shareholders of Physio-Control will become
shareholders of Medtronic. Medtronic and Physio-Control are incorporated under
the laws of the states of Minnesota and Washington, respectively. The rights of
Medtronic shareholders under Medtronic's Restated Articles of Incorporation as
amended ("Medtronic's Articles"), Medtronic's Bylaws, and the Minnesota Business
Corporation Act (the "MBCA") differ in certain respects from the rights of
Physio-Control shareholders under Physio-Control's Articles of Incorporation
("Physio-Control's Articles"), Physio-Control's Bylaws, and the WBCA. Certain
significant differences between the rights of Medtronic shareholders and Physio-
Control shareholders are summarized below. This summary does not, however,
purport to be a complete description of all of the differences between the
rights of shareholders of Physio-Control and the rights of shareholders of
Medtronic.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
   
CLASSIFICATION, REMOVAL, AND NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
    
 
    CLASSIFICATION.  Medtronic's Articles provide for a classified Board of
Directors, under which directors are elected to three-year terms, with one-third
of the directors being elected each year. Physio-Control's Articles similarly
classifies its Board of Directors. Both Medtronic's Articles and
Physio-Control's Articles provide for vacancies on the Board to be filled by a
majority of the remaining Board members.
 
    The WBCA provides that the board of directors of a Washington corporation
shall consist of one or more directors as fixed by the corporation's articles of
incorporation or bylaws. The Physio-Control Articles and Bylaws provide for a
board of directors to be set by resolution of the Board adopted by 70%
affirmative vote of the total number of directors then in office. The Board
currently consists of seven directors. As permitted under the WBCA, the
Physio-Control Board is classified into three classes which are as equal in
number as possible. Directors in each class serve for a three-year term, and
elections are staggered such that one class is elected each year. The WBCA
provides for cumulative voting for directors, unless a corporation has opted out
of such provision. Physio-Control has not opted out of this provision.
 
    REMOVAL.  Medtronic's Articles provide that directors may be removed, with
or without cause, only by the vote of not less than 75% of the voting power of
all then outstanding voting shares.
 
    The WBCA provides that a corporation's shareholders may remove one or more
directors with or without cause unless the articles of incorporation provide
that directors may be removed only for cause. The Physio-Control Articles
provide that any director may be removed only for cause and only at a special
meeting called for such purpose and then only if the affirmative vote to remove
by holders of shares of outstanding stock of Physio-Control entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors exceeds the numbers cast not to remove
the director.
 
   
    NOMINATION.  Medtronic's Articles provide that nominations for the election
of directors may be made by or at the direction of the Medtronic Board of
Directors or by any shareholder entitled to vote in the election of directors
generally. Nominations by shareholders must be made pursuant to timely notice in
writing to the Secretary of Medtronic. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must
be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of
Medtronic not less than 50 days nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting;
provided, however, that if less than 60 days' notice or prior public disclosure
of the date of the meeting is given or made to the shareholders, notice by the
shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of
business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of
the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. The notice must set
forth certain information concerning such shareholder and his or her nominee(s),
including their names and addresses, the principal occupation or employment of
the nominee(s), the class and number of shares of capital stock of Medtronic
that are beneficially owned by such persons, such other information as would be
required to be included in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election
of the nominees of such shareholder, and the consent of each nominee to serve as
a director of Medtronic if so elected. Physio-Control's Articles and Bylaws do
not address the issue of nomination of directors.
    
 
    AMENDMENT OF PROVISIONS.  Medtronic's Articles require the affirmative vote
of not less than 75% of the voting power of all then outstanding voting shares
to amend, repeal or adopt any provisions inconsistent with these provisions
regarding classification, removal and nomination of directors.
 
    The WBCA authorizes a corporation's board of directors to make various
changes to its articles of incorporation without shareholder action. These
so-called housekeeping changes include changes of corporate name, the number of
outstanding shares to effectuate a stock split or stock dividend in the
corporation's own shares, and the par value of its stock. Otherwise, amendments
to a corporation's articles of incorporation must be recommended to the
shareholders by the board of directors, unless the board of directors determines
that because of conflict of interest or other special circumstances it should
make no recommendation and communicates the basis for its determination to the
shareholders with the amendment, and must be approved by two-thirds, or in the
case of a public company, a majority of all the votes
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
entitled to be cast by any voting group entitled to vote thereon unless another
proportion is specified in the articles of incorporation, by the board of
directors as a condition to its recommendation, or by provisions of the WBCA.
The Physio-Control Articles specify that amendment requires at least two-thirds
of the votes of then outstanding shares of each voting group as specified in the
WBCA to approve amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision in the
Physio-Control Articles of Incorporation.
 
    The above-described provisions of Medtronic's Articles regarding directors
will be subject to the terms of the certificate of designation or other
instrument creating any class or series of preferred stock giving the holders of
such class or series of preferred stock the right, voting separately as a class,
to elect one or more directors (such as is often required by the terms of
preferred stock in the event that dividend payments are in arrears for a period
of time). See "Comparative Rights of Medtronic Shareholders and Physio-Control
Shareholders--Preferred Stock."
 
    These provisions regarding classification, removal and nomination of
directors afford some assurance of stability in the composition of the Medtronic
Board of Directors, but may discourage or deter attempts by individuals or
entities to take control of Medtronic by electing their own slate of directors.
To the extent that potential acquirers of Medtronic stock are deterred by the
classified Board, such provision also may deter certain mergers, tender offers,
or other future takeover attempts which some or a majority of holders of
Medtronic Common Stock may deem to be in their best interests. In addition, the
classified Medtronic Board would delay shareholders who do not favor the
policies of Medtronic's Board of Directors from removing a majority of the
Medtronic Board of Directors for two years, unless they can obtain the requisite
vote.
 
    LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS.  Both Medtronic's Articles and Physio-Control's
Articles exempt directors from personal liability to the corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to
the full extent permitted by Minnesota and Washington law, respectively.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Medtronic has 2,500,000 authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $1 per share. Medtronic's Articles provide that whenever the holders
of a class or series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect any directors,
the election, term and other features of such directorships shall be governed by
the terms set forth in the resolution of the Medtronic Board of Directors
designating the rights and preferences of such class or series of Preferred
Stock, and any directors elected by the holders of Preferred Stock shall not be
divided into classes unless provision is expressly made for such classification
by the terms of such Preferred Stock. Shares of Medtronic Preferred Stock could
be issued that would have the right to elect directors, either separately or
together with the Medtronic Common Stock, with such directors either divided or
not divided into classes.
 
    Under certain circumstances such Medtronic Preferred Stock could be used to
create voting impediments or to deter persons seeking to effect a takeover or
otherwise gain control of Medtronic in a transaction which holders of some or a
majority of the Medtronic Common Stock may deem to be in their best interests.
Such shares of Medtronic Preferred stock could be sold in public or private
transactions to purchasers who might support the Medtronic Board of Directors in
opposing a takeover bid that the Medtronic Board of Directors determines not to
be in the best interests of Medtronic and its shareholders. In addition, the
Medtronic Board of Directors could authorize holders of a class or series of
Preferred Stock to vote, either separately as a class or together with the
holders of Medtronic Common Stock, on any merger, sale, or exchange of assets by
Medtronic or any other extraordinary corporate transaction. The ability to issue
such Medtronic Preferred Stock might have the effect of discouraging an attempt
by another person or entity, through the acquisition of a substantial number of
shares of Medtronic Common Stock, to acquire control of Medtronic with a view to
imposing a merger, sale of all or any part of the assets or a similar
transaction, because the issuance of new shares could be used to dilute the
stock ownership of
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
such person or entity. See "Comparative Rights of Medtronic Shareholders and
Physio-Control Shareholders--Shareholder Rights Plan."
 
    Physio-Control has 5,000,000 authorized but unissued shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share, and the Board of Directors has the authority to
fix or alter the terms of such shares.
 
SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
    Under Minnesota law, a special meeting of shareholders may be called by
certain officers, two or more directors, a person authorized to do so in the
articles or bylaws, or shareholders holding at least 10% of the voting power of
all shares entitled to vote, except that a special meeting for the purpose of
considering an action to effect, directly or indirectly, a business combination
must be called by shareholders holding at least 25% of the voting power of all
shares entitled to vote.
 
    The WBCA provides that a special meeting of shareholders of a corporation
may be called by its board of directors, by holders of at least 10% of all the
votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed
special meeting, or by other persons authorized to do so by the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of the corporation. However, the WBCA allows the right
of shareholders to call a special meeting to be limited or denied to the extent
provided in the articles of incorporation. The Physio-Control Articles deny this
right by providing that a special meeting of shareholders may only be called by
either a majority of the total number of directors then in office or the chief
executive officer.
 
VOTING RIGHTS; SHAREHOLDER APPROVALS
 
    Under both Medtronic's Articles and Physio-Control's Articles, holders of
Medtronic Common Stock and Physio-Control Common Stock, respectively, are
entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the
shareholders. Medtronic's Bylaws provide that, except as specifically required
otherwise under Medtronic's Articles, Bylaws or Minnesota law, all matters
submitted to the shareholders are decided by a majority vote of the shares
entitled to vote and represented at a meeting at which there is a quorum.
 
    Under the WBCA, a merger or share exchange of a corporation must be approved
by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors when a quorum is present, and
by each shareholder voting group entitled to vote separately on the plan by
two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the plan by each voting
shareholder group, unless another proportion is specified in the articles of
incorporation. The Physio-Control Articles do not provide otherwise. The WBCA
also provides that certain mergers need not be approved by the shareholders of
the surviving corporation if (i) the articles of incorporation will not change
in the merger, except for specified permitted amendments, (ii) no change occurs
in the number, designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights of
shares held by those shareholders who were shareholders prior to the merger;
(iii) the number of voting shares outstanding immediately after the merger, plus
the voting shares issuable as a result of the merger, will not exceed the
authorized voting shares specified in the surviving corporation's articles of
incorporation immediately prior to the merger; and (iv) the number of
participating shares outstanding immediately after the merger, plus the number
of participating shares issuable as a result of the merger, will not exceed the
authorized participating shares specified in the corporation's articles of
incorporation immediately prior to the merger. Under the WBCA, approval by the
Physio-Control shareholders of the Merger by a two-thirds vote is required. The
Board of Directors unanimously approved the Merger.
 
    The WBCA also provides that, in general, a corporation may sell, lease,
exchange, or otherwise dispose of all, or substantially all, of its property,
other than in the usual and regular course of business or dissolve if the board
of directors recommends the proposed transaction to the shareholders and the
shareholders approve the transaction by two-thirds of all the votes entitled to
be cast in the transaction, unless another proportion is specified in the
articles of incorporation. The Physio-Control Articles do not provide otherwise.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
CUMULATIVE VOTING
 
    Medtronic's Articles do not provide for cumulative voting with regard to the
Medtronic Common Stock. Under the WBCA, unless otherwise provided in the
articles of incorporation, shareholders entitled to vote at an election of
directors are entitled to cumulative voting. Physio-Control's Articles do not
otherwise provide.
 
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
 
    Under Medtronic's Articles, holders of Medtronic stock are expressly denied
preemptive rights. The WBCA provides that a corporation's shareholders have
preemptive rights only if such rights are expressly granted in the corporation's
articles of incorporation. Physio-Control's Articles does not grant preemptive
rights.
 
AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
 
    Under Minnesota law, an amendment to the articles of incorporation requires
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present and
entitled to vote unless a larger affirmative vote is required by the
corporation's articles. Except as specifically described otherwise in this
"Comparative Rights of Medtronic Shareholders and Physio-Control Shareholders,"
Medtronic's Articles do not contain any provisions that require a larger
affirmative vote in order to amend Medtronic's Articles.
 
    Under Washington law, an amendment to the articles of incorporation requires
the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote
thereon, or, in the case of a public company, by a majority of all shares
entitled to vote thereon, unless the corporation's certificate requires a
greater or lesser number for approval. Physio-Control's Articles contain a
provision requiring two-thirds majority vote for approval.
 
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITIONS
 
    Medtronic is governed by Sections 302A.671 and 302A.673 of the MBCA. In
general, Section 302A.671 provides that the shares of a corporation acquired in
a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights unless voting rights are
approved in a prescribed manner. A "control share acquisition" is an
acquisition, directly or indirectly, of beneficial ownership of shares that
would, when added to all other shares beneficially owned by the acquiring
person, entitle the acquiring person to have voting power of 20% or more in the
election of directors. In general, Section 302A.673 prohibits a public Minnesota
corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested
shareholder" for a period of four years after the date of the transaction in
which the person became an interested shareholder, unless the business
combination is approved in a prescribed manner. "Business combination" includes
mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to
the interested shareholder. An "interested shareholder" is a person who is the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the corporation's
voting stock or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any
time within four years prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the corporation's voting stock. Such
provisions of Minnesota law could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of Medtronic.
 
    Chapter 23B.19 of the WBCA, which applies to all Washington corporations
which have a class of voting stock registered with the Commission under the
Exchange Act, prohibits a "target corporation," with certain exceptions, from
engaging in certain "significant business transactions" with a person or group
of persons which beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting securities of the
target corporation (i.e., an "Acquiror") for a period of five years after such
acquisition, unless the transaction or acquisition of shares is approved by a
majority of the members of the target corporation's board of directors prior to
the time of acquisition. Such prohibited transactions include, among other
things, a merger or consolidation with, disposition of assets to, or issuance or
redemption of stock to or from, the Acquiror, termination of 5% or
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
more of the employees of the target corporation as a result of the Acquiror's
acquisition of 10% or more of the shares, or allowing the Acquiror to receive
any disproportionate benefit as a shareholder. After the five-year period, a
"significant business transaction" may take place if it complies with certain
"fair price" provisions of the statute. A corporation may "opt out" of this
statute; however since it has not, Physio-Control is subject to it. The Merger
will not be subject to the provisions of the statute because the Physio-Control
Board has approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby.
 
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
    Medtronic has in effect a Shareholder Rights Plan and has entered into a
Rights Agreement with Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights Agent. The Rights
Plan provides for a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right
(a "Right") to be attached to each outstanding share of Medtronic Common Stock.
The Right associated with each outstanding share of Medtronic Common Stock
entitles the holder to buy 1/1600th of a Series A Junior Participating Preferred
Share (the "Series A Preferred Shares") of Medtronic, which is substantially
equivalent to one share of Medtronic Common Stock, at an exercise price of
$37.50 per 1/1600th of a Series A Preferred Share. The Rights are not currently
exercisable or transferable apart from the Medtronic Common Stock.
 
    The Rights will become exercisable if a person or group acquires 15% or more
of the Medtronic Common Stock (and thereby becomes an "Acquiring Person") or
announces a tender offer or exchange offer that would increase the Acquiring
Person's beneficial ownership to 15% or more of the outstanding Medtronic Common
Stock, subject to certain exceptions. After the Rights become exercisable, each
Right entitles the holder (other the Acquiring Person), instead, to purchase
Medtronic Common Stock that has a market value of two times the exercise price
of the Right. If Medtronic is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction, each exercisable Right entitles the holder to purchase common stock
of the Acquiring Person or an affiliate that has a market value of two times the
exercise price of the Right. Each Right is redeemable by Medtronic at $.000625
any time before a person or group triggers the 15% threshold to become an
Acquiring Person. The Rights expire on July 10, 2001.
 
    The Rights issued under the Medtronic Shareholder Rights Plan may make any
merger not approved by Medtronic's Board of Directors prohibitively expensive,
because the Rights allow Medtronic shareholders to purchase the voting
securities of Medtronic or a potential acquirer at one-half of its fair market
value.
 
    Physio-Control does not have a shareholder rights plan.
 
RELATED PERSON BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
 
    Medtronic's Articles provide that, in certain circumstances, an affirmative
vote of two-thirds of the voting power of all then outstanding voting shares is
required for the approval or authorization of any "related person business
transaction." Such two-thirds approval is not required, however, if (i) a
majority vote of "continuing directors" (as defined below) expressly approves
the related person business transaction, or (ii) the related person business
transaction is a merger, consolidation, exchange of shares or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of Medtronic, and the cash or fair market value
of the property received by the Medtronic shareholders is equal to a defined
minimum purchase price. For purposes of this provision, a "continuing director"
means, generally, those directors who were directors before the "related person"
(as defined below) became a related person.
 
    Generally, a related person business transaction includes (i) any merger or
consolidation of Medtronic with or into a related person, (ii) any exchange of
shares of Medtronic (or a subsidiary) for shares of a related person which would
have required an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote, (iii) any sale, lease, exchange,
transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions),
including without limitation a mortgage or any other security device, of all or
any substantial part of the assets of Medtronic (or a subsidiary) to or with a
related person,
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
(iv) any sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction or a
series of transactions) of all or any substantial part of the assets of a
related person to or with Medtronic (or a subsidiary), (v) the issuance, sale,
transfer or other disposition to a related person of any securities of Medtronic
(except pursuant to stock dividends, stock splits, or similar transactions that
would not have the effect of increasing the proportion of voting power of a
related person) or of a subsidiary (except pursuant to a pro rata distribution
to all holders of Medtronic Common Stock), (vi) any recapitalization or
reclassification that would have the effect of increasing the proportionate
voting power of a related person, and (vii) any agreement, contract, arrangement
or understanding providing for any of the transactions described above.
 
    Generally, for purposes of a related person business transaction, the term
"related person" is broadly defined to include a wide range of potential
persons, including any person or entity that, together with affiliates and
associates, beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of
Medtronic.
 
    Such a provision could have the effect of impeding a potential acquirer of
Medtronic by requiring a larger than normal majority of Medtronic shareholders
to approve a transaction. There is no similar "related person business
transaction" provision in Physio-Control's Articles.
 
                     CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
                      BETWEEN PHYSIO-CONTROL AND MEDTRONIC
 
   
    STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.  Physio-Control and Medtronic are parties to a Stock
Option Agreement dated June 27, 1998, pursuant to which Physio-Control has
granted to Medtronic an option, exercisable under certain specified
circumstances, to purchase 19.9% of the Physio-Control Common Stock. See "The
Merger--Stock Option Agreement."
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
   
    The validity of the Medtronic Common Stock to be issued in connection with
the Merger will be passed upon for Medtronic by Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.,
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Members of such firm own, in the aggregate,
approximately 86,400 shares of Medtronic Common Stock.
    
 
   
    Certain legal matters for Physio-Control, including the federal income tax
consequences in connection with the Merger, were passed upon by Preston Gates &
Ellis LLP, Seattle, Washington. Members of such firm own, in the aggregate,
approximately 2,000 shares of Medtronic Common Stock.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Medtronic, Inc. for the year ended April 30, 1998 have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The
consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Physio-Control International Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1997
have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
   
                                   APPENDIX A
    
 
                                 PLAN OF MERGER
                                       OF
                                PC MERGER CORP.
                                      INTO
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                   ARTICLE 1
                       NAMES OF CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS
 
    1.1  CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS.  The names of the Constituent Corporations
are PC Merger Corp., a Washington corporation ("Merger Subsidiary"), and
Physio-Control International Corporation, a Washington corporation (the
"Company"). The Constituent Corporations shall be combined by the merger of
Merger Subsidiary into the Company as the Surviving Corporation (the "Merger"),
pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Washington Business Corporation Act
("WBCA").
 
    1.2  CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Plan of Merger, the following
capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
 
        (a) "Company Common Stock" means common stock of the Company, par value
    $.01 per share.
 
        (b) "Company Options" means all options to purchase shares of Company
    Common Stock that are outstanding at the Effective Time.
 
        (c) "Conversion Fraction" means as defined in Section 2.2(a) hereof.
 
   
        (d) "Merger Agreement" means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger
    dated June 27, 1998, by and among Medtronic, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
    and sole shareholder of Merger Subsidiary ("Parent"), Merger Subsidiary, and
    the Company, a copy of which shall be maintained at the Surviving
    Corporation's principal executive office and made available to any
    shareholder of either Constituent Corporation upon request.
    
 
        (e) "Merger Subsidiary Common Stock" means common stock of Merger
    Subsidiary, par value $.01 per share.
 
        (f) "Parent Average Stock Price" shall mean the average (rounded to the
    nearest full cent, with the cents rounded up if the third decimal place is 5
    or more) of the daily closing sale prices of a share of Parent Common Stock
    as reported on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Composite Tape, as
    reported in The Wall Street Journal, for the 19 consecutive NYSE trading
    days ending on and including the first NYSE trading day immediately
    preceding the Effective Time.
 
        (g) "Parent Common Stock" means common stock of Parent, par value $.10
    per share.
 
        (h) "Surviving Corporation" means the Company as the surviving
    corporation of the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into the Company.
 
        (i) "Surviving Corporation Common Stock" means common stock of the
    Surviving Corporation, par value $.01 per share.
 
                                   ARTICLE 2
                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 
    2.1  MERGER; EFFECTIVE TIME.  The Merger shall be effective upon the filing
with the Washington Secretary of State of Articles of Merger including this Plan
of Merger and such other documents as are
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
required by the WBCA to be filed with the Secretary of State of Washington (the
time of such filing being the "Effective Time"). At the Effective Time, the
separate existence of Merger Subsidiary shall cease and the Company shall alone
continue in existence as the Surviving Corporation. All transactions on and
after the Effective Time shall be deemed transactions of and for the account of
the Company as the Surviving Corporation.
 
    2.2  CONVERSION OF SHARES.  At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of any holder of any share of capital stock
of the Company or Merger Subsidiary:
 
        (a) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
    immediately prior thereto (except for Dissenting Shares, as defined in
    Section 2.3 hereof, and except for shares referred to in Section 2.2(b)
    hereof) shall be converted into the right to receive the fraction of a share
    (subject to adjustment as provided below, the "Conversion Fraction") of
    Parent Common Stock equal to $27.50 divided by the Parent Average Stock
    Price.
 
        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the sum of the number of shares of
    Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
    plus the number of shares subject to then outstanding options, warrants, or
    other rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock (collectively,
    "Company Stock Acquisition Rights") is greater than 20,693,456 shares plus
    that number of shares issuable under the Company's Employee Share Purchase
    Plan and Team Savings Plan or if the aggregate exercise price of all such
    Company Stock Acquisition Rights then outstanding is less than the aggregate
    exercise price reflected in Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
    to the Merger Agreement, then the $27.50 amount per share of Company Common
    Stock, as described above, shall be reduced to an amount equal to (i)
    $[27.50 times 20,693,456 shares plus that number of shares issuable under
    the Company's Employee Share Purchase Plan and Team Savings Plan] minus the
    aggregate exercise price reflected in Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure
    Schedule to the Merger Agreement plus the aggregate amount received by the
    Company as a result of any issuance of Company Common Stock after the date
    of the Merger Agreement and prior to the Effective Time plus the aggregate
    exercise price of all Company Stock Acquisition Rights outstanding
    immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by (ii) the sum of (A) the
    number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
    the Effective Time plus (B) the number of shares subject to Company Stock
    Acquisition Rights then outstanding.
 
        An appropriate adjustment shall similarly be made in the event that,
    prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock,
    without new consideration, are changed into or exchanged for a different
    kind of shares or securities through a reorganization, reclassification,
    stock dividend, stock combination, or other like change in the Company's
    capitalization. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section shall
    be deemed to constitute authorization or permission for or consent from
    Parent or Merger Subsidiary to any increase in the number of shares of
    Company Common Stock outstanding or subject to outstanding Company Stock
    Acquisition Rights, to any decrease in the exercise price of such Rights, or
    to any reorganization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock combination,
    or other like change in capitalization.
 
        (b) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
    immediately prior to the Effective Time that is held in the treasury of the
    Company or is then owned beneficially or of record by Parent, Merger
    Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent or the Company
    shall be cancelled without payment of any consideration therefor and without
    any conversion thereof.
 
        (c) Each share of any other class of capital stock of the Company (other
    than Company Common Stock) shall be cancelled without payment of any
    consideration therefor and without any conversion thereof.
 
        (d) Each share of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock issued and outstanding
    immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into one share of
    Surviving Corporation Common Stock.
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
    2.3  DISSENTING SHARES.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Merger
Agreement to the contrary, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock, the
holder of which has demanded and perfected such holder's right to dissent from
the Merger and to be paid the fair value of such shares in accordance with
Sections 23B.13.020 ET SEQ. of the WBCA and, as of the Effective Time, has not
effectively withdrawn or lost such dissenters' rights ("Dissenting Shares"),
shall not be converted into or represent a right to receive the Parent Common
Stock into which shares of Company Common Stock are converted pursuant to
Section 2.2 hereof, but the holder thereof shall be entitled only to such rights
as are granted by the WBCA. The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt written
notice of any notice of intent to demand fair value for any shares of Company
Common Stock, withdrawals of such notices, and any other instruments served
pursuant to the WBCA or any other provisions of Washington law and received by
the Company, and (ii) the opportunity to conduct jointly all negotiations and
proceedings with respect to demands for fair value for shares of Company Common
Stock under the WBCA. The Company shall not, except with the prior written
consent of Parent, voluntarily make any payment with respect to any demands for
fair value for shares of Company Common Stock or offer to settle or settle any
such demands.
 
    2.4  EXCHANGE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK.
 
        (a) Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause Parent's stock
    transfer agent or such other person as Parent may appoint to act as exchange
    agent (the "Exchange Agent") to mail to each holder of record (other than
    Parent, Merger Subsidiary, the Company, or any subsidiary of Parent or the
    Company) of a certificate or certificates that immediately prior to the
    Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
    ("Company Certificates") a form letter of transmittal (which shall specify
    that delivery shall be effective, and risk of loss and title to the Company
    Certificate(s) shall pass, only upon delivery of the Company Certificate(s)
    to the Exchange Agent) and instructions for such holder's use in effecting
    the surrender of the Company Certificates in exchange for certificates
    representing shares of Parent Common Stock.
 
        (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent
    shall distribute to holders of shares of Company Common Stock, upon
    surrender to the Exchange Agent of one or more Company Certificates for
    cancellation, together with a duly-executed letter of transmittal, (i) one
    or more Parent certificates representing the number of whole shares of
    Parent Common Stock into which the shares represented by the Company
    Certificate(s) shall have been converted pursuant to Section 2.2(a), and
    (ii) a bank check in the amount of cash into which the shares represented by
    the Company Certificate(s) shall have been converted pursuant to Section
    2.4(f) (relating to fractional shares), and the Company Certificate(s) so
    surrendered shall be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of
    Company Common Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the
    Company, it shall be a condition to the issuance of shares of Parent Common
    Stock that the Company Certificate(s) so surrendered shall be properly
    endorsed or be otherwise in proper form for transfer and that such
    transferee shall (i) pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes
    required or (ii) establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that
    such tax has been paid or is not payable.
 
        (c) Holders of Company Common Stock will be entitled to any dividends or
    other distributions pertaining to the Parent Common Stock received in
    exchange therefor that become payable to persons who are holders of record
    of Parent Common Stock as of a record date that follows the Effective Time,
    but only after they have surrendered their Company Certificates for
    exchange. Subject to the effect, if any, of applicable law, the Exchange
    Agent shall receive, hold, and remit any such dividends or other
    distributions to each such record holder entitled thereto, without interest,
    at the time that such Company Certificates are surrendered to the Exchange
    Agent for exchange. Holders of Company Common Stock will not be entitled,
    however, to dividends or other distributions that become payable before or
    after the Effective Time to persons who were holders of record of Parent
    Common Stock as of a record date that is prior to the Effective Time.
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
        (d) All shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon the surrender for
    exchange of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof
    (including any cash paid for fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.4(f)
    hereof) shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all
    rights pertaining to such shares of Company Common Stock.
 
        (e) After the Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of
    transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the
    shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
    the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Company Certificates
    representing such shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they
    shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article 2. As of the
    Effective Time, the holders of Company Certificates representing shares of
    Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights as shareholders of the
    Company, except such rights, if any, as they may have pursuant to the WBCA.
    Except as provided above, until such Company Certificates are surrendered
    for exchange, each such Company Certificate shall, after the Effective Time,
    represent for all purposes only the right to receive the number of whole
    shares of Parent Common Stock into which the shares of Company Common Stock
    shall have been converted pursuant to the Merger as provided in Section
    2.2(a) hereof and the right to receive the cash value of any fraction of a
    share of Parent Common Stock as provided in Section 2.4(f) hereof.
 
        (f) No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and no certificates or
    scrip therefor, or other evidence of ownership thereof, shall be issued upon
    the surrender for exchange of Company Certificates, no dividend or other
    distribution of Parent shall relate to any fractional share, and such
    fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to
    any rights of a shareholder of Parent. All fractional shares of Parent
    Common Stock to which a holder of Company Common Stock immediately prior to
    the Effective Time would otherwise be entitled, at the Effective Time, shall
    be aggregated if and to the extent multiple Company Certificates of such
    holder are submitted together to the Exchange Agent. If a fractional share
    results from such aggregation, then (in lieu of such fractional share) the
    Exchange Agent shall pay to each holder of shares of Company Common Stock
    who otherwise would be entitled to receive such fractional share of Parent
    Common Stock an amount of cash (without interest) determined by multiplying
    (i) the Parent Average Stock Price by (ii) the fractional share of Parent
    Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be entitled. Parent will
    make available to the Exchange Agent any cash necessary for this purpose.
 
        (g) In the event any Company Certificates shall have been lost, stolen,
    or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost,
    stolen, or destroyed Company Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit
    of that fact by the holder thereof, such shares of Parent Common Stock and
    cash for fractional shares, if any, as may be required pursuant to this
    Article 2; provided, however, that Parent may, in its discretion and as a
    condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
    stolen, or destroyed Company Certificate to deliver a bond in such sum as
    Parent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
    Parent or the Exchange Agent with respect to such Company Certificate
    alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
 
        (h) Each person entitled to receive shares of Parent Common Stock
    pursuant to this Article 2 shall receive together with such shares the
    number of Parent preferred share purchase rights (pursuant to the Rights
    Agreement dated as of June 27, 1991, between Parent and Norwest Bank
    Minnesota, N.A., the "Parent Rights Plan") per share of Parent Common Stock
    equal to the number of Parent preferred share purchase rights associated
    with one share of Parent Common Stock at the Effective Time.
 
    2.5  EXCHANGE OF MERGER SUBSIDIARY COMMON STOCK.  From and after the
Effective Time, each outstanding certificate previously representing shares of
Merger Subsidiary Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to evidence
ownership of and to represent the number of shares of Surviving Corporation
Common Stock into which such shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock shall have
been converted. Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall issue to Parent a stock
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
certificate or certificates representing such shares of Surviving Corporation
Common Stock in exchange for the certificate or certificates that formerly
represented shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock, which shall be cancelled.
 
    2.6  STOCK OPTIONS.
 
        (a) Except as provided below with respect to the Company's Employee
    Share Purchase Plan, each Company Option shall, by virtue of the Merger and
    without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be assumed by Parent
    in such manner that Parent (i) is a corporation "assuming a stock option in
    a transaction to which Section 424(a) applies" within the meaning of Section
    424 of the Code and the regulations thereunder or (ii) to the extent that
    Section 424 of the Code does not apply to any such Company Option, would be
    such a corporation were Section 424 of the Code applicable to such Company
    Option. From and after the Effective Time, all references to the Company in
    the Company Options shall be deemed to refer to Parent. The Company Options
    assumed by Parent shall be exercisable upon the same terms and conditions as
    under the Company Options except that (i) such Company Options shall entitle
    the holder to purchase from Parent the number of shares of Parent Common
    Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole number of such shares) that equals
    the product of the Conversion Fraction multiplied by the number of shares of
    Company Common Stock subject to such option immediately prior to the
    Effective Time, and (ii) the option exercise price per share of Parent
    Common Stock shall be an amount (rounded up to the nearest full cent) equal
    to the option exercise price per share of Company Common Stock in effect
    immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by the Conversion Fraction.
    As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall issue to
    each holder of a Company Option a written instrument informing such holder
    of the assumption by Parent of such Company Option.
 
        (b) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the current Plan Period
    under the Company's Employee Share Purchase Plan shall be ended, and each
    participant shall be deemed to have purchased immediately prior to the
    Effective Time, to the extent of payroll deductions accumulated by such
    participant as of such Plan Period end, the number of whole shares of
    Company Common Stock at a per share price determined pursuant to the
    provisions of the Company's Employee Share Purchase Plan, and each
    participant shall receive a cash payment equal to the balance, if any, of
    such accumulated payroll deductions remaining after such purchase of such
    shares. As of the Effective Time, each participant shall receive by virtue
    of the Merger, for each share of Company Common Stock such participant has
    so purchased under the Employee Share Purchase Plan, a fraction of a share
    of Parent Common Stock equal to the Conversion Fraction. The Company's
    Employee Share Purchase Plan and all purchase rights thereunder shall
    terminate effective as of the Effective Time.
 
    2.7  CAPITALIZATION CHANGES.  If, between the date of the Merger Agreement
and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock shall have
been changed into a different number of shares or a different class by reason of
any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of
shares, or stock dividend, the Conversion Fraction and all per-share price
amounts and calculations set forth in the Merger Agreement shall be
appropriately adjusted.
 
                                   ARTICLE 3
                   ORGANIZATION OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
 
    3.1  ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The Articles
of Incorporation of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be amended so as to be restated in their entity to read as set forth
on SCHEDULE A-1 attached to this Plan of Merger.
 
    3.2  BYLAWS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The Bylaws of Merger Subsidiary,
as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable
law.
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
    3.3  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The directors and
officers of Merger Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
the directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation until
their respective successors shall be duly elected and qualified.
 
                                   ARTICLE 4
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
    4.1  CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE MERGER.  As of the Effective Time, the Company,
as the Surviving Corporation, shall succeed to and possess all the rights,
privileges, powers, immunities, franchises, concessions, certificates and
authority, of a public as well as a private nature, of each of the Constituent
Corporations; and all property, real, personal and mixed, and every interest
therein, and all other choses in action of or belonging to either of the
Constituent Corporations on whatever account shall be vested in the Company as
the Surviving Corporation, without any further act or deed; and all property,
assets, rights, privileges, powers, immunities, franchises, concessions,
certificates and authority shall be thereafter as effectively the property of
the Company, as the Surviving Corporation, as they were or would be of the
Constituent Corporations or either of them; and title to any real estate or any
interest therein vested by deed or otherwise in either of the Constituent
Corporations shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger.
 
    4.2  RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The Company, as the
Surviving Corporation, shall be responsible and liable for all the debts,
liabilities, duties and obligations of each of the Constituent Corporations, and
as of the Effective Time all such debts, liabilities, duties and obligations
shall attach to the Company, as the Surviving Corporation, and may be enforced
against it to the same extent as if such debts, liabilities, duties and
obligations had been originally incurred or contracted by it; and any claim
existing or action or proceeding pending by or against either of the Constituent
Corporations may be prosecuted to judgment as if the merger had not taken place;
or the Company, as the Surviving Corporation, may be substituted in its place;
and neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon property of either of the
Constituent Corporations shall be impaired by the merger.
 
    4.3  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  If at any time after the Effective Time the
Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any instruments of
further assurance are desirable in order to evidence the vesting in it of the
title of either of the Constituent Corporations to any of the property rights of
the Constituent Corporations, the appropriate officers or directors of Merger
Subsidiary and the Company are hereby authorized to execute, acknowledge, and
deliver all such instruments of further assurance and to do all acts or things,
either in the name of Merger Subsidiary or the Company, as may be requisite or
desirable to carry out the provisions hereof.
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
                                                                    SCHEDULE A-1
 
                       RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                ARTICLE 1--NAME
 
    1.1)  The name of the corporation shall be Medtronic Physio-Control, Inc.
 
                     ARTICLE 2--REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
 
    2.1)  The registered office of the corporation in the State of Washington is
520 Pike Street, Seattle, Washington 98101. The name of its registered agent at
such address is C T Corporation System.
 
                                ARTICLE 3--STOCK
 
    3.1)  AUTHORIZED SHARES.  The aggregate number of shares the corporation has
authority to issue shall be 2,500 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value.
Holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of Common
Stock held of record.
 
    3.2)  ISSUANCE OF SHARES TO HOLDERS OF ANOTHER CLASS OR SERIES.  The Board
of Directors is authorized to issue shares of the corporation of one class or
series to holders of that class or series or to holders of another class or
series to effectuate share dividends or splits.
 
                       ARTICLE 4--RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
    4.1)  NO PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS.  No holder of any class of stock of the
corporation shall be entitled to subscribe for or purchase such holder's
proportionate share of stock of any class of the corporation now or hereafter
authorized or issued.
 
    4.2)  NO CUMULATIVE VOTING RIGHTS.  No shareholder shall be entitled to
cumulate votes for the election of directors and there shall be no cumulative
voting for any purpose whatsoever.
 
    4.3)  VOTING AGREEMENTS.  A written agreement among shareholders or
subscribers for shares to be issued, relating to the voting of their shares, is
valid and specifically enforceable by and against the parties to the agreement
under Section 23B.07.310 of the Act.
 
                              ARTICLE 5--DIRECTORS
 
    5.1)  The number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in the
manner specified by the Bylaws of the corporation.
 
                  ARTICLE 6--LIMITATION OF DIRECTOR LIABILITY
 
    6.1)  LIMITATION.  To the fullest extent permitted by the Act as it now
exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only
to the extent that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader
limitation of liability than permitted prior thereto), and except as otherwise
provided in the corporation's Bylaws, no director of the corporation shall be
personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages
for conduct as a director, except for:
 
        (a) Acts or omissions involving intentional misconduct by the director
    or a knowing violation of law by the director;
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
        (b) Conduct violating Section 23B.08.310 of the Act (which involves
    certain distributions by the corporation);
 
        (c) Any transaction from which the director will personally receive a
    benefit in money, property, or services to which the director is not legally
    entitled.
 
    6.2)  RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS.  Any repeal or modification of the foregoing
paragraph by the shareholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any
right or protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of
such repeal or modification.
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
   
                                   APPENDIX B
    
 
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                                  BY AND AMONG
                                MEDTRONIC, INC.,
                                PC MERGER CORP.,
                                      AND
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                   JUNE 27, 1998
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                            <C>
ARTICLE 1 THE MERGER; CONVERSION OF SHARES..............................................        B-5
      1.1  The Merger...................................................................        B-5
      1.2  Effective Time...............................................................        B-5
      1.3  Conversion of Shares.........................................................        B-5
      1.4  Dissenting Shares............................................................        B-6
      1.5  Exchange of Company Common Stock.............................................        B-7
      1.6  Exchange of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock...................................        B-8
      1.7  Stock Options................................................................        B-8
      1.8  Capitalization Changes.......................................................        B-9
      1.9  Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.......................        B-9
     1.10  Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation..........................................        B-9
     1.11  Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation..........................        B-9
 
ARTICLE 2 CLOSING.....................................................................         B-10
 
  2.1      Time and Place...............................................................       B-10
  2.2      Filings at the Closing.......................................................       B-10
 
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.................................       B-10
 
  3.1      Organization.................................................................       B-10
  3.2      Authorization................................................................       B-10
  3.3      Capitalization...............................................................       B-11
  3.4      Reports and Financial Statements.............................................       B-12
  3.5      Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities...........................................       B-12
  3.6      Consents and Approvals.......................................................       B-12
  3.7      Compliance with Laws.........................................................       B-13
  3.8      Litigation...................................................................       B-13
  3.9      Absence of Material Adverse Changes..........................................       B-13
  3.10     Environmental Laws and Regulations...........................................       B-14
  3.11     Officers, Directors and Employees............................................       B-15
  3.12     Taxes........................................................................       B-15
  3.13     Contracts....................................................................       B-16
  3.14     Title to Properties; Liens...................................................       B-17
  3.15     Permits, Licenses, Etc.......................................................       B-17
  3.16     Intellectual Property Rights.................................................       B-17
  3.17     Benefit Plans................................................................       B-18
  3.18     Minute Books.................................................................       B-19
  3.19     Insurance Policies...........................................................       B-19
  3.20     Bank Accounts................................................................       B-19
  3.21     Powers of Attorney...........................................................       B-20
  3.22     Product Liability Claims.....................................................       B-20
  3.23     Warranties...................................................................       B-20
  3.24     Inventories..................................................................       B-20
  3.25     Relations with Suppliers and Customers.......................................       B-20
  3.26     No Finders...................................................................       B-21
  3.27     Proxy Statement..............................................................       B-21
  3.28     Merger Filings...............................................................       B-21
  3.29     Fairness Opinion.............................................................       B-21
  3.30     State Takeover Laws..........................................................       B-21
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                            <C>
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUBSIDIARY................
                                                                                               B-21
 
  4.1      Organization.................................................................       B-21
  4.2      Authorization................................................................       B-22
  4.3      Capitalization...............................................................       B-22
  4.4      Consents and Approvals.......................................................       B-22
  4.5      Reports; Financial Statements; Absence of Changes; Litigation................       B-23
  4.6      Registration Statement.......................................................       B-23
  4.7      Merger Filings...............................................................       B-23
  4.8      No Finders...................................................................       B-23
 
ARTICLE 5 COVENANTS.....................................................................       B-24
 
  5.1      Conduct of Business of the Company...........................................       B-24
  5.2      No Solicitation..............................................................       B-26
  5.3      Access and Information.......................................................       B-26
  5.4      Approval of Shareholders; Proxy Statement; Registration Statement............       B-27
  5.5      Consents.....................................................................       B-28
  5.6      Affiliates' Letters..........................................................       B-28
  5.7      Expenses.....................................................................       B-28
  5.8      Reasonable Efforts; Further Actions..........................................       B-28
  5.9      Regulatory Approvals.........................................................       B-29
  5.10     Certain Notifications........................................................       B-29
  5.11     Voting of Shares.............................................................       B-29
  5.12     Noncompetition Agreements....................................................       B-29
  5.13     NYSE Listing Application.....................................................       B-29
  5.14     Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance...................................       B-29
  5.15     Letters of the Company's and Parent's Accountants............................       B-30
  5.16     Subsidiary Shares............................................................       B-30
  5.17     Stock Option Agreement.......................................................       B-30
  5.18     Conduct of Business by Parent................................................       B-30
  5.19     Benefit Plans and Employee Matters...........................................       B-31
  5.20     Delivery of Specified Documents..............................................       B-31
 
ARTICLE 6 CLOSING CONDITIONS............................................................       B-32
 
  6.1      Conditions to Obligations of Parent, Merger Subsidiary, and the Company......       B-32
  6.2      Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Subsidiary....................       B-32
  6.3      Conditions to Obligations of the Company.....................................       B-33
 
ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT...................................................       B-34
 
  7.1      Termination..................................................................       B-34
  7.2      Effect of Termination........................................................       B-35
 
ARTICLE 8 MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................       B-36
 
  8.1      Amendment and Modification...................................................       B-36
  8.2      Waiver of Compliance; Consents...............................................       B-36
  8.3      Investigation; Survival of Representations and Warranties....................       B-36
  8.4      Notices......................................................................       B-36
  8.5      Assignment...................................................................       B-37
  8.6      Governing Law................................................................       B-37
  8.7      Counterparts.................................................................       B-37
  8.8      Knowledge....................................................................       B-37
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>                                                                            <C>
  8.9      Interpretation...............................................................       B-37
  8.10     Publicity....................................................................       B-37
  8.11     Entire Agreement.............................................................       B-38
</TABLE>
 
EXHIBITS:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>           <C>
Exhibit A:    Form of Plan of Merger
Exhibit B:    Form of Affiliate's Letter
Exhibit C:    Form of Agreement to Facilitate Merger
Exhibit D:    Form of Noncompetition Agreement
Exhibit E:    Form of Stock Option Agreement
Exhibit F:    Form of Opinion of the Company's Counsel
Exhibit G:    Form of Opinion of Parent's Counsel
Exhibit H:    Form of Company's Certificate (regarding tax opinion representations)
Exhibit I:    Form of Parent's Certificate (regarding tax opinion representations)
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-4
<PAGE>
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
    THIS AGREEMENT is dated as of June 27, 1998, by and among MEDTRONIC, INC., a
Minnesota corporation ("Parent"), PC MERGER CORP., a Washington corporation and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Subsidiary"), and PHYSIO-CONTROL
INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, a Washington corporation (the "Company").
 
    WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Merger Subsidiary, and the
Company have approved the merger of Merger Subsidiary with and into the Company
(the "Merger") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
and
 
    WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger
shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) and
(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and
 
    WHEREAS, for accounting purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall be
recorded as a "pooling of interests" within the meaning of Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 16, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); and
 
    WHEREAS, as a condition to, and upon or immediately following the execution
of, this Agreement, Parent and the Company are entering into the Stock Option
Agreement described in Section 5.17 hereof; and
 
    WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain representations,
warranties, and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe
various conditions to the Merger;
 
    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
 
                                   ARTICLE 1
 
                        THE MERGER; CONVERSION OF SHARES
 
    1.1  THE MERGER.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at
the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2 hereof), Merger Subsidiary shall
be merged with and into the Company in accordance with the provisions of the
Washington Business Corporation Act (the "WBCA"), whereupon the separate
corporate existence of Merger Subsidiary shall cease, and the Company shall
continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation"). From and
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the
rights, privileges, powers, and franchises and be subject to all the
restrictions, disabilities, and duties of the Company and Merger Subsidiary, all
as more fully described in the WBCA.
 
    1.2  EFFECTIVE TIME.  As soon as practicable after each of the conditions
set forth in Article 6 has been satisfied or waived, the Company and Merger
Subsidiary will file, or cause to be filed, with the Secretary of State of the
State of Washington Articles of Merger for the Merger, which Articles shall be
in the form required by and executed in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the WBCA and shall include as a part thereof a plan of merger (the
"Plan of Merger") substantially in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A. The
Merger shall become effective at the time such filing is made or, if agreed to
by Parent and the Company, such later time or date set forth in the Articles of
Merger (the "Effective Time").
 
    1.3  CONVERSION OF SHARES.  At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of any holder of any share of capital stock
of the Company or Merger Subsidiary:
 
        (a) Each share of common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share
    ("Company Common Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior thereto
    (except for Dissenting Shares, as defined in Section 1.4 hereof, and except
    for shares referred to in Section 1.3(b) hereof) shall be converted into the
    right to receive the fraction of a share (subject to adjustment as provided
    below, the "Conversion
 
                                      B-5
<PAGE>
    Fraction") of common stock of Parent, par value $.10 per share ("Parent
    Common Stock"), equal to $27.50 divided by the Parent Average Stock Price.
    The "Parent Average Stock Price" shall mean the average (rounded to the
    nearest full cent, with the cents rounded up if the third decimal place is 5
    or more) of the daily closing sale prices of a share of Parent Common Stock
    as reported on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") Composite Tape, as
    reported in The Wall Street Journal, for the 19 consecutive NYSE trading
    days ending on and including the first NYSE trading day immediately
    preceding the Effective Time.
 
        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the sum of the number of shares of
    Company Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
    plus the number of shares subject to then outstanding options, warrants, or
    other rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock (collectively,
    "Company Stock Acquisition Rights") is greater than 20,693,456 shares plus
    that number of shares issuable under the Company's Employee Share Purchase
    Plan and Team Savings Plan or if the aggregate exercise price of all such
    Company Stock Acquisition Rights then outstanding is less than the aggregate
    exercise price reflected in Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
    then the $27.50 amount per share of Company Common Stock, as described
    above, shall be reduced to an amount equal to (i) [$27.50 times 20,693,456
    shares plus that number of shares issuable under the Company's Employee
    Share Purchase Plan and Team Savings Plan] minus the aggregate exercise
    price reflected in Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule plus the
    aggregate amount received by the Company as a result of any issuance of
    Company Common Stock after the date of this Agreement and prior to the
    Effective Time plus the aggregate exercise price of all Company Stock
    Acquisition Rights outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
    divided by (ii) the sum of (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock
    outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time plus (B) the number of
    shares subject to Company Stock Acquisition Rights then outstanding.
 
        An appropriate adjustment shall similarly be made in the event that,
    prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock,
    without new consideration, are changed into or exchanged for a different
    kind of shares or securities through a reorganization, reclassification,
    stock dividend, stock combination, or other like change in the Company's
    capitalization. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this section shall
    be deemed to constitute authorization or permission for or consent from
    Parent or Merger Subsidiary to any increase in the number of shares of
    Company Common Stock outstanding or subject to outstanding Company Stock
    Acquisition Rights, to any decrease in the exercise price of such Rights, or
    to any reorganization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock combination,
    or other like change in capitalization.
 
        (b) Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
    immediately prior to the Effective Time that is held in the treasury of the
    Company or is then owned beneficially or of record by Parent, Merger
    Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent or the Company
    shall be cancelled without payment of any consideration therefor and without
    any conversion thereof.
 
        (c) Each share of any other class of capital stock of the Company (other
    than Company Common Stock) shall be cancelled without payment of any
    consideration therefor and without any conversion thereof.
 
        (d) Each share of common stock of Merger Subsidiary, par value $.01 per
    share ("Merger Subsidiary Common Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately
    prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into one share of the common
    stock of the Surviving Corporation, par value $.01 per share ("Surviving
    Corporation Common Stock").
 
    1.4  DISSENTING SHARES.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, each outstanding share of Company Common Stock, the holder of
which has demanded and perfected such holder's right to dissent from the Merger
and to be paid the fair value of such shares in accordance with Sections
23B.13.020 ET SEQ. of the WBCA and, as of the Effective Time, has not
effectively withdrawn or lost such dissenters' rights ("Dissenting Shares"),
shall not be converted into or represent a right to receive
 
                                      B-6
<PAGE>
the Parent Common Stock into which shares of Company Common Stock are converted
pursuant to Section 1.3 hereof, but the holder thereof shall be entitled only to
such rights as are granted by the WBCA. The Company shall give Parent (i) prompt
written notice of any notice of intent to demand fair value for any shares of
Company Common Stock, withdrawals of such notices, and any other instruments
served pursuant to the WBCA or any other provisions of Washington law and
received by the Company, and (ii) the opportunity to conduct jointly all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for fair value for shares
of Company Common Stock under the WBCA. The Company shall not, except with the
prior written consent of Parent, voluntarily make any payment with respect to
any demands for fair value for shares of Company Common Stock or offer to settle
or settle any such demands.
 
    1.5  EXCHANGE OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK.
 
        (a) Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause Parent's stock
    transfer agent or such other person as Parent may appoint to act as exchange
    agent (the "Exchange Agent") to mail to each holder of record (other than
    Parent, Merger Subsidiary, the Company, or any subsidiary of Parent or the
    Company) of a certificate or certificates that immediately prior to the
    Effective Time represented outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
    ("Company Certificates") a form letter of transmittal (which shall specify
    that delivery shall be effective, and risk of loss and title to the Company
    Certificate(s) shall pass, only upon delivery of the Company Certificate(s)
    to the Exchange Agent) and instructions for such holder's use in effecting
    the surrender of the Company Certificates in exchange for certificates
    representing shares of Parent Common Stock.
 
        (b) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent
    shall distribute to holders of shares of Company Common Stock, upon
    surrender to the Exchange Agent of one or more Company Certificates for
    cancellation, together with a duly-executed letter of transmittal, (i) one
    or more Parent certificates representing the number of whole shares of
    Parent Common Stock into which the shares represented by the Company
    Certificate(s) shall have been converted pursuant to Section 1.3(a), and
    (ii) a bank check in the amount of cash into which the shares represented by
    the Company Certificate(s) shall have been converted pursuant to Section
    1.5(f) (relating to fractional shares), and the Company Certificate(s) so
    surrendered shall be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of
    Company Common Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of the
    Company, it shall be a condition to the issuance of shares of Parent Common
    Stock that the Company Certificate(s) so surrendered shall be properly
    endorsed or be otherwise in proper form for transfer and that such
    transferee shall (i) pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes
    required or (ii) establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that
    such tax has been paid or is not payable.
 
        (c) Holders of Company Common Stock will be entitled to any dividends or
    other distributions pertaining to the Parent Common Stock received in
    exchange therefor that become payable to persons who are holders of record
    of Parent Common Stock as of a record date that follows the Effective Time,
    but only after they have surrendered their Company Certificates for
    exchange. Subject to the effect, if any, of applicable law, the Exchange
    Agent shall receive, hold, and remit any such dividends or other
    distributions to each such record holder entitled thereto, without interest,
    at the time that such Company Certificates are surrendered to the Exchange
    Agent for exchange. Holders of Company Common Stock will not be entitled,
    however, to dividends or other distributions that become payable before or
    after the Effective Time to persons who were holders of record of Parent
    Common Stock as of a record date that is prior to the Effective Time.
 
        (d) All shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon the surrender for
    exchange of Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof
    (including any cash paid for fractional shares pursuant to Section 1.5(f)
    hereof) shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all
    rights pertaining to such shares of Company Common Stock.
 
        (e) After the Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of
    transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the
    shares of Company Common Stock that were
 
                                      B-7
<PAGE>
    outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective
    Time, Company Certificates representing such shares are presented to the
    Surviving Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in
    this Article 1. As of the Effective Time, the holders of Company
    Certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock shall cease to have
    any rights as shareholders of the Company, except such rights, if any, as
    they may have pursuant to the WBCA. Except as provided above, until such
    Company Certificates are surrendered for exchange, each such Company
    Certificate shall, after the Effective Time, represent for all purposes only
    the right to receive the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock into
    which the shares of Company Common Stock shall have been converted pursuant
    to the Merger as provided in Section 1.3(a) hereof and the right to receive
    the cash value of any fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock as provided
    in Section 1.5(f) hereof.
 
        (f) No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock and no certificates or
    scrip therefor, or other evidence of ownership thereof, shall be issued upon
    the surrender for exchange of Company Certificates, no dividend or other
    distribution of Parent shall relate to any fractional share, and such
    fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to
    any rights of a shareholder of Parent. All fractional shares of Parent
    Common Stock to which a holder of Company Common Stock immediately prior to
    the Effective Time would otherwise be entitled, at the Effective Time, shall
    be aggregated if and to the extent multiple Company Certificates of such
    holder are submitted together to the Exchange Agent. If a fractional share
    results from such aggregation, then (in lieu of such fractional share) the
    Exchange Agent shall pay to each holder of shares of Company Common Stock
    who otherwise would be entitled to receive such fractional share of Parent
    Common Stock an amount of cash (without interest) determined by multiplying
    (i) the Parent Average Stock Price by (ii) the fractional share of Parent
    Common Stock to which such holder would otherwise be entitled. Parent will
    make available to the Exchange Agent any cash necessary for this purpose.
 
        (g) In the event any Company Certificates shall have been lost, stolen,
    or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost,
    stolen, or destroyed Company Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit
    of that fact by the holder thereof, such shares of Parent Common Stock and
    cash for fractional shares, if any, as may be required pursuant to this
    Article 1; provided, however, that Parent may, in its discretion and as a
    condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
    stolen, or destroyed Company Certificate to deliver a bond in such sum as
    Parent may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
    Parent or the Exchange Agent with respect to such Company Certificate
    alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
 
        (h) Each person entitled to receive shares of Parent Common Stock
    pursuant to this Article 1 shall receive together with such shares the
    number of Parent preferred share purchase rights (pursuant to the Rights
    Agreement dated as of June 27, 1991, between Parent and Norwest Bank
    Minnesota, N.A., the "Parent Rights Plan") per share of Parent Common Stock
    equal to the number of Parent preferred share purchase rights associated
    with one share of Parent Common Stock at the Effective Time.
 
    1.6  EXCHANGE OF MERGER SUBSIDIARY COMMON STOCK.  From and after the
Effective Time, each outstanding certificate previously representing shares of
Merger Subsidiary Common Stock shall be deemed for all purposes to evidence
ownership of and to represent the number of shares of Surviving Corporation
Common Stock into which such shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock shall have
been converted. Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall issue to Parent a stock certificate or certificates representing such
shares of Surviving Corporation Common Stock in exchange for the certificate or
certificates that formerly represented shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock,
which shall be cancelled.
 
    1.7  STOCK OPTIONS.
 
        (a) Except as provided below with respect to the Company's Employee
    Share Purchase Plan, each option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock
    that is outstanding at the Effective Time
 
                                      B-8
<PAGE>
    (a "Company Option") shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
    on the part of the holder thereof, be assumed by Parent in such manner that
    Parent (i) is a corporation "assuming a stock option in a transaction to
    which Section 424(a) applies" within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code
    and the regulations thereunder or (ii) to the extent that Section 424 of the
    Code does not apply to any such Company Option, would be such a corporation
    were Section 424 of the Code applicable to such Company Option. From and
    after the Effective Time, all references to the Company in the Company
    Options shall be deemed to refer to Parent. The Company Options assumed by
    Parent shall be exercisable upon the same terms and conditions as under the
    Company Options except that (i) such Company Options shall entitle the
    holder to purchase from Parent the number of shares of Parent Common Stock
    (rounded down to the nearest whole number of such shares) that equals the
    product of the Conversion Fraction multiplied by the number of shares of
    Company Common Stock subject to such option immediately prior to the
    Effective Time, and (ii) the option exercise price per share of Parent
    Common Stock shall be an amount (rounded up to the nearest full cent) equal
    to the option exercise price per share of Company Common Stock in effect
    immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by the Conversion Fraction.
    As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, Parent shall issue to
    each holder of a Company Option a written instrument informing such holder
    of the assumption by Parent of such Company Option.
 
        (b) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the current Plan Period
    under the Company's Employee Share Purchase Plan shall be ended, and each
    participant shall be deemed to have purchased immediately prior to the
    Effective Time, to the extent of payroll deductions accumulated by such
    participant as of such Plan Period end, the number of whole shares of
    Company Common Stock at a per share price determined pursuant to the
    provisions of the Company's Employee Share Purchase Plan, and each
    participant shall receive a cash payment equal to the balance, if any, of
    such
    accumulated payroll deductions remaining after such purchase of such shares.
    As of the Effective Time, each participant shall receive by virtue of the
    Merger, for each share of Company Common Stock such participant has so
    purchased under the Employee Share Purchase Plan, a fraction of a share of
    Parent Common Stock equal to the Conversion Fraction. The Company's Employee
    Share Purchase Plan and all purchase rights thereunder shall terminate
    effective as of the Effective Time.
 
    1.8  CAPITALIZATION CHANGES.  If, between the date of this Agreement and the
Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock shall have been
changed into a different number of shares or a different class by reason of any
reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares,
or stock dividend, the Conversion Fraction and all per-share price amounts and
calculations set forth in this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted.
 
    1.9  ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The Articles
of Incorporation of Merger Subsidiary, as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law;
provided, however, that upon the Effective Time, Article 1 of the Articles of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended to read in its
entirety as follows: "The name of the corporation shall be Medtronic Physio-
Control, Inc."
 
    1.10  BYLAWS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The Bylaws of Merger Subsidiary,
as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable
law.
 
    1.11  DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.  The directors
and officers of Merger Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be the directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation until
their respective successors shall be duly elected and qualified.
 
                                      B-9
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE 2
                                    CLOSING
 
    2.1  TIME AND PLACE.  Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the
provisions of Article 6, the closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
place at 3:00 p.m., local time, on the day the Merger is approved by the
shareholders of the Company at the Company Shareholders Meeting (as defined in
Section 5.4 hereof), or as soon thereafter as all conditions to Closing have
been satisfied or waived, or on such other date and/or at such other time as
Parent and the Company may mutually agree. The date on which the Closing
actually occurs is herein referred to as the "Closing Date." The Closing shall
take place at the corporate headquarters offices of the Company, or at such
other place or in such other manner (E.G., by telecopy exchange of signature
pages with originals to follow by overnight delivery) as the parties hereto may
agree.
 
    2.2  FILINGS AT THE CLOSING.  At the Closing, subject to the provisions of
Article 6, Parent, Merger Subsidiary, and the Company shall cause Articles of
Merger to be filed in accordance with the provisions of Section 23B.11.050 of
the WBCA, and take any and all other lawful actions and do any and all other
lawful things necessary to cause the Merger to become effective.
 
                                   ARTICLE 3
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
 
    Except as set forth in a document of even date herewith, referring
specifically to the representations and warranties in this Agreement which
identifies by section number to which such disclosure relates (the "Company
Disclosure Schedule"), the Company hereby makes the following representations
and warranties to Parent and Merger Subsidiary:
 
    3.1  ORGANIZATION.  The Company and each subsidiary of the Company (referred
to herein as a "Subsidiary") is a corporation duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation and has
all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease, and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company and
each Subsidiary is duly qualified and in good standing to do business in each
jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased, or operated by it or the
nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary and
where the failure to qualify could reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). "Company Material Adverse Effect"
means an effect that, individually or in the aggregate with other effects, is or
would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse: (i) to the present or
specifically planned business, properties, liabilities, results of operation, or
financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole;
(ii) to the ability of Parent or the Surviving Corporation to conduct such
businesses, as presently conducted, following the Effective Time; or (iii) to
the Company's ability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or
to consummate the Merger. The jurisdictions in which the Company and each
Subsidiary are qualified are listed on the Company Disclosure Schedule. The
Company has heretofore delivered to Parent complete and accurate copies of the
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company and each Subsidiary, as
currently in effect. Except to the extent specifically disclosed on the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, owns or controls or has any capital, equity, partnership,
participation, or other ownership interest in any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, or other business association or entity.
 
    3.2  AUTHORIZATION.  The Company has full corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the necessary
approval of its shareholders, to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby, and to file and distribute the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined in
Section 5.4 hereof). The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly authorized and approved by the
 
                                      B-10
<PAGE>
Company's Board of Directors, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the
Company or any Subsidiary are necessary to recommend and submit this Agreement
to the Company's shareholders, and, subject to obtaining the approval of the
Company's shareholders, no other corporate action on the part of the Company or
any Subsidiary is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company
and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, and the relief of debtors and
rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief, or other
equitable remedies. To the Company's knowledge, each Agreement to Facilitate
Merger and Affiliate's Letter (as described in Sections 5.11 and 5.6) has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company shareholder who is a
party thereto and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of such
shareholder, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to laws of
general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, and the relief of
debtors and rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief, or
other equitable remedies.
 
    3.3  CAPITALIZATION.  As of June 24, 1998, the authorized capital stock of
the Company consists of (i) 40,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, par value
$.01 per share, of which 17,722,021 shares are issued and outstanding and no
shares are held in the Company's treasury, and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of Company
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, none of which are issued or
outstanding. Except as set forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule, all issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are owned,
beneficially and of record, by the Company, free and clear of any Liens (as
defined in Section 3.14). All issued and outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and have not
been issued in violation of and are not currently subject to any preemptive
rights. Except for options to purchase an aggregate 2,971,435 shares of Company
Common Stock granted pursuant to the Company 1994 Stock Purchase and Option Plan
and the 1997 Stock and Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Company Option Plans")
listed, together with their respective exercise prices, in Section 3.3 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, and except for the rights to purchase under the
Company's Team Savings Plan shares of Company Common Stock (estimated to be the
number of shares equal to approximately $105,000 of matching contributions per
quarter divided by the trading price of the Company Common Stock at the end of
any such quarter, based on the current match rates, as listed in Section 3.3 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule) and except for the rights to purchase under the
Company's Employee Share Purchase Plan shares of Company Common Stock (estimated
to be approximately 50,000 shares, at a per share price of $13.4938, based on
the current contribution rates of the participants, as listed in Section 3.3 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, and assuming the current Plan Period is ended
at the Effective Time (which is assumed to be not later than September 30, 1998
for this purpose)), there are not any outstanding or authorized subscriptions,
options, warrants, calls, rights, convertible securities, commitments,
restrictions, arrangements, or any other agreements of any character to which
the Company or any Subsidiary is a party that, directly or indirectly, (i)
obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue any shares of capital stock or
any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, or
evidencing the right to subscribe for, any shares of capital stock, (ii) call
for or relate to the sale, pledge, transfer, or other disposition or encumbrance
by the Company or any Subsidiary of any shares of its capital stock, or (iii) to
the knowledge of the Company, relate to the voting or control of such capital
stock. The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list
of all stock options, warrants, and other rights to acquire Company Common
Stock, including the name of the holder, the date of grant, acquisition price,
expiration date, number of shares, exercisability schedule, and, in the case of
options, the type of option under the Code. The Company Disclosure Schedule also
sets forth the restrictions to which any shares of Company Common Stock issued
pursuant to the Company Option Plans or otherwise are currently subject and also
sets forth the restrictions to which such shares will be subject immediately
after the Effective Time. No consent of holders or participants under the
Company Option Plans or Employee Share Purchase Plan is required to carry out
the provisions of Section 1.7. All actions, if any, required on the part of the
Company under the Company Option Plans or Employee Share Purchase Plan to allow
for the treatment of Company Options and the Employee Share Purchase Plan as is
provided
 
                                      B-11
<PAGE>
in Section 1.7, has been, or prior to the Closing will be, validly taken by the
Company, and the Company will not from and after the date hereof allow any
increase in the rate of a participant's contributions to the Employee Share
Purchase Plan or any enrollments or re-enrollments in such Plan.
 
    3.4  REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Company has filed all forms,
reports, registration statements, and documents required to be filed by it with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") since January 1, 1996 (such
forms, reports, registration statements, and documents, together with any
amendments thereto, are referred to as the "Company SEC Filings"). As of their
respective dates, the Company SEC Filings (i) complied as to form in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933
and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "1933 Act") and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "1934 Act"),
as the case may be, and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The audited financial statements and unaudited
interim financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
Company SEC Filings, including but not limited to the Company's audited
financial statements at and for the year ended December 31, 1997 (the "Company
1997 Financials"), (i) were prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto), (ii) complied as
of their respective dates in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto, and (iii) fairly present the consolidated financial position of the
Company as of the dates thereof and the income, cash flows, and changes in
shareholders' equity for the periods involved. The statements of earnings
included in the audited or unaudited interim financial statements in the Company
SEC Filings do not contain any items of special or nonrecurring income or any
other income not earned in the ordinary course of business, except as expressly
specified in the applicable statement of operations or notes thereto. Prior to
the date hereof, the Company has delivered to Parent complete and accurate
copies of all Company SEC Filings since January 1, 1995. The Company has filed
in a timely manner all reports required to be filed by it pursuant to Sections
13, 14, or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
 
    3.5  ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except to the extent specifically
disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether absolute,
accrued, contingent, or otherwise) except (a) liabilities or obligations
required by generally accepted accounting principles to be recognized or
disclosed on a consolidated balance sheet of Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries or in the notes thereto that are accrued or reserved against in the
audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 1997
contained in the Company 1997 Financials (the "Company Audited Balance Sheet")
or in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of March 31,
1998 contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal
quarter ended March 31, 1998 (the "Company Interim Balance Sheet"), and (b)
liabilities or obligations arising since March 31, 1998 in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practice that would not have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
 
    3.6  CONSENTS AND APPROVALS.  Except for (i) any applicable requirements of
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, state securities laws, the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and the regulations thereunder (the "HSR
Act"), and the antitrust, competition, foreign investment, or similar laws of
any foreign countries or supranational commissions or boards that require
pre-merger notifications or filings with respect to the Merger (collectively,
"Foreign Merger Laws"), (ii) approval by the Company's shareholders, (iii) the
filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the WBCA,
(iv) compliance with Chapter 13 of the WBCA regarding dissenters' rights, and
(v) any items disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company, and, to the Company's knowledge, the
execution and delivery of the Agreements to Facilitate Merger, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not: (a)
violate any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company
or any Subsidiary; (b) violate any statute, rule,
 
                                      B-12
<PAGE>
regulation, order, or decree of any federal, state, local, or foreign body or
authority (including, but not limited to, the Food and Drug Administration (the
"FDA") or any nongovernmental self-regulatory agency) by which the Company or
any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound; (c)
require any filing with or permit, consent, or approval of any federal, state,
local, or foreign public body or authority (including, but not limited to, the
FDA or any nongovernmental self-regulatory agency); or (d) result in any
violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of
time or both) a default under, result in the loss of any material benefit under,
or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, increased payments, or
acceleration under, or result in the creation of any Lien (as defined in Section
3.14) on any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary under,
any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, license, franchise, permit, authorization, agreement, or other
instrument or obligation to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party, or
by which it or any of its properties or assets may be bound, except, in the case
of clause (d), for any such violations, breaches, defaults, or other occurrences
that would not prevent or delay consummation of any of the transactions
contemplated hereby in any material respect, or otherwise prevent the Company
from performing its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect,
and would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
    3.7  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  Except to the extent specifically described on
the Company Disclosure Schedule, all activities of the Company and each
Subsidiary have been, and are currently being, conducted in compliance with all
applicable federal, state, local, and foreign laws, ordinances, regulations,
interpretations, judgments, decrees, injunctions, permits, licenses,
certificates, governmental requirements, orders, and other similar items of any
court or other governmental entity (including, but not limited to, those of the
FDA or any nongovernmental self-regulatory agency), the failure to comply with
which could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
The Company and each Subsidiary has timely filed or otherwise provided all
registrations, reports, data, and other information and applications with
respect to its medical device, pharmaceutical, consumer, health care, and other
governmentally regulated products (the "Regulated Products") required to be
filed with or otherwise provided to the FDA or any other federal, state, local,
or foreign governmental authorities with jurisdiction over the manufacture, use,
or sale of the Regulated Products, and all regulatory licenses or approvals in
respect thereof are in full force and effect, except where the failure to file
timely such registrations, reports, data, information, and applications or the
failure to have such licenses and approvals in full force and effect would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
    3.8  LITIGATION.  Except to the extent specifically disclosed on the Company
Disclosure Schedule, to the Company's knowledge, no investigation or review by
any federal, state, local, or foreign body or authority (including, but not
limited to, the FDA or any nongovernmental self-regulatory agency) with respect
to the Company or any Subsidiary is pending or threatened, nor has any such body
or authority (including, but not limited to, the FDA or any nongovernmental
self-regulatory agency) indicated to the Company or any Subsidiary an intention
to conduct the same. Except to the extent specifically disclosed on the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there are no claims, actions, suits, or proceedings by any
private party that could reasonably be expected to involve individually an
amount in excess of $50,000 or collectively an aggregate amount in excess of
$200,000, or by any governmental body or authority (including, but not limited
to, the FDA or any nongovernmental self-regulatory agency), against or affecting
the Company or any Subsidiary, pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened at law or in equity, or before any federal, state, local, foreign, or
other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or
instrumentality (including, but not limited to, the FDA or any nongovernmental
self-regulatory agency), and, to the knowledge of the Company, there is no basis
for any such investigation, review, claim, action, suit, or proceeding that
could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
    3.9  ABSENCE OF MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGES.  Except to the extent specifically
disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 1997 there has
not been any (a) change or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (b) action by the Company
 
                                      B-13
<PAGE>
or any Subsidiary that, if taken on or after the date of this Agreement, would
require the consent or approval of Parent pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, except
for actions as to which consent or approval has been given as provided therein;
(c) damage, destruction, or loss, whether or not covered by insurance, that
could reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; (d)
change by the Company or any Subsidiary in accounting methods or principles used
for financial reporting purposes, except as required by a change in generally
accepted accounting principles and concurred with by the Company's independent
public accountants; or (e) agreement, whether in writing or otherwise, to take
any action described or referenced in this Section 3.9.
 
    3.10  ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.  The Company Disclosure Schedule
completely and accurately sets forth the following: (a) a list of all
above-ground storage tanks or underground storage tanks for Hazardous Materials
(as defined below) on the Company's principal facility located at 11811 Willows
Road N.E., Redmond, WA 98052 (the "Principal Facility"); (b) the identity of any
Hazardous Materials (as defined below) used, generated, transported or disposed
of by the Company or any Subsidiary now or at any time in the past, together
with a brief description and location of each activity using such Hazardous
Materials (with respect to sites other than Redmond, only to the extent of
material Hazardous Materials); (c) a summary of the identity of, to the
Company's knowledge, any Hazardous Materials that have been disposed of or found
on, above or below the Principal Facility; and (d) a list of all reports,
studies, and tests in the possession of the Company or any Subsidiary or
initiated by the Company or any Subsidiary pertaining to the existence of
Hazardous Materials on, above, or below real property now or at any time owned,
leased or occupied by the Company or any Subsidiary (such real property referred
to in this Section as the "Real Property") or any property adjoining or which
could reasonably be expected to affect the Real Property, or concerning
compliance with or liability under the Regulations (as defined below). The
Company has heretofore delivered to Parent complete and accurate copies of such
reports, studies, and tests.
 
    The Company and each Subsidiary have obtained, and maintained in full force
and effect, all required environmental permits and other governmental approvals
and are in compliance with all applicable Regulations (as defined below), except
where the failure to so obtain and maintain or to be in compliance would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
(i) has received a written notice or Claim (as defined below) alleging potential
liability under any of the Regulations or alleging a violation of the
Regulations or (ii) has any knowledge that such a notice or Claim may be issued
in the future. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any knowledge of any
notices to or Claims against any persons, or reasonable basis therefor, alleging
potential liability under any of the Regulations with respect to the Real
Property or any adjoining properties or which could reasonably be expected to
affect the Real Property. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary (i) has been or
is presently subject to or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened with any
administrative or judicial proceeding pursuant to the Regulations, or (ii) has
any information that it may be subject to or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened with such a proceeding in the future. Neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has knowledge of any conditions or circumstances that could
reasonably be expected to result in the determination of liability against the
Company or any Subsidiary relating to environmental matters that would have a
Company Material Adverse Effect, including, but not limited to, any Claim
arising from past or present environmental practices with respect to Hazardous
Materials, the Real Property, or any disposal sites. No Hazardous Materials have
been or are threatened to be discharged, emitted, or released into the air,
water, soil, or subsurface at or from the Real Property by the Company or, to
the Company's knowledge, by any other person.
 
    For purposes of this Section 3.10, the following terms shall have the
following meanings: (i) "Hazardous Materials" means asbestos, urea formaldehyde,
polychlorinated biphenyls, nuclear fuel or materials, chemical waste,
radioactive materials, explosives, known human carcinogens, petroleum products
or other substances or materials listed, identified, or designated as toxic or
hazardous or as a pollutant or contaminant in, or the use, release or disposal
of which is regulated by, the Regulations;
 
                                      B-14
<PAGE>
(ii) "Regulations" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act ("CERCLA") as amended by the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 ("SARA"), 42 U.S.C. Section Section 9601 ET SEQ.;
the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), 42 U.S.C.
Section Section 6901 ET SEQ.; the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. Section Section
1321 ET SEQ.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section Section 7401 ET SEQ., and any
other federal, state, county, local, foreign, or other governmental statute,
regulation, or ordinance, as now in existence, that relates to or deals with
employee safety and human health, pollution, health, or the environment
including, but not limited to, the use, generation, discharge, transportation,
disposal, recordkeeping, notification, and reporting of Hazardous Materials; and
(iii) "Claim" means any and all claims, demands, causes of actions, suits,
proceedings, administrative proceedings, losses, judgments, decrees, debts,
damages, liabilities, court costs, penalties, attorneys' fees, and any other
expenses incurred, assessed, sustained or alleged by or against the Company or
any Subsidiary.
 
    3.11  OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES.  Prior to the date hereof, the
Company has provided to Parent a list that completely and accurately sets forth
the name and current annual salary rate of each officer or employee of the
Company or any Subsidiary whose total remuneration for the last fiscal year was,
or for the current fiscal year has been set at, in excess of $50,000, together
with a summary of the bonuses, commissions, additional compensation, and other
like benefits, if any, paid or payable to such persons for the last fiscal year
and proposed for the current fiscal year. The Company Disclosure Schedule
completely and accurately sets forth the names of the officers (with all
positions and titles indicated) and directors of the Company and each
Subsidiary. No unfair labor practice complaint against the Company or any
Subsidiary is pending before the National Labor Relations Board, and there is no
labor strike, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against or involving the Company or any Subsidiary. No unionizing
efforts have, to the knowledge of the Company, been made by employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to
or subject to any collective bargaining agreement, and no collective bargaining
agreement is currently being negotiated by the Company or any Subsidiary. There
is no labor dispute pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
between the Company or any Subsidiary and its employees. During the 12-month
period preceding the date of this Agreement there has not been any material
increase in the rate of turnover of employees of the Company or any Subsidiary
over historical rates.
 
    3.12  TAXES.  The Company has previously furnished to Parent complete and
accurate copies of all federal income tax returns actually filed by the Company
for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and has made
available for review by Parent (or, with respect to those that are not available
at the Company's Principal Facility, will make available for review by Parent
within 15 days after execution of this Agreement) complete and accurate copies
of all other tax or assessment reports and tax returns (including any applicable
information returns) required by any law or regulation (whether United States,
foreign, state, local or other jurisdiction) and filed by the Company for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 or 1997, and of all such returns
filed separately by any Subsidiary for fiscal years ended during or after 1995.
The Company and each Subsidiary has filed, or has obtained extensions to file
(which extensions have not expired without filing), all state, local, United
States, foreign, or other tax reports and returns required to be filed by any of
them. The Company and each Subsidiary has duly paid, or accrued on its books of
account, all taxes (including estimated taxes) shown as due on such reports and
returns (or such extension requests), or assessed against it, or that it is
obligated to withhold from amounts owed by it to any person. The liabilities and
reserves for taxes reflected on the Company Audited Balance Sheet or the Company
Interim Balance Sheet are adequate to cover all taxes payable by the Company and
its Subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof ending on or
before the dates thereof. There are no Liens (as defined in Section 3.14) for
taxes upon any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary. Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary is delinquent in the payment of any tax assessment
(including, but not limited to, any applicable withholding taxes). None of the
tax returns or reports for the tax periods ended December 31, 1995, 1996, and
1997 have been audited by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or by any
other taxing authority. Further, to the knowledge of the Company, except to the
 
                                      B-15
<PAGE>
extent specifically disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule, no state of
facts exists or has existed that would subject the Company or any Subsidiary to
an additional material tax liability for any taxes assessable by either the IRS
or any separate state, local, foreign, or other taxing authority with respect to
any reports or returns filed on or before the date hereof (other than extension
requests for which returns have not been filed as of the date hereof). Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary has, with regard to any assets or property held,
acquired or to be acquired by any of them, filed a consent to the application of
Section 341(f)(2) of the Code. Except to the extent specifically disclosed on
the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has (i)
received notification of any pending or proposed examination by either the IRS
or any state, local, foreign, or other taxing authority, (ii) received
notification of any pending or proposed deficiency by either the IRS or any
state, local, foreign, or other taxing authority, or (iii) granted any extension
of the limitations period applicable to any claim for taxes.
 
    For the purposes of this Section 3.12, "tax" shall mean and include taxes,
additions to tax, penalties, interest, fines, duties, withholdings, assessments,
and charges assessed or imposed by any governmental authority, including but not
limited to all federal, state, county, local, and foreign income, profits, gross
receipts, import, ad valorem, real and personal property, franchise, license,
sales, use, value added, stamp, transfer, withholding, payroll, employment,
excise, custom, duty, and any other taxes, obligations and assessments of any
kind whatsoever; "tax" shall also include any liability arising as a result of
being (or ceasing to be) a member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined, or
unitary group as well as any liability under any tax allocation, tax sharing,
tax indemnity, or similar agreement.
 
    3.13  CONTRACTS.  The Company Disclosure Schedule lists, and the Company has
heretofore furnished to Parent complete and accurate copies of (or, if oral, the
Company Disclosure Schedule states all material provisions of), (a) every
independent sales representative, noncompetition (except only for standard
noncompetition agreements entered into with the Company's employees, the forms
of which have been provided to Parent), loan, credit, escrow, security,
mortgage, guaranty, pledge, buy-sell, letter of credit, OEM, supply,
distribution, manufacturers' representative, dealer, agency, lease (except for
immaterial personal property leases), licensing (except for immaterial licenses,
which include, without limitation, licenses for off-the-shelf software),
franchise, development, joint development, joint venture, research and
development, or similar contract, agreement, or understanding material to the
Company and to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or may be bound,
(b) every material employment or consulting agreement or arrangement with or for
the benefit of any director, officer, employee, other person or shareholder of
the Company or any Subsidiary or any affiliate thereof, (c) every contract,
agreement, or understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party
that could reasonably be expected to involve payments by or to the Company or
any Subsidiary in excess of $150,000 during the Company's current 1998 fiscal
year or in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate during the Company's 1998, 1999
and 2000 fiscal years, or would have a Company Material Adverse Effect, or that
was not made in the ordinary course of business, (d) every agreement or contract
between the Company or any Subsidiary and any of the Company's officers,
directors, or more than 5% shareholders or any entity in which any of the
Company's officers, directors, or more than 5% shareholders has a greater than
2% equity interest, and (e) every other contract, plan, agreement, or
understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or may be bound
and which would be required to be filed with the SEC in a filing to which
paragraph (b)(10) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K of the Rules and Regulations of
the SEC would be applicable. The Company and each Subsidiary has performed all
obligations required to be performed by it under any listed or material
contract, plan, agreement, understanding, or arrangement made or obligation owed
by or to the Company or any Subsidiary, except where the failure would not have
a Company Material Adverse Effect; to the Company's knowledge, there has not
been any event of default (or any event or condition which with notice or the
lapse of time, both or otherwise, would constitute an event of default)
thereunder on the part of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any other party to any
thereof that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect; the same are in full
force and effect and valid and enforceable by the Company or its Subsidiaries in
accordance with their respective terms subject to laws of general application
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, and the relief of debtors and rules or law
governing specific performance,
 
                                      B-16
<PAGE>
injunctive relief, and other equitable remedies; and the performance of any such
contracts, plans, agreements, understandings, arrangements, or obligations would
not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
    3.14  TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS.  The Company and/or its Subsidiaries have
good and marketable title to all properties and assets reflected on the Company
Audited Balance Sheet or the Company Interim Balance Sheet or acquired after the
dates thereof (except for properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of in
the ordinary course of business since the dates thereof), which includes each
asset the absence or unavailability of which would have a Company Material
Adverse Effect, subject only to (a) statutory Liens arising or incurred in the
ordinary course of business with respect to which the underlying obligations are
not delinquent, (b) with respect to personal property, the rights of customers
of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to inventory or work in progress
under orders or contracts entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business, (c) Liens reflected on the Company Audited Balance
Sheet or the Company Interim Balance Sheet, (d) Liens for taxes not yet
delinquent, and (e) and defects in title that would not have a Company Material
Adverse Effect. The term "Lien" as used in this Agreement means any mortgage,
pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, claim, or charge of any kind. All
properties and assets purported to be leased by the Company or any Subsidiary
are subject to valid and effective leases that are in full force and effect, and
there does not exist, and the Merger will not result in, any default or event
that with notice or lapse of time, or both or otherwise, would constitute a
default under any such leases which would have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. The properties and assets of the Company and each Subsidiary have been
kept in good condition and repair in the ordinary course of business.
 
    3.15  PERMITS, LICENSES, ETC.  Except as set forth on the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Company and each Subsidiary has all rights, permits, certificates,
licenses, consents, franchises, approvals, registrations, and other
authorizations necessary to sell its products and services and otherwise carry
on and conduct its business and to own, lease, use, and operate its properties
and assets at the places and in the manner now conducted and operated, except
those the absence of which would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice or claim
pertaining to the failure to obtain any permit, certificate, license, franchise,
approval, registration, or other authorization required by any federal, state,
local, or foreign body or authority (including, but not limited to, the FDA or
any nongovernmental self-regulatory agency).
 
    3.16  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.  The Company Disclosure Schedule
contains a complete and accurate list of all material patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, copyrights, and all applications for or registrations of
any of the foregoing as to which the Company or any Subsidiary is the owner or a
licensee (indicating whether such license is exclusive or nonexclusive). The
Company and each Subsidiary exclusively owns, free and clear of any Lien (as
defined in Section 3.14), or is exclusively (unless otherwise indicated in the
Company Disclosure Schedule) licensed to use, all patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks, copyrights, applications for or registrations of any of
the foregoing, processes, inventions, designs, technology, formulas, computer
software programs, know-how, and trade secrets used in or necessary for the
conduct of its respective business as currently conducted or proposed to be
conducted (the "Company Intellectual Property"). Except to the extent
specifically disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule, no claim has been
asserted or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by any person with
respect to the use of the Company Intellectual Property or challenging or
questioning the validity or effectiveness of any license or agreement with
respect thereto. To the knowledge of the Company, neither the use of the Company
Intellectual Property by the Company or any Subsidiary in the present or planned
conduct of its business nor any product or service of the Company or any
Subsidiary infringes on the intellectual property rights of any person. No
current or former shareholder, employee, or consultant of the Company or any
Subsidiary has any rights in or to any of the Company Intellectual Property. All
Company Intellectual Property listed on the Company Disclosure Schedule has the
status indicated therein and all applications are still pending in good standing
and have not been abandoned.
 
                                      B-17
<PAGE>
Except to the extent specifically disclosed on the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(i) the Company Intellectual Property is valid and has not been challenged in
any judicial or administrative proceeding; (ii) the Company and each Subsidiary
have made all statutorily required filings, if any, to record their interests,
and taken reasonable actions to protect their rights, in the Company
Intellectual Property; (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, no person or
entity nor such person's or entity's business or products has infringed,
misused, or misappropriated any Company Intellectual Property or currently is
infringing, misusing, or misappropriating any Company Intellectual Property; and
(iv) no other person or entity has any right to receive or any obligation to pay
a royalty with respect to any Company Intellectual Property or any product or
service of the Company or any Subsidiary.
 
    3.17  BENEFIT PLANS.  Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Schedule:
 
        (a) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary sponsors, maintains,
    contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to or been
    required to contribute to, any "employee pension benefit plan" ("Pension
    Plan"), as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement
    Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), including, solely for the
    purpose of this subsection, a plan excluded from coverage by Section 4(b)(5)
    of ERISA. Each such Pension Plan presently maintained by the Company or any
    Subsidiary is, in all material respects, in compliance with applicable
    provisions of ERISA, the Code, and other applicable law.
 
        (b) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary sponsors, maintains,
    contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to or been
    required to contribute to, any Pension Plan that is a "Multiemployer Plan"
    within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
 
        (c) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary sponsors, maintains,
    contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or been
    required to contribute to, any "employee welfare benefit plan" ("Welfare
    Plan"), as such term is defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, whether insured or
    otherwise, and any such Welfare Plan presently maintained by the Company or
    any Subsidiary is, in all material respects, in compliance with the
    provisions of ERISA, the Code, and all other applicable laws, including, but
    not limited to, Section 4980B of the Code and the regulations thereunder,
    and Part 6 of Title I of ERISA. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has
    established or contributed to any "voluntary employees' beneficiary
    association" within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.
 
        (d) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary sponsors, maintains, or
    contributes to, or has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, a
    "self-insured medical reimbursement plan" within the meaning of Section
    105(h) of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
 
        (e) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary currently maintains or
    contributes to any oral or written bonus, profit-sharing, compensation
    (incentive or otherwise), commission, stock option, or other stock-based
    compensation, retirement, severance, change of control, vacation, sick or
    parental leave, dependent care, deferred compensation, cafeteria,
    disability, hospitalization, medical, death, retiree, insurance, or other
    benefit or welfare or other similar plan, policy, agreement, trust, fund, or
    arrangement providing for the remuneration or benefit of all or any
    employees or shareholders or any other person, that is neither a Pension
    Plan nor a Welfare Plan (collectively, the "Compensation Plans").
 
        (f) To the knowledge of the Company, neither any Pension Plans or
    Welfare Plans nor any trust created or insurance contract issued thereunder
    nor any trustee, fiduciary, custodian, or administrator thereof, nor any
    officer, director, or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, custodian,
    or any other "disqualified person" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(2)
    of the Code, or "party in interest" within the meaning of Section 3(14) of
    ERISA, with respect to any such plan has engaged in any act or omission that
    could reasonably be expected to subject the Company or any Subsidiary,
 
                                      B-18
<PAGE>
    either directly or indirectly, to a liability for breach of fiduciary duties
    under ERISA or a tax or penalty imposed by Section 502 of ERISA.
 
        (g) Full and timely payment has been made of all amounts that the
    Company or any Subsidiary is required, under applicable law, with respect to
    any Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, or Compensation Plan, or any agreement
    relating to any Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, or Compensation Plan, to have
    paid as a contribution to each Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, or Compensation
    Plan. To the extent required by generally accepted accounting principles,
    the Company has made adequate provisions for reserves to meet contributions
    that have not been made because they are not yet due under the terms of any
    Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, or Compensation Plan or related agreements.
    There will be no change on or before the Closing Date in the operation of
    any Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, or Compensation Plan or documents under
    which any such plan is maintained that will result in an increase in the
    benefit liabilities under such plan, except as may be required by law. The
    IRS has issued favorable determination letters with respect to all Company
    and Subsidiary Pension Plans that are intended to be qualified under Section
    401(a) of the Code. The Company has provided to Parent complete and accurate
    copies of all Pension Plans, Welfare Plans, Compensation Plans, and related
    agreements, annual reports (Form 5500), favorable determination letters,
    current summary plan descriptions, and all employee handbooks or manuals.
 
        (h) The execution of, and performance of the transactions contemplated
    in, this Agreement will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any
    additional or subsequent events) constitute an event under any Pension Plan,
    Welfare Plan, Compensation Plan, or other arrangement that will or may
    result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise), acceleration,
    forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting, distribution, increase in benefits, or
    obligation to fund benefits. No amount that could be received (whether in
    cash or property or the vesting of property) as a result of any of the
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any employee, officer, or
    director of the Company or any of its affiliates who is a "disqualified
    individual" (as such term is defined in proposed Treasury Regulation Section
    1.280G-1) under any Pension Plan, Welfare Plan, or Compensation Plan
    currently in effect would be an "excess parachute payment" (as such term is
    defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).
 
    3.18  MINUTE BOOKS.  The minute books of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
as previously made available to Parent and its representatives, contain, in all
material respects, complete and accurate records of all meetings of and
corporate actions or written consents by the shareholders, Boards of Directors,
and committees of the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
 
    3.19  INSURANCE POLICIES.  The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
complete and accurate list, including the term, coverages, premium rates, limits
and deductibles thereof, of all material policies of insurance maintained by the
Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any of its officers, directors,
employees, shareholders, agents, properties, buildings, machinery, equipment,
furniture, fixtures or operations and a description of each claim made by the
Company or any Subsidiary during the three-year period preceding the date hereof
under any such policy of insurance. The Company has previously delivered to
Parent complete and accurate copies of all such policies of insurance and
complete and accurate copies of all documentation regarding claims made
thereunder. All such policies of insurance are in full force and effect, have
been issued for the benefit of the Company, its Subsidiaries, and/or their
respective directors, officers and employees by properly licensed insurance
carriers, and are adequate and customary for the assets, business, and
operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company has promptly and
properly notified its insurance carriers of any and all claims known to it with
respect to its operations or products for which it is insured.
 
    3.20  BANK ACCOUNTS.  The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of
each bank, broker, or other depository with which the Company or any Subsidiary
has an account or safe deposit box (other than those having a balance or value
not exceeding $25,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate), the names and
numbers of such accounts or boxes and the names of all persons authorized to
draw thereon or execute transactions.
 
                                      B-19
<PAGE>
    3.21  POWERS OF ATTORNEY.  The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the
names of all persons, if any, holding powers of attorney from the Company or any
Subsidiary relating to authority for actions taken in the United States and a
description of the scope of each such power of attorney. The Company has
delivered to Parent prior to the date hereof complete and accurate copies of all
such powers of attorney. Within 15 days after execution of this Agreement, the
Company shall provide Parent with a list setting forth the names of all persons
holding any other powers of attorney from the Company or any Subsidiary not
included in the Company Disclosure Schedule and a description of the scope of
each such other power of attorney (other than powers of attorney granted in the
ordinary course of business for the prosecution of intellectual property filing
matters).
 
    3.22  PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS.  During the three-year period preceding the
date hereof, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has ever received a claim,
or incurred any uninsured or insured liability, for or based upon breach of
product warranty (other than warranty service, repair claims and MDR's in the
ordinary course of business not material in amount or significance), strict
liability in tort, negligent manufacture of product, negligent provision of
services or any other allegation of liability, including or resulting in, but
not limited to, product recalls, arising from the materials, design, testing,
manufacture, packaging, labeling (including instructions for use), or sale of
its products or from the provision of services (hereafter collectively referred
to as "Product Liability"). To the knowledge of the Company, no basis for any
claim based upon alleged Product Liability exists that would have a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
 
    3.23  WARRANTIES.  To the knowledge of the Company, all products
manufactured or sold, and all services provided, by the Company or any
Subsidiary have complied, and are in compliance, in all material respects with
all contractual requirements, warranties or covenants, express or implied,
applicable thereto, and with all applicable governmental, trade association or
regulatory specifications therefor or applicable thereto, including, to the
extent applicable, FDA Good Manufacturing Practices. The terms of all product
and service warranties of the Company and each Subsidiary are specifically set
forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company has delivered to Parent
prior to the date hereof complete and accurate copies of the forms of all such
warranties and policies used by the Company in the last twenty (20) months, and
no warranties with terms of more than twelve (12) months have been used by the
Company other than those used in the last twenty (20) months.
 
    3.24  INVENTORIES.  Except as specifically set forth on the Company
Disclosure Schedule, all inventories owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries
consist of items of merchantable quality and quantity usable or salable in the
ordinary course of business, are salable at prevailing market prices that are
not less than the book value amounts thereof or the price customarily charged by
the Company or the applicable Subsidiary therefor, conform to the specifications
established therefor, and have been manufactured in accordance with applicable
regulatory requirements, except to the extent that the failure of such
inventories so to consist, be saleable, conform, or be manufactured would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Except as specifically set forth on the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the quantities of all inventories, materials, and
supplies of the Company and each Subsidiary (net of the obsolescence reserve
therefor shown on the Company Interim Balance Sheet and determined in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) are not obsolete,
damaged, slow-moving, defective, or excessive, and are reasonable and balanced
in the circumstances of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except to the extent
that the failure of such inventories to be in such conditions would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
true and complete list of the addresses of all warehouses or other facilities in
which inventories of the Company or any Subsidiary are located.
 
    3.25  RELATIONS WITH SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS.  No material current supplier
of the Company or any Subsidiary has cancelled any contract or order for
provision of, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there has been no threat by
or basis for any such supplier not to provide, raw materials, products,
supplies, or services to the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries
either prior to or following the Merger. Except as specifically set forth on the
Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has, to the
knowledge of the Company, received any information from any customer that
 
                                      B-20
<PAGE>
accounted for more than 5% of the revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries
during the last full fiscal year to the effect that such customer intends to
materially decrease the amount of business it does with the businesses of the
Company and its Subsidiaries either prior to or following the Merger. The
Company Disclosure Schedule lists each supplier to the Company or any Subsidiary
that is the sole source of a particular raw material, product, supply, or
service.
 
    3.26  NO FINDERS.  No act of the Company or any Subsidiary has given or will
give rise to any claim against any of the parties hereto for a brokerage
commission, finder's fee, or other like payment in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein, except payments in the amounts specified on
the Company Disclosure Schedule to those parties identified thereon who have
acted as a finder for the Company or have been retained by the Company as
financial advisors pursuant to the agreements or other documents described in
the Company Disclosure Schedule, copies of which have been provided to Parent
prior to the date of this Agreement.
 
    3.27  PROXY STATEMENT.  The Proxy Statement/Prospectus (as defined in
Section 5.4 hereof) and any amendments or supplements thereto will comply in all
material respects with all applicable laws, and none of the information relating
to the Company or its affiliates included or incorporated therein or in any
amendments or supplements thereto, or any schedules required to be filed with
the SEC in connection therewith, will, at any time during the period beginning
at the time it is mailed to shareholders and ending at the time of the Company
Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; provided, however, that no representation or warranty is
made by the Company with respect to information relating to Parent or any
affiliate of Parent supplied by Parent specifically for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
 
    3.28  MERGER FILINGS.  The information as to the Company and the
Subsidiaries or any of their affiliates or shareholders included in the
Company's filing, or submitted to Parent for inclusion in its filing, if any,
required to be submitted under the HSR Act or under any Foreign Merger Laws
shall be true, correct, and complete in all material respects and shall comply
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act, the
rules and regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission pursuant thereto,
and the Foreign Merger Laws.
 
    3.29  FAIRNESS OPINION.  The Company has received an opinion from Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated to the effect that, as of the date hereof, the
consideration to be received by the holders of Company Common Stock in the
Merger is fair to such holders from a financial point of view, and the Company
will promptly deliver a copy of such opinion to Parent.
 
    3.30  STATE TAKEOVER LAWS.  The Board of Directors of the Company has
approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Agreements to
Facilitate Merger described in Section 5.11 hereof, and the Stock Option
Agreement described in Section 5.17 hereof such that the provisions of Section
23B.19.040 of the WBCA will not apply to this Agreement or the Agreements to
Facilitate Merger or the Stock Option Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.
 
                                   ARTICLE 4
 
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        OF PARENT AND MERGER SUBSIDIARY
 
    Except as set forth in a document of even date herewith, referring
specifically to the representations and warranties in this Agreement which
identifies by section number to which such disclosure relates (the "Parent
Disclosure Schedule"), Parent and Merger Subsidiary hereby jointly and severally
make the following representations and warranties to the Company:
 
    4.1  ORGANIZATION.  Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the state of Minnesota. Merger
Subsidiary is a corporation duly organized and validly
 
                                      B-21
<PAGE>
existing under the laws of the state of Washington. Each of Parent and Merger
Subsidiary has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease, and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each
of Parent and Merger Subsidiary is duly qualified and in good standing to do
business in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased, or operated
by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification
necessary and where the failure to qualify could reasonably be expected to have
a Parent Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). "Parent Material Adverse
Effect" means an effect that, individually or in the aggregate with other
effects, is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse: (i) to the
present or planned business, properties, liabilities, results of operation, or
financial condition of Parent and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole, or
(ii) to Parent's ability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement
or to consummate the Merger.
 
    4.2  AUTHORIZATION.  Each of Parent and Merger Subsidiary has full corporate
power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, and Parent has full corporate power and
authority to prepare, file, and distribute the Registration Statement (as
defined in Section 5.4 hereof). The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
Parent and Merger Subsidiary and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by the
Boards of Directors of Parent and Merger Subsidiary and by Parent as the sole
shareholder of Merger Subsidiary, and no other corporate proceedings on the part
of Parent and Merger Subsidiary are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Merger Subsidiary and
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Subsidiary,
enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, subject to laws
of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, and the relief of
debtors and rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief, or
other equitable remedies.
 
    4.3  CAPITALIZATION.  As of June 12, 1998, the authorized capital stock of
Parent consisted of (a) 800,000,000 shares of Common Stock with a par value of
$.10 per share, of which there were 469,344,895 shares issued and outstanding
and no shares held in Parent's treasury, and (b) 2,500,000 shares of Preferred
Stock with a par value of $1.00 per share, of which there were no shares issued
and outstanding. The authorized capital stock of Merger Subsidiary consists of
2,500 shares of Merger Subsidiary Common Stock, 100 of which are issued and
outstanding and owned by Parent. All issued and outstanding shares of Parent
Common Stock and Merger Subsidiary Common Stock are, and the shares of Parent
Common Stock to be issued and delivered in the Merger pursuant to Article 1
hereof shall be, at the time of issuance and delivery, validly issued, fully
paid, nonassessable, and free of preemptive rights. The shares of Parent Common
Stock to be issued and delivered in the Merger pursuant to Article 1 hereof
shall be registered under the 1933 Act and duly listed for trading on the NYSE,
subject to official notice of issuance.
 
    4.4  CONSENTS AND APPROVALS.  Except for (i) any applicable requirements of
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, state securities laws, the NYSE, the HSR Act, and
Foreign Merger Laws, (ii) the filing and recordation of appropriate merger
documents as required by the WBCA, and (iii) compliance with Chapter 13 of the
WBCA regarding dissenters' rights of the Company's shareholders, the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Subsidiary and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (a) violate any
provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent or Merger
Subsidiary; (b) violate any statute, rule, regulation, order, or decree of any
public body or authority (including, but not limited to, the FDA or any
nongovernmental self-regulatory agency) by which Parent or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound; (c)
require any filing with or permit, consent, or approval of any public body or
authority (including, but not limited to, the FDA or any nongovernmental
self-regulatory agency); or (d) result in any violation or breach of, or
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under, result in the loss of any material benefit under, or give rise to any
right of termination, cancellation, increased payments, or
 
                                      B-22
<PAGE>
acceleration under, or result in the creation of any Lien on any of the
properties or assets of Parent or its subsidiaries under, any of the terms,
conditions, or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license,
franchise, permit, agreement, or other instrument or obligation to which Parent
or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or by which any of them or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound, except, in the case of clause (d),
for any such violations, breaches, defaults, or other occurrences that would not
prevent or delay consummation of any of the transaction contemplated hereby in
any material respect, or otherwise prevent Parent from performing its
obligations under this Agreement in any material respect, and would not have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
 
    4.5  REPORTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; ABSENCE OF CHANGES; LITIGATION.  Parent
has filed all forms, reports, registration statements, and documents required to
be filed by it with the SEC since May 1, 1995 (such forms, reports, registration
statements and documents, together with any amendments thereto, are referred to
as the "Parent SEC Filings"). As of their respective dates, the Parent SEC
Filings (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as the case may be, and (ii) did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial
statements included or incorporated by reference in the Parent SEC Filings (i)
were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
indicated therein or in the notes thereto), (ii) complied as of their respective
dates in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the
published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, and (iii)
fairly present the consolidated financial position of Parent as of the dates
thereof and the income, cash flows, and changes in shareholders' equity for the
periods involved. Except to the extent disclosed in Parent's subsequent filings
with the SEC or specifically disclosed in the Parent Disclosure Schedule, since
April 30, 1997, there has not been any change or circumstance that would have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect. Except to the extent disclosed in the Parent SEC
Filings or in the Parent Disclosure Schedule, to Parent's knowledge, there is no
investigation, review, claim, action, suit or proceeding by any federal, state,
local or foreign body or authority (including, but not limited to, the FDA or
any non-governmental self-regulatory agency) or private party with respect to
Parent that could reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.
 
    4.6  REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  The Registration Statement (as defined in
Section 5.4 hereof) and any amendments or supplements thereto will comply in all
material respects with the 1933 Act, and none of the information relating to
Parent or its affiliates included or incorporated therein or in any amendments
or supplements thereto, or any schedules required to be filed with the SEC in
connection therewith, will, at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective or at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that no
representation or warranty is made by Parent with respect to information
supplied by the Company or any affiliate of the Company specifically for
inclusion in the Registration Statement.
 
    4.7  MERGER FILINGS.  The information as to Parent and Merger Subsidiary or
any of their affiliates or shareholders included in Parent's filing, or
submitted to the Company for inclusion in its filing, if any, required to be
submitted under the HSR Act or under any Foreign Merger Laws shall be true,
correct, and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act, the rules and
regulations issued by the Federal Trade Commission pursuant thereto, and Foreign
Merger Laws.
 
    4.8  NO FINDERS.  No act of Parent or Merger Subsidiary has given or will
give rise to any claim against any of the parties hereto for a brokerage
commission, finder's fee, or other like payment in
 
                                      B-23
<PAGE>
connection with the transactions contemplated herein, except payments to
Goldman, Sachs & Co., who has been retained by Parent as its financial advisor.
 
                                   ARTICLE 5
 
                                   COVENANTS
 
    5.1  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY.  Except as contemplated by this
Agreement, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time, the Company and each Subsidiary will conduct its respective operations
according to its ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with past
practice, and the Company and each Subsidiary will use all reasonable efforts to
preserve intact its respective business organizations, to maintain its present
and planned business, to keep available the services of its respective officers
and employees and to maintain satisfactory relationships with licensors,
licensees, suppliers, contractors, distributors, physicians, consultants,
customers, and others having business relationships with it. The Company will
promptly advise Parent orally and in writing of any material change in the
management, present or planned business, properties, liabilities, results of
operations, or financial condition of the Company or any Subsidiary. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise expressly
provided in or contemplated by this Agreement, prior to the Effective Time,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will, without the prior written consent
of Parent:
 
        (a) amend its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws;
 
        (b) authorize for issuance, issue, sell, pledge, or deliver (whether
    through the issuance or granting of additional options, warrants,
    commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase, or otherwise other than in
    the ordinary course of business consistent with past new hire practices) any
    stock of any class or any securities convertible into shares of stock of any
    class (other than the issuance of the number of shares of Company Common
    Stock indicated in Section 3.3 hereof upon the exercise in accordance with
    the current terms of the stock options listed in Schedule 3.3 hereof as
    outstanding on the date of this Agreement);
 
        (c) split, combine, or reclassify any shares of its capital stock,
    declare, set aside, or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in
    cash, stock, or property or any combination thereof) in respect of its
    capital stock; or redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital
    stock or other securities; or amend or alter any material term of any of its
    outstanding securities;
 
        (d) other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
    past practice, create, incur, or assume any indebtedness for borrowed money,
    or assume, guarantee, endorse, or otherwise become liable or responsible
    (whether directly, contingently, or otherwise) for the obligations of any
    other person; or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
    investments in, any other person; or create, incur or assume any Lien on any
    material asset;
 
        (e) knowingly take any action that would have the effect of (i)
    jeopardizing the treatment of the acquisition of the Company by Parent as a
    "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes, or (ii) jeopardizing the
    qualification of the Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of
    Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code;
 
        (f) (i) increase in any manner the compensation of any of its directors,
    officers, employees, shareholders, or consultants, except in the ordinary
    course of business and consistent with past practice or consistent with
    existing contractual commitments, in each case to the extent disclosed in
    writing to Parent prior to the date hereof, or accelerate the payment of any
    such compensation (whether or not any such acceleration is consistent with
    past practice); (ii) pay or accelerate or otherwise modify the payment,
    vesting, exercisability, increase in matching amount, or other feature or
    requirement of any pension, retirement allowance, severance, change of
    control, stock option, or other employee benefit not required by any
    existing plan, agreement, or arrangement to any such director, officer,
    employee, shareholder, or consultant, whether past or present; or (iii)
    except for
 
                                      B-24
<PAGE>
    normal increases in the ordinary course of business in accordance with its
    customary past practices or consistent with existing contractual
    commitments, in each case to the extent disclosed in writing to the Parent
    prior to the date hereof, commit itself to any additional or increased
    pension, profit-sharing, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock
    purchase, stock option, stock appreciation right, group insurance,
    severance, change of control, retirement or other benefit, plan, agreement,
    or arrangement, or to any employment or consulting agreement, with or for
    the benefit of any person, or amend any of such plans or any of such
    agreements in existence on the date hereof;
 
        (g) except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
    practice, or pursuant to contractual obligations existing on the date
    hereof, (i) sell, transfer, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or encumber
    any real or personal property, (ii) pay, discharge, or satisfy claims,
    liabilities, or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise),
    or (iii) cancel any debts or waive any claims or rights, which involve
    payments or commitments to make payments that individually exceed $50,000
    or, in the aggregate, exceed $100,000;
 
        (h) acquire or agree to acquire (i) by merging or consolidating with, or
    by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other
    manner, any portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business
    of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, or other
    business organization or division thereof or (ii) any assets that are
    material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company, except as
    provided in subsection (i) below and except purchases of inventory in the
    ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or consistent with
    the Company's 1998 budget delivered to Parent prior to the execution of this
    Agreement (the "1998 Budget");
 
        (i) make or agree to make any new capital expenditure or expenditures
    that, individually, is in excess of $50,000 or, in the aggregate, are in
    excess of $100,000 unless in the ordinary course of business consistent with
    the Company's 1998 Budget;
 
        (j) enter into, amend, or terminate any joint ventures or any other
    agreements, commitments, or contracts that, individually or in the
    aggregate, are material to the Company or any Subsidiary (except agreements,
    commitments, or contracts expressly provided for or contemplated by this
    Agreement or for the purchase, sale, or lease of goods, services, or
    properties in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice
    or capital expenditures or inventory purchases consistent with the 1998
    Budget), or otherwise make any material change in the conduct of the
    business or operations of the Company or any Subsidiary;
 
        (k) enter into or terminate, or amend, extend, renew, or otherwise
    modify (including, but not limited to, by default or by failure to act) any
    distribution, OEM, independent sales representative, noncompetition,
    licensing, franchise, research and development, supply, or similar contract,
    agreement, or understanding (except agreements, commitments, or contracts
    expressly provided for or contemplated by this Agreement or for the
    purchase, sale, or lease of goods, services, or properties in the ordinary
    course of business, consistent with past practice or capital expenditures or
    inventory purchases consistent with the Company's 1998 Budget);
 
        (l) change in any material respect its credit policy as to sales of
    inventories or collection of receivables or its inventory consignment
    practices;
 
        (m) remove or permit to be removed from any building, facility, or real
    property any machinery, equipment, fixture, vehicle, or other personal
    property or parts thereof, except in the ordinary course of business;
 
        (n) alter or revise its accounting principles, procedures, methods, or
    practices, except as required by a change in generally accepted accounting
    principles and concurred with by the Company's independent public
    accountants;
 
                                      B-25
<PAGE>
        (o) institute, settle, or compromise any claim, action, suit, or
    proceeding pending or threatened by or against it involving amounts in
    excess of $100,000 (limited to the Company's retention amount, if insured),
    at law or in equity or before any federal, state, local, foreign, or other
    governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, or
    instrumentality (including, but not limited to, the FDA or any
    nongovernmental self-regulatory agency);
 
        (p) distribute or otherwise circulate any notices, directives, or other
    communications directed to all or groups of customers, vendors, employees,
    distributors, or others associated with its business relating to the
    transactions contemplated hereby or to the operation of business after
    consummation of such transactions without consulting with Parent, giving
    Parent reasonable opportunity to comment thereon, and obtaining prior to
    distribution Parent's approval thereof, which shall not unreasonably be
    withheld;
 
        (q) knowingly take any action that would render any representation,
    warranty, covenant, or agreement of the Company in this Agreement inaccurate
    or breached as of the Closing Date; or
 
        (r) agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing.
 
    5.2  NO SOLICITATION.  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any of
their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents, or
affiliates (including, but not limited to any investment banker, attorney, or
accountant retained by the Company or any Subsidiary), shall, directly or
indirectly, solicit, encourage, initiate, or participate in any way in
discussions or negotiations with, or knowingly provide any information to, any
corporation, partnership, person, or other entity or group (other than Parent or
any affiliate or agent of Parent) concerning any merger, sale or licensing of
any significant portion of the assets, sale of shares of capital stock
(including without limitation any proposal or offer to the Company's
shareholders), or similar transactions involving the Company or any Subsidiary
(an "Alternative Proposal"), or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to
make or implement an Alternative Proposal; provided, however, that this section
shall not prohibit the Board of Directors of the Company from (i) furnishing
information to or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person or
entity that makes an unsolicited bona fide Alternative Proposal, if, and only to
the extent that, (a) the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good
faith that such action is so required for the Board of Directors to comply with
its fiduciary duties to shareholders imposed by law, the Board has been so
advised in writing by outside counsel, in its judgment and opinion, as being so
required and the Board so represents to Parent that the Board has been so
advised, (b) prior to furnishing information to, or entering into discussions
and negotiations with, such person or entity, the Company promptly provides
written notice to Parent to the effect that it is furnishing information to, or
entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity, and (c)
the Company keeps Parent informed of all material terms and events with respect
to any such Alternative Proposal; and (ii) to the extent applicable, complying
with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the 1934 Act with regard to an Alternative
Proposal. Nothing in this section shall (x) permit the Company to terminate this
Agreement (except as specifically provided in Article 7 hereof), (y) permit the
Company to enter into any agreement with respect to an Alternative Proposal for
as long as this Agreement remains in effect (it being agreed that for as long as
this Agreement remains in effect, the Company shall not enter into any agreement
with any person that provides for, or in any way facilitates, an Alternative
Proposal), or (z) affect any other obligation of the Company under this
Agreement.
 
    5.3  ACCESS AND INFORMATION.  The Company shall afford to Parent, and to
Parent's accountants, officers, directors, employees, counsel, and other
representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours, from the date
hereof through the Effective Time, to all of its properties, books, contracts,
commitments, and records, and, during such period, the Company shall furnish
promptly to Parent all information concerning the Company's and its
Subsidiaries' businesses, prospects, properties, liabilities, results of
operations, financial condition, testing, clinicals, officers, employees,
investigators, distributors, customers, suppliers, and others having dealings
with the Company as Parent may reasonably request and reasonable opportunity to
contact and obtain information from such officers, employees, investigators,
 
                                      B-26
<PAGE>
distributors, customers, suppliers, and others having dealings with the Company
as Parent may reasonably request; provided, with respect to certain designated
matters subject to existing confidentiality agreements as referenced in separate
disclosure letters dated June 1 and 26, 1998, access for Parent shall be
provided as set forth in such separate disclosure letter. During the period from
the date hereof to the Effective Time, the parties shall in good faith meet and
correspond on a regular basis for mutual consultation concerning the conduct of
the Company's and the Subsidiaries' businesses and, in connection therewith,
Parent shall be entitled to have employees or other representatives present at
the offices of the Company and its Subsidiaries to observe, and be kept informed
concerning, the Company's and the Subsidiaries' operations and business
planning. Parent shall hold in confidence all such nonpublic information as
required and in accordance with the confidentiality agreement dated April 16,
1998, between Parent and the Company (the "Confidentiality Agreement").
 
    5.4  APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS; PROXY STATEMENT; REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
 
        (a) The Company shall promptly take all action necessary in accordance
    with Washington law and the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
    to cause a special meeting of the Company's shareholders (the "Company
    Shareholders Meeting") to be duly called and held as soon as reasonably
    practicable following the date upon which the Registration Statement (as
    defined below) becomes effective for the purpose of voting upon the Merger.
    The shareholder vote or consent required for approval of the Plan of Merger
    and the Merger shall be no greater than that set forth in the WBCA and the
    Company's Articles of Incorporation as previously provided to Parent.
    Accordingly, the Company represents and warrants that the affirmative vote
    of the holders of record of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Company
    Common Stock is all that is necessary to obtain shareholder approval of the
    Plan of Merger and the Merger. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts
    to obtain the approval by the Company's shareholders of this Agreement, the
    Plan of Merger, and the Merger. In accordance therewith, the Company shall,
    with the cooperation of Parent, prepare and file, as soon as reasonably
    practicable, a proxy statement/prospectus included as part of the
    Registration Statement (such proxy statement/prospectus, together with
    notice of meeting, form of proxy, and any letter or other materials to the
    Company's shareholders included therein are referred to in this Agreement as
    the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus"). The Company shall use all reasonable
    efforts to cause the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to
    the shareholders of the Company, as soon as reasonably practicable following
    its effectiveness, with the date of mailing as mutually determined by the
    Company and Parent. The Company will, through its Board of Directors,
    recommend to its shareholders approval of the Merger in the definitive Proxy
    Statement/Prospectus.
 
        (b) Parent shall, with the cooperation of the Company, prepare and file,
    as soon as reasonably practicable, a registration statement under the 1933
    Act registering the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger
    (the "Registration Statement"), which Registration Statement shall include
    the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Parent will use all reasonable efforts to
    have the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as promptly
    thereafter as practicable. Parent shall also take any action required to be
    taken under state blue sky or securities laws in connection with the
    issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. The Company shall
    furnish to Parent all information concerning the Company and its
    Subsidiaries and the holders of its capital stock, and shall take such other
    action and otherwise cooperate, as Parent may reasonably request in
    connection with any such action.
 
        (c) Parent shall notify the Company promptly of the receipt of the
    comments of the SEC and of any request by the SEC for amendments or
    supplements to the Registration Statement and shall supply the Company with
    copies of all correspondence with the SEC with respect to the Registration
    Statement.
 
        (d) If at any time prior to the Company Shareholders Meeting, any event
    should occur relating to the Company, any Subsidiary, or the Company's
    officers or directors that is required to be described in an amendment or
    supplement to the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the
 
                                      B-27
<PAGE>
    Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly inform Parent. If at any
    time prior to the Company Shareholders Meeting, any event shall occur
    relating to Parent or Merger Subsidiary or their respective officers or
    directors that is required to be described in an amendment or supplement to
    the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statement,
    Parent shall promptly inform the Company. Whenever any event occurs that
    should be described in an amendment of, or supplement to, the definitive
    Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statement, the Company or
    Parent, as the case may be, shall, upon learning of such event, promptly
    notify the other and consult and cooperate with the other in connection with
    the preparation of a mutually acceptable amendment or supplement. The
    parties shall promptly file such amendment or supplement with the SEC and
    mail such amendment or supplement as soon as practicable after it is cleared
    by the SEC.
 
    5.5  CONSENTS.  The Company will, at its cost and expense, use all
reasonable efforts to obtain all approvals and consents of all third parties
necessary on the part of the Company or its Subsidiaries to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. Parent agrees to cooperate with the Company in
connection with obtaining such approvals and consents. Parent will, at its cost
and expense, use all reasonable efforts to obtain all approvals and consents of
all third parties necessary on the part of Parent to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The Company agrees to cooperate with Parent in connection
with obtaining such approvals and consents.
 
    5.6  AFFILIATES' LETTERS.
 
        (a) The Company has delivered to Parent a list of names of those
    persons, in the Company's reasonable judgment after consultation with
    outside legal counsel, who, as of the date hereof, are affiliates within the
    meaning of Rule 145 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the
    Securities Act or otherwise applicable SEC accounting releases with respect
    to pooling-of-interests accounting treatment (each such person, an
    "Affiliate") of the Company. The Company shall provide Parent such
    information and documents as Parent shall reasonably request for purposes of
    reviewing such list and shall promptly update such list to reflect any
    changes thereto. The Company has caused to be delivered to Parent an
    affiliate's letter in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT B, executed by
    each of the Affiliates of the Company identified in the foregoing list, and
    shall use all reasonable efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to
    Parent prior to the Effective Time such an affiliate's letter executed by
    any additional persons who become Affiliates after the date hereof. Parent
    shall be entitled to place legends as specified in such affiliates' letters
    on the certificates evidencing any of the Parent Common Stock to be received
    by such Affiliates pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and to issue
    appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for the Parent
    Common Stock, consistent with the terms of such letters.
 
        (b) For so long as resales of shares of Parent Common Stock issued
    pursuant to the Merger are subject to the resale restrictions set forth in
    Rule 145 under the Securities Act, Parent will use all reasonable efforts to
    comply with Rule 144(c)(1) under the Securities Act.
 
    5.7  EXPENSES.  Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the transactions
contemplated hereby, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and the Registration
Statement will be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, except
that the Company and Parent will share equally the cost of printing and filing
with the SEC the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and the Registration Statement, the
filing fees required under the HSR Act or any Foreign Merger Laws, and the fees
charged by Price Waterhouse LLP for the letters described in Section 5.15 (the
"Shared Expenses").
 
    5.8  REASONABLE EFFORTS; FURTHER ACTIONS.  Subject to the terms and
conditions herein provided and without being required to waive any conditions
herein (whether absolute, discretionary, or otherwise), each of the parties
hereto agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper,
or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement within 90 days of the date of this Agreement. In
 
                                      B-28
<PAGE>
case at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the proper officers and
directors of each party to this Agreement shall take all such necessary action.
 
    5.9  REGULATORY APPROVALS.  The Company and Parent will take all reasonable
action as may be necessary under federal or state securities laws or the HSR Act
or Foreign Merger Laws applicable to or necessary for, and will file as soon as
reasonably practicable and, if appropriate, use all reasonable efforts to have
declared effective or approved all documents and notifications with the SEC and
other governmental or regulatory bodies (including, without limitation, the FDA
and equivalent foreign regulatory bodies, and other foreign regulatory bodies
that administer Foreign Merger Laws, and any foreign labor councils or bodies as
may be required) that they deem necessary or appropriate for, the consummation
of the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby, and each party shall
give the other information reasonably requested by such other party pertaining
to it and its subsidiaries and affiliates to enable such other party to take
such actions. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary,
neither Parent nor Merger Subsidiary shall be required to make arrangements for
or to effect the cessation, sale, or other disposition of particular assets or
categories of assets or businesses of Parent, Merger Subsidiary, the Company, or
any of their affiliates.
 
    5.10  CERTAIN NOTIFICATIONS.  The Company shall promptly notify Parent in
writing of the occurrence of any event that will or could reasonably be expected
to result in the failure by the Company or its affiliates to satisfy any of the
conditions specified in Section 6.1 or 6.2. Parent shall promptly notify the
Company in writing of the occurrence of any event that will or could reasonably
be expected to result in the failure by Parent or its affiliates to satisfy any
of the conditions specified in Section 6.1 or 6.3.
 
    5.11  VOTING OF SHARES.  To induce Parent to execute this Agreement, all of
the officers and directors of the Company have executed and delivered as of the
date hereof Agreements to Facilitate Merger in the form attached hereto as
EXHIBIT C, pursuant to which each such person has agreed to vote his or her
shares of Company Common Stock in favor of the Merger at the Company
Shareholders Meeting.
 
    5.12  NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENTS.  To induce Parent to execute this
Agreement, the Company has caused the executives who, as of the date hereof, are
the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and General Counsel to execute and deliver to Parent as of the date
hereof (but expressly contingent upon the Closing of the Merger) noncompetition
agreements substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D hereto.
 
    5.13  NYSE LISTING APPLICATION.  Parent shall prepare and submit to the NYSE
a listing application for the Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger
pursuant to Article 1 of this Agreement. The Company shall cooperate with Parent
in such listing application.
 
    5.14  INDEMNIFICATION, EXCULPATION AND INSURANCE.
 
        (a) The articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the Surviving
    Corporation shall contain the provisions with respect to indemnification and
    exculpation from liability set forth in the Company's articles of
    incorporation and bylaws on the date of this Agreement, which provisions
    shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six
    years from the Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the
    rights thereunder of individuals who on or prior to the Effective Time were
    directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, unless such
    modification is required by law. Parent shall guarantee the obligations of
    the Surviving Corporation with respect to the indemnification provisions
    contained in the Surviving Corporation's articles of incorporation and
    bylaws.
 
        (b) To the extent coverage is reasonably available under the Company's
    current directors' and officers' liability insurance policy or otherwise,
    Parent will extend the discovery or reporting period under such policy for
    up to three years from the Effective Time to maintain in effect directors'
    and officers' liability insurance covering pre-acquisition acts for those
    persons who are currently covered by the Company's directors' and officers'
    liability insurance policy (a copy of which has been
 
                                      B-29
<PAGE>
    heretofore delivered to Parent) (the "INDEMNIFICATION PARTIES") on terms no
    less favorable than the terms of such current insurance coverage; PROVIDED,
    HOWEVER, that in no event shall Parent be required to expend for such
    three-year extension an amount in excess of 150% of the annual premium
    currently paid by the Company for such insurance; and PROVIDED FURTHER that
    if the cost of such three-year extension exceeds such 150% amount, Parent
    shall be obligated to obtain such extension as is available for a cost not
    exceeding such amount.
 
        (c) In the event Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their
    successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person
    and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
    consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its
    properties and assets to any person, then and in each such case, proper
    provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent or the
    Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, shall assume the obligations set
    forth in this Section 5.14.
 
        (d) This Section 5.14 shall survive the consummation of the Merger at
    the Effective Time, is intended to benefit the Company, Parent, the
    Surviving Corporation and the Indemnified Parties, and shall be binding on
    all successors and assigns of Parent and the Surviving Corporation.
 
    5.15  LETTERS OF THE COMPANY'S AND PARENT'S ACCOUNTANTS.  (A) The Company
shall cooperate with Parent and use all reasonable efforts to cause to be
delivered to Parent the following letters from Price Waterhouse LLP ("PW")
addressed to the Company and Parent: (i) a letter dated the date of this
Agreement, stating that after appropriate review and based on its familiarity
with the Company, neither the Company nor any of its shareholders who are
affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent Parent from
accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests transaction under Opinion 16
of the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations; and
(ii) a letter dated as of the Closing Date stating that after appropriate review
and based on its familiarity with the Company, neither the Company nor any of
its shareholders has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent
Parent from accounting for the Merger as a pooling of interests under Opinion 16
of the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations. (B)
The Company shall cooperate with Parent and Parent shall use all reasonable
means to cause to be delivered to the Company the following letters from PW
addressed to Parent and the Company: (i) a letter dated the date of this
Agreement, stating that after appropriate review of this Agreement and a letter
from the Parent describing the transaction and describing actions to be taken by
Parent with respect to the sale of certain shares of Parent Common Stock, the
Merger will qualify as a pooling of interests transaction under Opinion 16 of
the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations; and
(ii) a letter dated as of the Closing Date confirming as of the Closing Date
that the Merger will qualify as a pooling of interests transaction under Opinion
16 of the Accounting Principles Board and applicable SEC rules and regulations.
The fees charged by PW for such letters shall be shared equally by Parent and
the Company.
 
    5.16  SUBSIDIARY SHARES.  At or prior to the Closing, the Company shall
cause all issued and outstanding Subsidiary shares owned by any person other
than the Company to be transferred for no or nominal consideration to such
person or persons designated by Parent.
 
    5.17  STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT.  To induce Parent to execute this Agreement,
the Company has executed and delivered to Parent as of the date hereof a Stock
Option Agreement in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT E, pursuant to which the
Company has granted to Parent an option to acquire from the Company such number
of shares of Company Common Stock as equals 19.9% of the aggregate number of
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, at an exercise price equal to $27.50
per share or such lesser amount as is described in the second paragraph of
Section 1.3(a) hereof. Such option shall become exercisable only in the events
described in the Stock Option Agreement.
 
    5.18  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY PARENT.  During the period from the date of
this Agreement to the Effective Time, Parent shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course and
use all reasonable efforts to preserve their relationships with customers,
suppliers and
 
                                      B-30
<PAGE>
others having business dealings with them; PROVIDED that the foregoing shall not
prevent Parent or any of its subsidiaries from discounting or disposing of any
part of its assets or business or from acquiring any assets or businesses or
from entering into any financing transactions if such action is, in the judgment
of Parent, desirable in the conduct of the business of Parent and its
subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, except as (i)
contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) as set forth in a writing delivered to
the Company prior to the execution hereof, Parent shall not, and shall not
permit any of its subsidiaries to:
 
        (a) (i) declare, set aside or pay (whether in cash or property) any
    dividends on, or make any other distributions in respect of, any capital
    stock other than dividends and distributions by any direct or indirect
    wholly owned subsidiary of Parent to its parent and except for regular
    quarterly cash dividends (in an amount determined in a manner consistent
    with Parent's past practice) declared by the Board of Directors of Parent
    with customary record and payment dates and except distributions pursuant to
    the Parent Rights Plan, (ii) reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
    authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or
    in substitution for shares of Parent's capital stock (other than pursuant to
    the Parent Rights Plan);
 
        (b) amend its articles of incorporation (except for the purpose of
    increasing its authorized capitalization), bylaws or other comparable
    charter or organizational documents in a manner which would reasonably be
    expected to be materially adverse to the stockholders of the Company; or
 
        (c) authorize, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing actions.
 
    5.19  BENEFIT PLANS AND EMPLOYEE MATTERS.  From and after the Effective
Time, Parent shall to the extent practicable cause the Surviving Corporation to
provide employee benefits and programs to the Company's employees that, in the
aggregate, are substantially comparable or more favorable than those in
existence as of the date hereof and disclosed in writing to Parent prior to the
date hereof.
 
    5.20  DELIVERY OF SPECIFIED DOCUMENTS.
 
        (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
    contrary, the parties acknowledge that the affiliates' letters described in
    Section 5.6, the Agreements to Facilitate Merger described in Section 5.11,
    the noncompetition agreements described in Section 5.12, and the letters of
    PW dated the date of this Agreement (as opposed to the letter of PW to be
    dated as of the Closing Date) described in Section 5.15 have not been
    delivered as of the date hereof. The Company agrees that it will use best
    efforts to deliver all such documents and agreements within two business
    days after the execution of this Agreement on the date hereof.
 
        (b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
    contrary, the parties acknowledge that portions of Sections 3.6, 3.10, 3.13,
    and 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule have not been delivered as of
    the date hereof. The Company agrees that it will use best efforts to deliver
    all such portions of the Company Disclosure Schedule within three business
    days (or, as to any particular item, such greater number of days specified
    in the above-referenced sections of the Company Disclosure Schedule) after
    the execution of this Agreement on the date hereof. Following the Company's
    delivery of all such portions of the Company Disclosure Schedule, Parent
    shall have three business days thereafter to object in writing to the
    Company if any of the information set forth therein is materially different
    from the information previously provided to Parent in its due diligence
    review of the Company. If Parent so objects, the Company shall have three
    business days thereafter to resolve with Parent each of the matters to which
    Parent so objected. If Parent and the Company cannot resolve all such
    matters, the Chairman of each of Parent and the Company shall have five
    business days thereafter to resolve all such matters. If the Chairmen cannot
    do so, then, if the aggregate impact of such matters as to which Parent and
    the Company disagree could reasonably be expected to be equal in amount to
    at least one percent of the aggregate value of the Parent Common Stock
    delivered
 
                                      B-31
<PAGE>
    to the Company's shareholders in the Merger (based on the Parent Average
    Stock Price), then the provisions of Section 6.2(k) shall apply.
 
                                   ARTICLE 6
                               CLOSING CONDITIONS
 
    6.1  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT, MERGER SUBSIDIARY, AND THE
COMPANY.  The respective obligations of each party to consummate the Merger
shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of the following
conditions:
 
        (a)  NO INJUNCTION.  None of Parent, Merger Subsidiary, or the Company
    shall be subject to any final order, decree, or injunction of a court of
    competent jurisdiction within the United States that (i) prevents or
    materially delays the consummation of the Merger, or (ii) would impose any
    material limitation on the ability of Parent effectively to exercise full
    rights of ownership of the Company or the assets or business of the Company.
 
        (b)  SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.  The approval of the shareholders of the
    Company referred to in Section 5.4 hereof shall have been obtained, in
    accordance with the WBCA and the Company's Articles of Incorporation and
    Bylaws.
 
        (c)  REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  The Registration Statement (as amended or
    supplemented) shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and shall not
    be subject to any "stop order," and no action, suit, proceeding, or
    investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness or qualification
    thereof shall have been initiated and be continuing or have been threatened
    and be unresolved. Parent shall also have received all state securities law
    or blue sky authorizations necessary to carry out the transactions
    contemplated hereby.
 
        (d)  NYSE LISTING.  The shares of Parent Common Stock to be delivered
    pursuant to the Merger shall have been duly listed on the NYSE, subject to
    official notice of issuance.
 
        (e)  WAITING PERIODS.  The waiting periods applicable to the
    consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act and any Foreign Merger Laws
    shall have expired or been terminated.
 
    6.2  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT AND MERGER SUBSIDIARY.  The
respective obligations of Parent and Merger Subsidiary to consummate the Merger
shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of the following
additional conditions:
 
        (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE.  Each representation and
    warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement, without regard to any
    qualification or reference to immateriality or "Company Material Adverse
    Effect," shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on the Closing
    Date as though such representations and warranties were made on such date
    (except those representations and warranties that address matters only as of
    a particular date shall remain true and correct as of such date), except for
    any inaccuracies that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had, and
    would not have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
 
        (b)  PERFORMANCE.  The Company shall have performed and complied in all
    material respects with all agreements, obligations, and conditions required
    by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it on or prior to the
    Closing, and Parent shall have received a certificate to such effect signed
    by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
 
        (c)  CONSENTS.  The Company shall have obtained all permits,
    authorizations, consents, and approvals required on its part to perform its
    obligations under, and consummate the transactions contemplated by, this
    Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Parent, and Parent and
    Merger Subsidiary shall have received evidence satisfactory to them of the
    receipt of such permits, authorizations, consents, and approvals.
 
                                      B-32
<PAGE>
        (d)  OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY.  Parent and Merger Subsidiary
    shall have received an opinion of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, counsel to the
    Company, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably
    satisfactory to Parent, to the effect set forth in EXHIBIT F hereto.
 
        (e)  AFFILIATES' LETTERS.  Parent shall have received a letter from each
    of the Affiliates pursuant to Section 5.6 hereof.
 
        (f)  NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENTS.  Parent shall have received executed
    agreements from such persons, and in such form satisfactory to Parent, as
    described in Section 5.12 hereof.
 
        (g)  RESIGNATIONS.  Such officers and directors of the Company or of any
    Subsidiary as shall have been specified Parent shall have tendered their
    respective resignations effective as of the Effective Time.
 
        (h)  POOLING OPINION.  Parent shall have received each of the letters
    described in Section 5.15; provided, however, if within 10 business days
    after the date on which all other closing conditions of Section 6.1 and 6.3
    have been satisfied (including, but not limited to, receipt of the letters
    described in Section 5.15(A)), Parent has not received the letter described
    in Section 5.15(B)(ii) solely because of actions on the part of Parent or
    its shareholders who are affiliates which prevent the Merger from qualifying
    as a pooling of interests transaction, then the condition that such letter
    be received shall be deemed waived by Parent.
 
        (i)  CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OF KEY EXECUTIVES.  The chief executive
    officer and other executive employees of the Company designated in writing
    by Parent on or before the date of this Agreement shall have agreed to
    continue their employment with the Company following the Merger on such
    terms as are mutually satisfactory to Parent and such employees.
 
        (j)  SUBSIDIARY SHARES.  The transfer of Subsidiary shares as provided
    in Section 5.16 shall have occurred.
 
        (k)  DELIVERY OF SPECIFIED DOCUMENTS.  The Company shall have delivered
    or caused to be delivered to Parent, within five business days (or, as to
    any particular item, such greater number of days specified in Sections 3.6,
    3.10, 3.13, and 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule) after the execution
    of this Agreement on the date hereof, the above-referenced sections of the
    Company Disclosure Schedule described in Article 3, the affiliates' letters
    described in Section 5.6, the noncompetition agreements described in Section
    5.12, and the letters of PW dated the date of this Agreement described in
    Section 5.15. Further, each of the portions of the Company Disclosure
    Schedule as so delivered shall not contain information as to which Parent
    shall object and which cannot be resolved between Parent and the Company in
    the manner described in Section 5.20(b) and which has an aggregate impact at
    least equal to the amount described in Section 5.20(b); provided, however,
    that the condition described in this sentence shall expire unless Parent
    delivers written notice to the Company, within one business day after
    expiration of the final five-business-day period described in Section
    5.20(b) for resolution of the matters in dispute.
 
    6.3  CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.  The obligation of the
Company to consummate the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment at or prior
to the Closing of the following additional conditions:
 
        (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES TRUE.  Each representation and
    warranty of Parent contained in this Agreement, without regard to any
    qualification or reference to immateriality or "Parent Material Adverse
    Effect," shall be true and correct on the date of this Agreement and on the
    Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were made on such
    date (except those representations and warranties that address matters only
    as of a particular date shall remain true and correct as of such date),
    except for any inaccuracies that, individually or in the aggregate, have not
    had, and would not have, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
 
                                      B-33
<PAGE>
        (b)  PERFORMANCE.  Parent and Merger Subsidiary shall have performed and
    complied in all material respects with all agreements, obligations, and
    conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
    them on or prior to the Closing.
 
        (c)  CONSENTS.  Parent and Merger Subsidiary shall have obtained all
    permits, authorizations, consents, and approvals required on their part to
    perform their obligations under, and consummate the transactions
    contemplated by, this Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the
    Company, and the Company shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of
    the receipt of such permits, authorizations, consents, and approvals.
 
        (d)  OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR PARENT.  The Company shall have received an
    opinion of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., counsel to Parent, dated the Closing
    Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the
    effect set forth in EXHIBIT G hereto.
 
        (e)  TAX OPINION.  The Company shall have received an opinion of Preston
    Gates & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Company, to the effect that, subject to
    customary conditions and representations, the Merger will be treated for
    federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of
    Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code. This condition shall be deemed waived in
    the event that such tax opinion is not rendered because the Company or its
    shareholders have failed to provide such customary representations. The
    Company hereby agrees to provide to Parent a certificate setting forth the
    representations set forth in EXHIBIT H hereto which may be relied upon by
    such counsel in rendering such opinion, and Parent hereby agrees to provide
    to the Company a certificate setting forth the representations set forth in
    EXHIBIT I hereto which may be relied upon by such counsel in rendering such
    opinion.
 
                                   ARTICLE 7
                          TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
 
    7.1  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Effective Time, whether before or after approval by the shareholders of the
Company, only:
 
        (a) by mutual written consent duly authorized by the Board of Directors
    of Parent and the Board of Directors of the Company;
 
        (b) by either Parent or the Company if the Merger shall not have been
    consummated on or before December 1, 1998; provided, however, that the
    terminating party shall not have breached in any material respect its
    obligations under this Agreement in any manner that shall have been the
    proximate cause of, or resulted in, the failure to consummate the Merger by
    such date;
 
        (c) by either Parent or the Company if a court of competent jurisdiction
    or an administrative, governmental, or regulatory authority has issued a
    final nonappealable order, decree, or ruling, or taken any other action,
    having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining, or otherwise
    prohibiting the Merger;
 
        (d) by either Parent or the Company if, at the Company Shareholders
    Meeting, the requisite vote of the shareholders of the Company is not
    obtained, except that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
    Section 7.1(d) will not be available to any party whose failure to perform
    any material obligation under this Agreement has been the proximate cause
    of, or resulted in, the failure to obtain the requisite vote of the
    shareholders of the Company;
 
        (e) by Parent if either (i) the Company has breached its obligations
    under Section 5.2 in any material respect, (ii) the Board of Directors of
    the Company has recommended, approved, accepted, or entered into an
    agreement regarding, an Alternative Proposal, as defined in Section 5.2,
    (iii) the Board of Directors of the Company has withdrawn or modified in a
    manner adverse to Parent its recommendation of the Merger, or (iv) a tender
    offer or exchange offer under Section 14 of the 1934
 
                                      B-34
<PAGE>
    Act for 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock is
    commenced, and the Board of Directors of the Company, within 10 business
    days after such tender offer or exchange offer is so commenced, either fails
    to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by
    its shareholders or takes no position with respect to the acceptance of such
    tender offer or exchange offer by its shareholders;
 
        (f) by the Company if (i) it is not in material breach of its
    obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company
    has authorized acceptance of an Alternative Proposal, and (iii) the Company
    has paid to Parent the fee required by Section 7.2 to be paid to Parent in
    the manner therein provided;
 
        (g) by Parent if (i) Parent is not in material breach of its obligations
    under this Agreement and (ii) there has been a material breach by the
    Company of any of its representations, warranties, or obligations under this
    Agreement or by an Affiliate of the Company under the Affiliate's letter
    described in Section 5.6 such that the conditions in Section 6.2 will not be
    satisfied, and the breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured by the
    Company within 30 calendar days after receipt by the Company of written
    notice from Parent of such breach;
 
        (h) by the Company if (i) the Company is not in material breach of its
    obligations under this Agreement and (ii) there has been a material breach
    by Parent of any of its representations, warranties, or obligations under
    this Agreement such that the conditions in Section 6.3 will not be
    satisfied, and the breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured by
    Parent within 30 calendar days after receipt by Parent of written notice
    from the Company of such breach.
 
    7.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.
 
        (a) In recognition of the time, efforts, and expenses expended and
    incurred by Parent with respect to the Company and the opportunity that the
    acquisition of the Company presents to Parent, if:
 
           (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1(e) or
       7.1(f); or
 
           (ii) any third party makes an Alternative Proposal or acquires 15% or
       more of the outstanding Company Common Stock prior to the Company
       Shareholders Meeting, and either (A) the requisite vote of the
       shareholders of the Company to approve the Merger is not obtained or (B)
       the number of shares of Company Common Stock for which notice of exercise
       of dissenters' rights under WBCA has been given would prevent the Merger
       from qualifying as a pooling of interests for accounting purposes or (C)
       this Agreement is terminated (other than pursuant to Section 7.1(a), (b),
       (c) or (h)),
 
    then, in any such event, the Company will pay to Parent, upon the
    termination date in the event of termination pursuant to Section 7.1(f),
    within five business days after demand by Parent in the case of termination
    pursuant to Section 7.1(e), and immediately upon the first to occur of the
    failure to obtain the requisite shareholder vote or the termination of this
    Agreement in the case of the events specified in clause (ii) above (by wire
    transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Parent
    for such purpose), a fee equal to $15 million. The Company acknowledges that
    the agreements contained in this Section 7.2 are an integral part of the
    transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are not a penalty, and that,
    without these agreements, Parent would not enter into this Agreement. If the
    Company fails to pay promptly the fee due pursuant to this Section 7.2, the
    Company shall also pay to Parent Parent's costs and expenses (including
    legal fees and expenses) in connection with any action, including the filing
    of any lawsuit or other legal action, taken to collect payment, together
    with interest on the amount of the unpaid fee under this section, accruing
    from its due date, at an interest rate per annum equal to two percentage
    points in excess of the prime commercial lending rate quoted by Norwest Bank
    Minnesota, N.A. Any change in the interest rate
 
                                      B-35
<PAGE>
    hereunder resulting from a change in such prime rate shall be effective at
    the beginning of the day of such change in such prime rate.
 
        (b) Except as provided in the next sentence of this paragraph, in the
    event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to any paragraph of
    Section 7.1, the obligations of the parties to consummate the Merger will
    expire, and none of the parties will have any further obligations under this
    Agreement except pursuant to Sections 5.3, 5.7, and 7.2(a) and Article 8. In
    the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to any paragraph of
    Section 7.1 that is caused by a breach of a party, the party whose breach
    was the basis for the termination will not be relieved from any liability
    for its breach or its obligations pursuant to Section 7.2(a), and the other
    party will have no further obligations under this Agreement except as
    provided in Sections 5.3 and 5.7 and Article 8.
 
                                   ARTICLE 8
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
 
    8.1  AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION.  Subject to applicable law, this Agreement
may be amended, modified, or supplemented only by written agreement of Parent,
Merger Subsidiary, and the Company at any time prior to the Effective Time with
respect to any of the terms contained herein. This Agreement may not be amended
except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties
hereto.
 
    8.2  WAIVER OF COMPLIANCE; CONSENTS.  Any failure of Parent or Merger
Subsidiary on the one hand, or the Company on the other hand, to comply with any
obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition herein may be waived by the
Company or Parent, respectively, only by a written instrument signed by an
officer of the party granting such waiver, but such waiver or failure to insist
upon strict compliance with such obligation, covenant, agreement, or condition
shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or
other failure. Whenever this Agreement requires or permits consent by or on
behalf of any party hereto, such consent shall be given in writing. Merger
Subsidiary agrees that any consent or waiver of compliance given by Parent
hereunder shall be conclusively binding upon Merger Subsidiary, whether or not
given expressly on its behalf.
 
    8.3  INVESTIGATION; SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The
respective representations and warranties of Parent and the Company contained
herein or in any certificates or other documents delivered prior to or at the
Closing shall not be deemed waived or otherwise affected by any investigation
made by any party hereto. Each and every representation and warranty contained
herein shall be deemed to be conditions to the Merger and shall not survive the
Merger. This Section 8.3 shall have no effect upon any other obligation of the
parties hereto, whether to be performed before or after the Closing.
 
    8.4  NOTICES.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally by commercial
courier service or otherwise, or by telecopier, or three days after such notice
is mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as
shall be specified by like notice):
 
        (a) if to Parent or Merger Subsidiary, to it at:
 
           Medtronic, Inc.
           7000 Central Avenue, N.E.
           Minneapolis, MN 55432
 
           with separate copies thereof addressed to
 
           Attention:  General Counsel
                     FAX: (612) 572-5459
 
           and
 
                                      B-36
<PAGE>
           Attention:  Vice President and Chief Development Officer
                     FAX: (612) 572-5404
 
        (b) If to the Company, to it at:
 
           Physio-Control International Corporation
           11811 Willows Road N.E.
           Redmond, WA 98073-9706
           FAX: (425) 867-4142
           Attention:  Executive Vice President and General Counsel
 
           with a copy to:
 
           Preston Gates & Ellis LLP
           5000 Columbia Center
           701 Fifth Avenue
           Seattle, WA 98104-7078
           FAX: (206) 623-7022
           Attention:  C. Kent Carlson
 
    8.5  ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties, nor is
this Agreement intended to confer upon any other person except the parties
hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.
 
    8.6  GOVERNING LAW.  Except to the extent that Washington law is mandatorily
applicable to the Merger and the rights of the shareholders of the Company and
Merger Subsidiary, this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Minnesota (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable
Minnesota principles of conflicts of law).
 
    8.7  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
    8.8  KNOWLEDGE.  As used in this Agreement or the instruments, certificates
or other documents required hereunder, the term "knowledge" shall mean actual
knowledge of a fact or the knowledge that such person or, if such person is a
corporation, its directors, officers, or other key employees could reasonably be
expected to have based on reasonable investigation and inquiry. The knowledge of
an entity shall be deemed to include the knowledge of its subsidiaries.
 
    8.9  INTERPRETATION.  The Table of Contents, article and section headings
contained in this Agreement are inserted for reference purposes only and shall
not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement shall
be construed without regard to any presumption or other rule requiring the
resolution of any ambiguity regarding the interpretation or construction hereof
against the party causing this Agreement to be drafted.
 
    8.10  PUBLICITY.  Upon execution of this Agreement by Parent, Merger
Subsidiary, and the Company, the parties shall jointly issue a press release, as
agreed upon by them. The parties intend that all future statements or
communications to the public or press regarding this Agreement or the Merger
will be mutually agreed upon by them. Neither party shall, without such mutual
agreement or the prior consent of the other, issue any statement or
communication to the public or to the press regarding this Agreement, or any of
the terms, conditions, or other matters with respect to this Agreement, except
as required by law or the rules of the NYSE or Nasdaq and then only (a) upon the
advice of such party's legal counsel; (b) to the extent required by law or the
rules of the NYSE or Nasdaq; and (c) following prior notice to, and consultation
with, the other party (which notice shall include a copy of the proposed
statement or
 
                                      B-37
<PAGE>
communication to be issued to the press or public). The foregoing shall not
restrict Parent's or the Company's communications with their employees or
customers in the ordinary course of business.
 
    8.11  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, including the exhibits and
schedules hereto and the Confidentiality Agreement referred to herein, embodies
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the
subject matter contained herein. This Agreement and the Confidentiality
Agreement supersede all prior agreements and the understandings between the
parties with respect to such subject matter. Further, the provisions of this
Agreement supersede the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement relating to
the 21-day exclusivity period described therein.
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                MEDTRONIC, INC.
 
                                By:  /s/ Michael D. Ellwein
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Its Vice President
 
                                PC MERGER CORP.
 
                                By:  /s/ Michael D. Ellwein
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Its President
 
                                PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
 
                                By:  /s/ Richard O. Martin
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Its Chairman/CEO
</TABLE>
 
                                      B-38
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX C
                 TITLE 23B. WASHINGTON BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
                       CHAPTER 23B.13. DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
23B.13.010. DEFINITIONS
 
    As used in this chapter:
 
    (1) "Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before
the corporate action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or
share exchange of that issuer.
 
    (2) "Dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from
corporate action under RCW 23B.13.020 and who exercises that right when and in
the manner required by RCW 23B.13.200 through 23B.13.280.
 
    (3) "Fair value," with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value of
the shares immediately before the effective date of the corporate action to
which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in
anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would be inequitable.
 
    (4) "Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate
action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the
corporation on its principal bank loans or, if none, at a rate that is fair and
equitable under all the circumstances.
 
    (5) "Record shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are
registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to
the extent of the rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a
corporation.
 
    (6) "Beneficial shareholder" means the person who is a beneficial owner of
shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
 
    (7) "Shareholder" means the record shareholder or the beneficial
shareholder.
 
23B.13.020. RIGHT TO DISSENT
 
    (1) A shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the
fair value of the shareholder's shares in the event of, any of the following
corporate actions:
 
        (a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party
    (i) if shareholder approval is required for the merger by RCW 23B.11.030,
    23B.11.080, or the articles of incorporation and the shareholder is entitled
    to vote on the merger, or (ii) if the corporation is a subsidiary that is
    merged with its parent under RCW 23B.11.040;
 
        (b) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is
    a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, if the shareholder
    is entitled to vote on the plan;
 
        (c) Consummation of a sale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of
    the property of the corporation other than in the usual and regular course
    of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or exchange,
    including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to court
    order or a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially
    all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the shareholders
    within one year after the date of sale;
 
        (d) An amendment of the articles of incorporation that materially
    reduces the number of shares owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a
    share if the fractional share so created is to be acquired for cash under
    RCW 23B.06.040; or
 
        (e) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the
    extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board
    of directors provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to
    dissent and obtain payment for their shares.
 
                                      C-1
<PAGE>
    (2) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for the
shareholder's shares under this chapter may not challenge the corporate action
creating the shareholder's entitlement unless the action fails to comply with
the procedural requirements imposed by this title, RCW 25.10.900 through
25.10.955, the articles of incorporation, or the bylaws, or is fraudulent with
respect to the shareholder or the corporation.
 
    (3) The right of a dissenting shareholder to obtain payment of the fair
value of the shareholder's shares shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one
of the following events:
 
        (a) The proposed corporate action is abandoned or rescinded;
 
        (b) A court having jurisdiction permanently enjoins or sets aside the
    corporate action; or
 
        (c) The shareholder's demand for payment is withdrawn with the written
    consent of the corporation.
 
23B.13.030. DISSENT BY NOMINEES AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
 
    (1) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all
the shares registered in the shareholder's name only if the shareholder dissents
with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the
corporation in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf
the shareholder asserts dissenters' rights. The rights of a partial dissenter
under this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which the dissenter
dissents and the dissenter's other shares were registered in the names of
different shareholders.
 
    (2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to shares held
on the beneficial shareholder's behalf only if:
 
        (a) The beneficial shareholder submits to the corporation the record
    shareholder's written consent to the dissent not later than the time the
    beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and
 
        (b) The beneficial shareholder does so with respect to all shares of
    which such shareholder is the beneficial shareholder or over which such
    shareholder has power to direct the vote.
 
23B.13.200. NOTICE OF DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
 
    (1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW
23B.13.020 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the meeting notice
must state that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights
under this chapter and be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
 
    (2) If corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is
taken without a vote of shareholders, the corporation, within ten days after
[the] effective date of such corporate action, shall notify in writing all
shareholders entitled to assert dissenters' rights that the action was taken and
send them the dissenters' notice described in RCW 23B.13.220.
 
23B.13.210. NOTICE OF INTENT TO DEMAND PAYMENT
 
    (1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW
23B.13.020 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, a shareholder who
wishes to assert dissenters' rights must (a) deliver to the corporation before
the vote is taken written notice of the shareholder's intent to demand payment
for the shareholder's shares if the proposed action is effected, and (b) not
vote such shares in favor of the proposed action.
 
    (2) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) of
this section is not entitled to payment for the shareholder's shares under this
chapter.
 
                                      C-2
<PAGE>
23B.13.220. DISSENTERS' NOTICE
 
    (1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under RCW
23B.13.020 is authorized at a shareholders' meeting, the corporation shall
deliver a written dissenters' notice to all shareholders who satisfied the
requirements of RCW 23B.13.210.
 
    (2) The dissenters' notice must be sent within ten days after the effective
date of the corporate action, and must:
 
        (a) State where the payment demand must be sent and where and when
    certificates for certificated shares must be deposited;
 
        (b) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of
    the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received;
 
        (c) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the
    first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the
    proposed corporate action and requires that the person asserting dissenters'
    rights certify whether or not the person acquired beneficial ownership of
    the shares before that date;
 
        (d) Set a date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand,
    which date may not be fewer than thirty nor more than sixty days after the
    date the notice in subsection (1) of this section is delivered; and
 
        (e) Be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
 
23B.13.230. DUTY TO DEMAND PAYMENT
 
    (1) A shareholder sent a dissenters' notice described in RCW 23B.13.220 must
demand payment, certify whether the shareholder acquired beneficial ownership of
the shares before the date required to be set forth in the dissenters' notice
pursuant to RCW 23B.13.220(2)(c), and deposit the shareholder's certificates in
accordance with the terms of the notice.
 
    (2) The shareholder who demands payment and deposits the shareholder's share
certificates under subsection (1) of this section retains all other rights of a
shareholder until the proposed corporate action is effected.
 
    (3) A shareholder who does not demand payment or deposit the shareholder's
share certificates where required, each by the date set in the dissenters'
notice, is not entitled to payment for the shareholder's shares under this
chapter.
 
23B.13.240. SHARE RESTRICTIONS
 
    (1) The corporation may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from
the date the demand for their payment is received until the proposed corporate
action is effected or the restriction is released under RCW 23B.13.260.
 
    (2) The person for whom dissenters' rights are asserted as to uncertificated
shares retains all other rights of a shareholder until the effective date of the
proposed corporate action.
 
23B.13.250. PAYMENT
 
    (1) Except as provided in RCW 23B.13.270, within thirty days of the later of
the effective date of the proposed corporate action, or the date the payment
demand is received, the corporation shall pay each dissenter who complied with
RCW 23B.13.230 the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the
shareholder's shares, plus accrued interest.
 
                                      C-3
<PAGE>
    (2) The payment must be accompanied by:
 
        (a) The corporation's balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year
    ending not more than sixteen months before the date of payment, an income
    statement for that year, a statement of changes in shareholders' equity for
    that year, and the latest available interim financial statements, if any;
 
        (b) An explanation of how the corporation estimated the fair value of
    the shares;
 
        (c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
 
        (d) A statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under RCW
    23B.13.280; and
 
        (e) A copy of this chapter.
 
23B.13.260. FAILURE TO TAKE ACTION
 
    (1) If the corporation does not effect the proposed action within sixty days
after the date set for demanding payment and depositing share certificates, the
corporation shall return the deposited certificates and release any transfer
restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares.
 
    (2) If after returning deposited certificates and releasing transfer
restrictions, the corporation wishes to undertake the proposed action, it must
send a new dissenters' notice under RCW 23B.13.220 and repeat the payment demand
procedure.
 
23B.13.270. AFTER-ACQUIRED SHARES
 
    (1) A corporation may elect to withhold payment required by RCW 23B.13.250
from a dissenter unless the dissenter was the beneficial owner of the shares
before the date set forth in the dissenters' notice as the date of the first
announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed
corporate action.
 
    (2) To the extent the corporation elects to withhold payment under
subsection (1) of this section, after taking the proposed corporate action, it
shall estimate the fair value of the shares, plus accrued interest, and shall
pay this amount to each dissenter who agrees to accept it in full satisfaction
of the dissenter's demand. The corporation shall send with its offer an
explanation of how it estimated the fair value of the shares, an explanation of
how the interest was calculated, and a statement of the dissenter's right to
demand payment under RCW 23B.13.280.
 
23B.13.280. PROCEDURE IF SHAREHOLDER DISSATISFIED WITH PAYMENT OR OFFER
 
    (1) A dissenter may notify the corporation in writing of the dissenter's own
estimate of the fair value of the dissenter's shares and amount of interest due,
and demand payment of the dissenter's estimate, less any payment under RCW
23B.13.250, or reject the corporation's offer under RCW 23B.13.270 and demand
payment of the dissenter's estimate of the fair value of the dissenter's shares
and interest due, if:
 
        (a) The dissenter believes that the amount paid under RCW 23B.13.250 or
    offered under RCW 23B.13.270 is less than the fair value of the dissenter's
    shares or that the interest due is incorrectly calculated;
 
        (b) The corporation fails to make payment under RCW 23B.13.250 within
    sixty days after the date set for demanding payment; or
 
        (c) The corporation does not effect the proposed action and does not
    return the deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions
    imposed on uncertificated shares within sixty days after the date set for
    demanding payment.
 
                                      C-4
<PAGE>
    (2) A dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section unless
the dissenter notifies the corporation of the dissenter's demand in writing
under subsection (1) of this section within thirty days after the corporation
made or offered payment for the dissenter's shares.
 
23B.13.300. COURT ACTION
 
    (1) If a demand for payment under RCW 23B.13.280 remains unsettled, the
corporation shall commence a proceeding within sixty days after receiving the
payment demand and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares
and accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within
the sixty-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled
the amount demanded.
 
    (2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in the superior court of
the county where a corporation's principal office, or, if none in this state,
its registered office, is located. If the corporation is a foreign corporation
without a registered office in this state, it shall commence the proceeding in
the county in this state where the registered office of the domestic corporation
merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign corporation was
located.
 
    (3) The corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of
this state, whose demands remain unsettled, parties to the proceeding as in an
action against their shares and all parties must be served with a copy of the
petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by
publication as provided by law.
 
    (4) The corporation may join as a party to the proceeding any shareholder
who claims to be a dissenter but who has not, in the opinion of the corporation,
complied with the provisions of this chapter. If the court determines that such
shareholder has not complied with the provisions of this chapter, the
shareholder shall be dismissed as a party.
 
    (5) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under
subsection (2) of this section is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint
one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend decision on
the question of fair value. The appraisers have the powers described in the
order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters are entitled to
the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
 
    (6) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment
(a) for the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of the
dissenter's shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation,
or (b) for the fair value, plus accrued interest, of the dissenter's
after-acquired shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment
under RCW 23B.13.270.
 
23B.13.310. COURT COSTS AND COUNSEL FEES
 
    (1) The court in a proceeding commenced under RCW 23B.13.300 shall determine
all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses
of appraisers appointed by the court. The court shall assess the costs against
the corporation, except that the court may assess the costs against all or some
of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court
finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in
demanding payment under RCW 23B.13.280.
 
    (2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts
for the respective parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
 
        (a) Against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the
    court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the
    requirements of RCW 23B.13.200 through 23B.13.280; or
 
                                      C-5
<PAGE>
        (b) Against either the corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any other
    party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses
    are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with
    respect to the rights provided by chapter 23B.13 RCW.
 
    (3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were
of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees
for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may
award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the
dissenters who were benefited.
 
                                      C-6
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX D
 
MORGAN STANLEY
 
                                MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
                                INCORPORATED
                                2725 SAND HILL ROAD
                                BUILDING C - SUITE 200
                                MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025
 
                                June 27, 1998
 
Board of Directors
Physio-Control International Corporation
11811 Willows Road N.E.
Redmond, WA 98052
 
Members of the Board:
 
    We understand that Physio-Control International Corporation
("Physio-Control"), Medtronic, Inc. ("Medtronic") and PC Merger Corp.
("Acquisition Sub"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, have entered into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1998 (the "Merger
Agreement"), which provides, among other things, for the merger (the "Merger")
of Acquisition Sub with and into Physio-Control. Pursuant to the Merger,
Physio-Control will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic and each
issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
Physio-Control (the "Physio-Control Common Stock"), other than shares held in
treasury or held by Medtronic or any affiliate of Medtronic or as to which
dissenters' rights have been perfected, will be converted into the right to
receive a certain number of shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share,
of Medtronic (the "Medtronic Common Stock") determined pursuant to a certain
formula set forth in the Merger Agreement. The terms and conditions of the
Merger are more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement.
 
    You have asked for our opinion as to whether the consideration to be
received by the holders of Physio-Control Common Stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement is fair from a financial point of view to such holders.
 
    For purposes of the opinion set forth herein, we have:
 
     (i) reviewed certain publicly available financial statements and other
         information of Physio-Control and Medtronic, respectively;
 
     (ii) reviewed certain internal financial statements and other financial and
          operating data concerning Physio-Control prepared by the management of
          Physio-Control;
 
    (iii) discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and
          the prospects of Physio-Control, including information relating to
          certain strategic, financial and operational benefits, anticipated
          from the Merger, with senior executives of Physio-Control;
 
     (iv) discussed the past and current operations and financial condition and
          the prospects of Medtronic, including information relating to certain
          strategic, financial and operational benefits anticipated from the
          Merger, with senior executives of Medtronic;
 
     (v) reviewed the pro forma impact of the Merger on the earnings per share
         of Medtronic;
 
     (vi) reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for the
          Physio-Control Common Stock and the Medtronic Common Stock;
 
    (vii) compared the financial performance of Physio-Control and Medtronic and
          the prices and trading activity of the Physio-Control Common Stock and
          the Medtronic Common Stock with that of certain other publicly-traded
          companies and their securities;
 
                                      D-1
<PAGE>
   (viii) reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
          certain comparable acquisition transactions;
 
     (ix) reviewed and discussed with the senior management of Physio-Control
          the strategic rationale for the Merger and certain alternatives to the
          Merger;
 
     (x) reviewed and discussed with the senior management of Medtronic the
         strategic rationale for the Merger;
 
     (xi) participated in discussions and negotiations among representatives of
          Physio-Control and Medtronic and their financial and legal advisors;
 
    (xii) reviewed the Merger Agreement and certain related agreements; and
 
   (xiii) performed such other analysis and considered such other factors as we
          have deemed appropriate.
 
    We have assumed and relied upon without independent verification the
accuracy and completeness of the information reviewed by us for the purposes of
this opinion. With respect to the internal financial statements of
Physio-Control and other financial and operating data and information relating
to the strategic, financial and operational benefits, anticipated from the
Merger provided by Physio-Control and Medtronic, we have assumed that they have
been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of the prospects of Physio-Control and Medtronic,
respectively. We have not made any independent valuation or appraisal of the
assets, liabilities or technology of Physio-Control, nor have we been furnished
with any such appraisals. We have assumed that the Merger will be accounted for
as a "pooling-of-interests" business combination in accordance with U.S.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the Merger will be treated as a
tax-free reorganization and/or exchange pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. We have also assumed that the Merger will be consummated in
accordance with the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement. Our opinion is
necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and
the information made available to us as of, the date hereof.
 
    We have acted as financial advisor to the Board of Directors of
Physio-Control in connection with this transaction and will receive a fee for
our services. In the past, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and its affiliates
have provided financial advisory and financing services for Physio-Control and
have received fees for the rendering of these services.
 
    It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of Physio-Control and may not be used for any other purpose without
our prior written consent, except that this opinion may be included in its
entirety in any filing made by Physio-Control in respect of the transaction with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, this opinion does not in
any manner address the prices at which the Medtronic Common Stock will actually
trade at any time and we express no recommendation or opinion as to how the
holders of Physio-Control Common Stock should vote at the shareholders' meeting
held in conjunction with the Merger.
 
    Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion on the date
hereof that the consideration to be received by the holders of Physio-Control
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair from a financial point of
view to such holders.
 
   
                                Very truly yours,
 
                                MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
 
                                By:  /s/ Mark S. Menell
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Mark S. Menell
                                     Principal
 
    
 
                                      D-2
<PAGE>

                                    PART II

                      INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521, subd. 2, requires Medtronic to 
indemnify a person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by 
reason of the former or present official capacity of the person with respect 
to Medtronic, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements, and 
reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and disbursements, incurred by 
the person in connection with the proceeding if certain statutory standards 
are met.  In addition, Section 302A.521, subd. 3, requires payment by 
Medtronic, upon written request, of reasonable expenses in advance of final 
disposition of the proceeding in certain circumstances.  A decision as to 
required indemnification is made by a disinterested majority of the Board of 
Directors present at a meeting at which a disinterested quorum is present, or 
by a designated committee of the Board, by special legal counsel, by the 
shareholders, or by a court. Section 302A.521 contains detailed terms 
regarding such right of indemnification and reference is made thereto for a 
complete statement of such indemnification rights.

     Medtronic's Bylaws provide for indemnification by Medtronic to the full 
extent permitted by Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521, as now enacted or 
hereafter amended, against and with respect to threatened, pending, or 
completed actions, suits, or proceedings arising from, or alleged to arise 
from, a party's actions or omissions as a director, officer, employee, or 
agent of Medtronic or any subsidiary of Medtronic or of any other 
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise that has 
served in such capacity at the request of Medtronic if such acts or omissions 
occurred, or were or are alleged to have occurred, while such party was a 
director or officer of Medtronic. Generally, under Minnesota law, 
indemnification will be available only where an officer or director can 
establish that he or she acted in good faith and in a manner such person 
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of 
Medtronic.  As permitted by Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521, Medtronic's 
Restated Articles of Incorporation provide that a director shall have no 
personal liability to Medtronic or its shareholders for breach of his or her 
fiduciary duty as a director, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

     In addition to providing indemnification as outlined above, Medtronic 
also purchases individual insurance coverage for its directors and officers.  
Subject to the stated conditions, the policy insures the directors and 
officers of Medtronic against liability arising out of actions taken in their 
official capacities.  To the extent that such actions cannot be indemnified 
by Medtronic, the policy provides individual liability insurance protection 
for the directors and officers of Medtronic. 

Item 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     (a)    Exhibits

   
     2*     Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 27, 1998, by and among
            Medtronic, Inc., Physio-Control International Corporation, and PC
            Merger Corp., including the Exhibits thereto. (The Agreement and 
            Plan of Merger and Exhibit A thereto are furnished as Appendices 
            B and A, respectively, to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus forming 
            a part of this Registration Statement.)  Upon the request of 
            the Commission, Medtronic agrees to furnish supplementally to the
            Commission a copy of any disclosure schedules to the Agreement and
            Plan of Merger.
    

   
     5**    Opinion and Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. regarding validity
            of shares.
    


                                     II-1
<PAGE>

   
     8**    Opinion and Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP regarding certain
            tax matters.
    

     23.1** Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. (included in Exhibit 5).
   
     23.2** Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP regarding certain tax matters
            (included in Exhibit 8).
    
   
     23.3** Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants for
            Medtronic, Inc. 
    

   
     23.4** Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants for
            Physio-Control International Corporation.
    

   
     23.5*  Consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
    

   
     24*    Power of Attorney.
    

   
     99.1** Form of Proxy to be used by Physio-Control International Corporation
            shareholders.
    

     (b)    Financial Statement Schedules.

            Not applicable.

     (c)    Reports, Opinions and Appraisals Materially Related to the
            Transaction.

            Opinion of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is furnished as 
            Appendix D to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus forming a part of this
            Registration Statement.

   
     ---------
     *  Filed with the Registration Statement to which this Pre-Effective
        No. 1 Amendment relates.
     ** Filed herewith.
    

Item 22. UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes 
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of 
the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an 
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the 
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement 
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such 
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering 
thereof.

     (b)    (i)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:  
that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder 
through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, 
by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning 
of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will 
contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with 
respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition 
to the information called for by the other Items of the applicable form.

            (ii)  The registrant undertakes that every prospectus [a] that is 
filed pursuant to 


                                     II-2
<PAGE>

paragraph (b)(i) immediately preceding, or [b] that purports to meet the 
requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act and is used in 
connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed 
as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used 
until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any 
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective 
amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the 
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time 
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and 
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public 
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other 
than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a 
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful 
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, 
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being 
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the 
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of 
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is 
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed 
by the final adjudication of such issue.

     (d)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to 
requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the 
prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one 
business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated 
documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means.  This includes 
information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of 
the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

     (e)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means 
of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and 
the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and 
included in the registration statement when it became effective. 


                                     II-3
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 
Registrant has duly caused this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the 
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on 
August 26, 1998.
    

                                       MEDTRONIC, INC.


                                       By /s/ William W. George
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          William W. George, Chairman
                                          and Chief Executive Officer


                                     II-4
<PAGE>

   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this 
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed 
on August 26, 1998 by the following persons in the capacities indicated.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                       Title
- ---------                       -----
<S>                             <C>                                           <C>
/s/ William W. George           Chairman, Chief Executive                     August 26, 1998
- ------------------------        Officer and Director (principal    
William W. George               executive officer)  


/s/ Robert L. Ryan              Senior Vice President and                     August 26, 1998
- ------------------------        Chief Financial Officer  
Robert L. Ryan                  (principal financial and accounting     
                                officer)  

             *                  Vice Chairman and Director    )
- ------------------------
Glen D. Nelson, M.D.                                          )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
William R. Brody, M.D., Ph.D.                                 )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )         * By /s/ Ronald E. Lund
- -----------------------------                                                ---------------------
Paul W. Chellgren                                             )              Ronald E. Lund
                                                              )              Attorney-in-Fact
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------                                                Date: August 26, 1998
Arthur D. Collins, Jr.                                        )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D.                                   )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D.                                      )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Thomas E. Holloran                                            )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Richard L. Schall                                             )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Jack W. Schuler                                               )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Gerald W. Simonson                                            )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Gordon M. Sprenger                                            )
                                                              )
             *                  Director                      )
- -----------------------------
Richard A. Swalin, Ph.D.                                      )
                                                              
                                Director                      
- -----------------------------
Jean-Pierre Rosso

</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>
                                       
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549

                             _____________________

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                       TO
                        FORM S-4 REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                             _____________________

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                MEDTRONIC, INC.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit   Description
- -------   -----------
<S>       <C>
2*        Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 27, 1998, by and among 
          Medtronic, Inc., Physio-Control International Corporation, and PC 
          Merger Corp., including the Exhibits thereto (The Agreement and 
          Plan of Merger and Exhibit A thereto are furnished as Appendices B 
          and A, respectively, to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus forming a 
          part of this Registration Statement.)

5         Opinion and Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. regarding validity 
          of shares

8         Opinion and Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP regarding certain 
          tax matters

23.1      Consent of Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. (included in Exhibit 5)

23.2      Consent of Preston Gates & Ellis LLP regarding certain tax matters 
          (included in Exhibit 8)

23.3      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants for 
          Medtronic, Inc.

23.4      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants for 
          Physio-Control International Corporation

23.5*     Consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated 

24*       Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors
 
99.1      Form of Proxy to be used by Physio-Control International 
          Corporation  shareholders

</TABLE>
    

   
          ---------
          * Previously filed.
    


<PAGE>


                                                                      EXHIBIT 5
   
                            FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                           1100 International Centre
                            900 Second Avenue South
                          Minneapolis, MN  55402-3397
                                 (612) 347-7000
                              FAX: (612) 347-7077

                                August 27, 1998
    

Medtronic, Inc.
7000 Central Avenue N.E.
Minneapolis, Minnesota  55432

     Re:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4

Ladies/Gentlemen:
   
     We are acting as counsel for Medtronic, Inc. (the "Company"), a 
Minnesota corporation, in connection with the registration by the Company of 
10,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.10 (the 
"Shares"), each of which shares includes the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights 
attached thereto (the "Rights"), pursuant to the Company's Pre-Effective 
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 being filed with 
the Securities and Commission (the "Registration Statement").  The Shares and 
the Rights are to be issued in connection with the merger of PC Merger Corp. 
("Merger Subsidiary"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, with and 
into Physio-Control International Corporation ("Physio-Control"), pursuant to 
the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 27, 1998 by and among the 
Company, Merger Subsidiary and Physio-Control (the "Merger Agreement").
    
     In connection with rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied 
upon originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our 
satisfaction, of such corporate records, agreements and other instruments, 
certificates of officers, certificates of public officials and other 
documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the 
opinions expressed herein.

     In connection with our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of 
all signatures, the authenticity of all documents tendered to us as 
originals, the legal capacity of all natural persons and the conformity to 
original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or 
photostatic copies.

     Based on, and subject to, the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

     1.  The Company has the corporate authority to issue the Shares and the 
Rights in the manner and under the terms set forth in the Registration 
Statement.

     2.  The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered 
to holders of Physio-Control common stock in accordance with the Merger 
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     3.  The Rights have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered 
in accordance with the Shareholder Rights Plan referred to in the 
Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

<PAGE>
   
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to 
the Pre-Effective Amendement No. 1 to the Registration Statement, to its use 
as a part of the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the 
caption "Legal Matters" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus constituting a part 
of the Registration Statement.
    

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

                                       FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.

<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT 8

   
                          PRESTON GATES & ELLIS LLP
                                ATTORNEYS 
                        701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5000
                       Seatle, Washington 98104-7078
                             (206) 623-7580
    

   
August 26, 1998
    


Physio-Control International Corporation
11811 Willows Road N.E.
Redmond, WA 98073-9706

Re:  Merger of PC Merger Corp., a Washington corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc. with and into Physio-Control International
Corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Physio-Control International Corporation ("Company")
in connection with the planned merger (the "Merger") into Company of PC Merger
Corp., a Washington corporation ("Merger Subsidiary"), which is a newly formed
and wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc., a Minnesota corporation
("Parent"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 27,
1998 (the "Agreement") by and among Company, Parent, and Merger Subsidiary. 
This opinion is being delivered to you pursuant to Section 6.3(e) of the
Agreement.  Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms shall have the meaning
assigned to such terms in the Agreement.  All section references unless
otherwise indicated are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code").

For the purpose of rendering this opinion, we have examined and are relying upon
(without any independent investigation or review thereof) the truth and accuracy
at all relevant times of the statements, covenants, representations and
warranties contained in the following documents:

     the Agreement;

     the Proxy Statement/Prospectus jointly filed by the Company and Parent with
     the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in connection with the
     Merger (the "Proxy Statement/Prospectus");

     the representation letters dated the date hereof which were provided to us
     by Company and Parent, forms of which are attached hereto as exhibits; and

     such other instruments and documents related to the formation,
     organization, and operation of the Company, Parent and Merger Subsidiary,
     the consummation of the Merger, and the transactions contemplated thereby
     as we deemed necessary or appropriate.

In reviewing these documents, we have assumed that original documents (including
signatures) are authentic, documents submitted to us as copies conform to the
original documents, and there 

<PAGE>

has been, or will be by the Effective Time, due execution and delivery of all
documents where executions and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness
thereof.  In addition, we assume that the Merger will be consummated in
accordance with the Agreement and as described in the Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus.

Any inaccuracy in any of the aforementioned statements, representations, and
assumptions or breach of any of the aforementioned covenants could adversely
affect our opinion.

On the basis of and subject to the foregoing and subject to the limitations set
forth below, it is our opinion that, under presently applicable federal income
tax law, the Merger will be a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of
sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code and that the Company, Parent
and Merger Subsidiary will each be "a party to a reorganization" within the
meaning of section 368(b) of the Code.  As a result, the following U.S. federal
income tax consequences will occur:

     No gain or loss will be recognized by Company as a result of the Merger.

     No gain or loss will be recognized by holders of Company Common Stock upon
     their receipt in the Merger of Parent Common Stock in exchange therefor.

     The tax basis of the shares of Parent Common Stock received by a Company
     shareholder in the Merger will be the same as the tax basis of the Company
     Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor.

     The holding period of the shares of Parent Common Stock received by a
     Company shareholder in the Merger will include the holding period of the
     Company Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor, provided that such
     shares of Company Common Stock are held as capital assets at the Effective
     Time.

     Gain or loss will be recognized with respect to cash received in lieu of
     fractional shares of Parent Common Stock in an amount equal to the
     difference between the cash received and the basis that such shareholder
     would have had in such fractional share of Parent Common Stock if such
     fractional share had actually been received.

It is also our opinion that the discussion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus 
under the caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" insofar it 
constitutes statements of United States federal income tax law or legal 
conclusions, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualification set 
forth therein, is a fair and accurate summary of such matters.

Our opinions are based on our interpretation of the Code, applicable Treasury
regulations, judicial authority, and administrative rulings and practice, all as
of the date hereof.  There can be no assurance that future legislative, judicial
or administrative changes or interpretations will not adversely affect the
accuracy of the conclusions set forth herein.  We do not undertake to advise you
as to any such future changes or interpretations unless we are specifically
retained to do so.  Our opinion will not be binding upon the Internal Revenue
Service (the "Service"), and the Service will not be precluded from adopting a
contrary position.

<PAGE>

No opinion is expressed as to any matter not specifically addressed above
including, without limitation, the tax consequences of the Merger under any
foreign, state, or local tax law or the tax consequences of any transaction
other than the Merger.  Moreover, tax consequences which are different from or
in addition to those described herein may apply to Company shareholders who are
subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as
foreign persons and persons who acquired their shares in compensatory
transactions.

If the Service successfully challenged the status of the Merger as a tax-free
reorganization, a Company shareholder would recognize a gain or loss in an
amount equal to the difference between the shareholder's basis in his or her
Company Common Stock and the fair market value, as of the Effective Time, of the
Parent Common Stock received in exchange therefor.  In such event, the
shareholder's basis in the Parent Common Stock so received would be equal to its
fair market value as of the Effective Time, and the holding period for such
stock would begin on the day after the Effective Time.  A Company shareholder
would also recognize gain or loss on any cash received in lieu of fractional
shares in an amount equal to the difference between the cash received and the
basis that such shareholder would have had in such fractional share of Parent
Common Stock if such fractional share had actually been received.

   
This opinion may not be relied upon by any person other than the Company 
and its shareholders; nor may it be filed with any governmental agency or be 
used for any other purpose; except that we hereby consent to the filing of 
this opinion as an exhibit to the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Medtronic, Inc. in which the Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus forms a part, and to the references to Preston Gates & 
Ellis LLP under the captions "The Merger--Federal Income Tax Consequences" 
and "Legal Matters" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. 
    

                              Very truly yours,

                              Preston Gates & Ellis LLP



   
                              By /s/ Lance W. Behnke
    
                                   Lance W. Behnke
Attachments

     


<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.3
                                       
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


   
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus constituting part of this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 
to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Medtronic, Inc. of our report 
dated May 26, 1998, which appears on page 5 of Medtronic's 1998 Annual 
Report--Financial Review, which is incorporated by reference in its Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1998. We also consent to the 
incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial Statement Schedule, 
which appears on page 13 of such Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent 
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus.
    


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

   
Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 25, 1998
    


<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.4

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


   
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Proxy 
Statement/Prospectus constituting part of this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 
to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Medtronic, Inc. of our report 
dated January 27, 1998, appearing on page 21 of Physio-Control International 
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 
1997.  We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the 
Financial Statement Schedule, which appears on page 47 of such Annual Report 
on Form 10-K.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading 
"Experts" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. 
    

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

   
Seattle, Washington
August 25, 1998
    


<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1
<PAGE>
   
                    PHYSIO-CONTROL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    
                        SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
 
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
 
   
    The undersigned shareholder hereby appoints Richard O. Martin and V. Marc
Droppert and each of them as proxies, each with full power of substitution, to
vote as designated below all shares of common stock of Physio-Control
International Corporation held of record as of August 26, 1998, which the
undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Special
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on September 29, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local
time, at 11811 Willows Road NE, Redmond, Washington, and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, upon the following matters:
    
 
    Proposal to approve the Plan of Merger and the Agreement and Plan of Merger
providing for the merger of PC Merger Corp. into Physio-Control International
Corporation, with Physio-Control International Corporation to be the surviving
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Medtronic, Inc., copies of which
Plan of Merger and Agreement and Plan of Merger are attached as Appendices A and
B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the Special Meeting.
 
            / /  FOR            / /  AGAINST            / /  ABSTAIN
 
   
    This proxy will be voted as specified by the shareholder, but if no choice
is specified, this proxy will be voted FOR approval of the Plan of Merger and
the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
    
 
   
            (CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON THE OTHER SIDE)
    
<PAGE>
    IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as name or names appear on this Proxy. Joint
owners should each sign personally. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as such. When
signing as a corporation or a partnership, please sign in the name of the entity
by an authorized person.
   
                                              Dated: ______________________,1998
    
                                              __________________________________
                                               (Please sign name exactly as it
                                                       appears hereon)
                                              __________________________________
                                              (Signature of joint owner, if any)
 
   
                                              PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN
                                              THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
                                              RETURN ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO
                                              POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
                                              STATES. IF AN ENVELOPE IS NOT
                                              ENCLOSED OR HAS BEEN MISPLACED,
                                              PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED PROXY
                                              TO INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, 501
                                              MADISON AVENUE, 20TH FLOOR, NEW
                                              YORK, NEW YORK 10022.
    


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