MEDTRONIC INC
DEF 14A, 1999-07-21
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14a-101)
                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

               PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
                SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )

Filed by the registrant [X]

Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ]  Preliminary proxy statement
[X]  Definitive proxy statement
[ ]  Definitive additional materials
[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
[ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
     14a-6(e)(2))

                                 MEDTRONIC, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]  No fee required
[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transactions applies:

     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
          pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11. (Set forth the amount on which the
          filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined.)

     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

     (5)  Total fee paid:

[ ]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
     0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
     previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
     or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1)  Amount previously paid:

     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

     (3)  Filing party:

     (4)  Date filed:

<PAGE>


                                     [LOGO]
                                    MEDTRONIC
                     WHEN LIFE DEPENDS ON MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY


                            7000 Central Avenue N.E.
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55432
                             Telephone: 612-514-4000



                                  July 21, 1999



Dear Shareholder:

     You are cordially invited to join us for our Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held this year on Wednesday, August 25, 1999, at 10:30 a.m. (CDT) at
Medtronic's Corporate Center at its Rice Creek facility, 7000 Central Avenue
N.E., Minneapolis (Fridley), Minnesota.

     The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Proxy Statement that
follow describe the business to be conducted at the meeting. We will also report
on matters of current interest to our shareholders.

     We invite you to join us beginning at 10:00 a.m. to view Medtronic's
product displays and talk with our employees.

     YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether you own a few or many shares of stock, it
is important that your shares be represented. If you cannot personally attend,
we encourage you to make certain that you are represented at the meeting by
voting by telephone or internet as described in the enclosed instructions or by
signing the accompanying proxy card and promptly returning it in the enclosed
envelope.


Sincerely,

/s/ William W. George

William W. George
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>


                            NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
                                 OF SHAREHOLDERS

                           WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1999




To Our Shareholders:

     The 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Medtronic, Inc. will be held
Wednesday, August 25, 1999, at the Medtronic, Inc. Corporate Center at its Rice
Creek facility, 7000 Central Avenue N.E., Minneapolis (Fridley), Minnesota, at
10:30 a.m. (CDT) for the following purposes:

     1.   To set the size of the Board at 14 directors and to elect four Class I
          directors for three-year terms.

     2.   To approve an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of
          Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common Stock the
          Company is authorized to issue.

     3.   To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's Management
          Incentive Plan.

     4.   To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's 1994 Stock
          Award Plan.

     5.   To approve appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company's
          independent auditors.

     6.   To take action on any other business that may properly be considered
          at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

     These items are more fully described in the following pages of the Proxy
Statement.

     Shareholders of record at the close of business on July 2, 1999 will be
entitled to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments of the Meeting.

                                        By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                        /s/ Ronald E. Lund

                                        Ronald E. Lund
                                        Secretary




                             YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

 PLEASE VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET AS DESCRIBED IN THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS
       OR DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN
                             THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

<PAGE>


                                     [LOGO]
                                    MEDTRONIC
                     WHEN LIFE DEPENDS ON MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

                                 MEDTRONIC, INC.
                            7000 CENTRAL AVENUE N.E.
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55432


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

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                 AUGUST 25, 1999

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

The Board of Directors of Medtronic, Inc. ("Medtronic" or the "Company") is
soliciting the accompanying proxy for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Medtronic to be held on August 25, 1999.

A proxy card is enclosed. In order to register your vote, you may vote by
telephone or the internet as described in the enclosed instructions or complete,
date and sign the proxy card and return it in the envelope provided. When voting
by telephone or the internet, your vote authorizes the named proxies to vote
your shares in the same manner as if you completed, signed and returned your
proxy card.

When stock is registered in the name of more than one person, each such person
should sign the proxy. If the shareholder is a corporation, the proxy should be
signed in its corporate name by an executive or other authorized officer. If
signed as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, custodian or in
any other representative capacity, the signer's full title should be given.


Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each share of Medtronic Common Stock,
$.10 par value, they hold of record as of the close of business on July 2, 1999.
On that date, 586,763,987 shares of Medtronic Common Stock were outstanding. A
quorum (a majority of the outstanding shares) must be represented at the Meeting
in person or by proxy to transact business.


Shares represented by a properly executed proxy received by Medtronic prior to
the Meeting and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions of
the shareholder or, if no instructions are indicated, in accordance with the
recommendations of the Board of Directors. A proxy may be revoked at any time
before it is exercised by written revocation to the Corporate Secretary of
Medtronic or by submitting a proxy with a more recent date either by using the
telephone or internet voting procedures or by filing a new written proxy with
the Corporate Secretary. This proxy statement and enclosed proxy card are first
being mailed to shareholders on or about July 21, 1999.


                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS AND NOMINEES

     The Board of Directors is divided into three classes. The members of each
class are elected to serve three-year terms with the terms of office of each
class ending in successive years. Glen D. Nelson, M.D., Jean-Pierre Rosso, Jack
W. Schuler and Gerald W. Simonson are the nominees for election to the Board as
Class I directors to serve until the year 2002 annual meeting or until their
successors are elected and qualified. All of the nominees are currently
directors and were elected to the Board of Directors by the shareholders except
for Mr. Rosso, who was elected by the Board on


                                        1
<PAGE>


August 26, 1998. After 23 years of dedicated Board service, Richard A. Swalin,
Ph.D. will retire from the Board on August 25, 1999 in accordance with the
Board's policy of mandatory retirement. With the retirement of Dr. Swalin, the
Board will consist of 14 members.

     All of the nominees have indicated a willingness to serve if elected.
However, if any nominee becomes unable to serve before the election, the shares
represented by the proxy cards may be voted for a substitute designated by the
Board, unless an instruction to the contrary is indicated on the proxy card.

             THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ELECTING THE NOMINEES.


                          DIRECTOR NOMINEES -- CLASS I
                               (TERM ENDING 2002)

[PHOTO]                                 Vice Chairman of Medtronic since July
GLEN D. NELSON, M.D., age 62            1988 and Executive Vice President from
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1980                    August 1986 to July 1988; Chairman and
 CLASS I DIRECTOR                       Chief Executive Officer of American
 TERM EXPIRES 1999                      MedCenters, Inc. (HMO management) from
                                        July 1984 to August 1986; Chief
                                        Executive Officer, President and
                                        Chairman of the Board of Trustees of
                                        Park Nicollet Medical Center (medical
                                        services) from 1975 to 1986; Surgeon at
                                        Park Nicollet Medical Center from 1969
                                        to 1986. Also a director of The St. Paul
                                        Companies, Inc., Carlson Holdings, Inc.,
                                        Avatar, Inc., and Advanced BioSurfaces,
                                        Inc. Member, Johns Hopkins Board of
                                        Visitors and Jackson Hole Group.

[PHOTO]                                 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
JEAN-PIERRE ROSSO, age 59               Case Corporation (farm and construction
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1998                    equipment) since October 1997; Chairman,
 CLASS I DIRECTOR                       President and Chief Executive Officer of
 TERM EXPIRES 1999                      Case Corporation from March 1996 to
                                        October 1997; President and Chief
                                        Executive Officer of Case Corporation
                                        from April 1994 to March 1996. President
                                        of the Home & Building Control Business
                                        of Honeywell, Inc. from 1992 to April
                                        1994; President of European operations
                                        of Honeywell, Inc. from 1987 through
                                        1991. Also a director of ADC
                                        Telecommunications, Inc. and Crown Cork
                                        & Seal Company, Inc.

[PHOTO]                                 Chairman of the Board of Stericycle,
JACK W. SCHULER, age 58                 Inc. (medical waste treatment and
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1990                    recycling) since 1990 and Chairman of
 CLASS I DIRECTOR                       the Board of Ventana Medical Systems,
 TERM EXPIRES 1999                      Inc. (immunohisto-chemistry diagnostic
                                        systems) since November 1995; President
                                        and Chief Operating Officer of Abbott
                                        Laboratories (health care products) from
                                        January 1987 to August 1989; a director
                                        of that company from April 1985 to
                                        August 1989 and Executive Vice President
                                        from January 1985 to January 1987. Also
                                        a director of Chiron Corporation.


                                        2
<PAGE>


[PHOTO]                                 Private venture capital investor since
GERALD W. SIMONSON, age 69              June 1978; President and Chief Executive
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1962                    Officer of Omnetics Connector
 CLASS I DIRECTOR                       Corporation (microminiature connectors)
 TERM EXPIRES 1999                      since March 1991. Also a director of
                                        Northwest Teleproductions, Inc., The
                                        Chromaline Corporation and Fairview
                                        Hospital and Healthcare Services.


                 BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUING IN OFFICE -- CLASS II
                               (TERM ENDING 2000)

[PHOTO]                                 Chairman of the Board and Chief
MICHAEL R. BONSIGNORE, age 58           Executive Officer of Honeywell, Inc.
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1999                    since April 1993; Executive Vice
 CLASS II DIRECTOR                      President and Chief Operating Officer of
 TERM EXPIRES 2000                      the International and Home & Building
                                        Control business of Honeywell, Inc. from
                                        1990 to 1993; President of Honeywell's
                                        International business from 1987 to
                                        1990; President of Honeywell Europe from
                                        1983 to 1987. Also a director of
                                        Cargill, Inc. and The St. Paul
                                        Companies, Inc. and a member of various
                                        advisory boards and committees
                                        including: The U.S.-China Business
                                        Council, Investment and Services Policy
                                        Advisory Committee, U.S.-Russia Trade
                                        and Economic Council, the Alliance to
                                        Save Energy Board, New Perspective Fund,
                                        Inc. and Euro Pacific Growth Fund.


[PHOTO]                                 Medtronic Chairman of the Board and
WILLIAM W. GEORGE, age 56               Chief Executive Officer since August
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1989                    1996; President and Chief Executive
 CLASS II DIRECTOR                      Officer from May 1991 to August 1996;
 TERM EXPIRES 2000                      President and Chief Operating Officer
                                        from March 1989 to April 1991.
                                        President, Honeywell Space and Aviation
                                        Systems, from December 1987 to March
                                        1989; President, Honeywell Industrial
                                        Automation and Control, from May 1987 to
                                        December 1987 and Executive Vice
                                        President of that business from January
                                        1983 to May 1987. Also a director of
                                        Dayton Hudson Corporation, Allina Health
                                        System (Chairman), Imation Corp.,
                                        Novartis, and Health Industry
                                        Manufacturers Association.



                                       3
<PAGE>


[PHOTO]                                 Dean, College of Medicine and Public
BERNADINE P. HEALY, M.D., age 54        Health, and Professor of Medicine, The
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1993                    Ohio State University, since October
 (AND 1987-1991)                        1995. Physician and Science Policy
 CLASS II DIRECTOR                      Advisor, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
 TERM EXPIRES 2000                      (nonprofit medical research
                                        organization), from July 1993 to May
                                        1995; Director of the National
                                        Institutes of Health from April 1991 to
                                        June 1993; Chairman of the Research
                                        Institute of The Cleveland Clinic
                                        Foundation from November 1985 to April
                                        1991; President, the American Heart
                                        Association, National Center, from 1988
                                        to 1989; Deputy Director of Office of
                                        Science and Technology Policy, Executive
                                        Office of the United States President,
                                        from 1984 to 1985; Professor of
                                        Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University
                                        School of Medicine, from 1977 to 1984.
                                        Also a trustee of Battelle Memorial
                                        Institutes and a director of National
                                        City Corporation, Invacare, Inc. and
                                        Ashland, Inc.

[PHOTO]                                 Consultant. Retired Vice Chairman and
RICHARD L. SCHALL, age 69               Chief Administrative Officer and
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1971                    director of Dayton Hudson Corporation as
 CLASS II DIRECTOR                      of February 1985. Also a director of
 TERM EXPIRES 2000                      EcoLab Inc. and a trustee of Santa
                                        Barbara City College Foundation.

[PHOTO]                                 President and Chief Executive Officer of
GORDON M. SPRENGER, age 62              Allina Health System (health care
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1991                    delivery) since June 1999; Chief
 CLASS II DIRECTOR                      Executive Officer of Allina Health
 TERM EXPIRES 2000                      System from April 1999 to June 1999;
                                        Executive Officer of Allina Health
                                        System from July 1994 to April 1999;
                                        Chief Executive Officer and director of
                                        HealthSpan Health Systems Corporation
                                        (health care delivery) from September
                                        1992 to July 1994; President and Chief
                                        Executive Officer of LifeSpan, Inc.
                                        (health care delivery) from 1982 to
                                        September 1992; Chief Executive Officer
                                        of Abbott-Northwestern Hospital from
                                        1982 to September 1992; President of
                                        Abbott-Northwestern Hospital from 1982
                                        to 1988. Also a member of Board of
                                        Regents, St. Olaf College, and a
                                        director of The St. Paul Companies,
                                        Inc., Bush Foundation and Past Chair of
                                        the Board of the American Hospital
                                        Association.


                                        4
<PAGE>


                 BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUING IN OFFICE -- CLASS III
                               (TERM ENDING 2001)

WILLIAM R. BRODY, M.D., PH.D., age 55   President of The Johns Hopkins
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1998                    University since September 1996. Special
 CLASS III DIRECTOR                     Assistant to the President of the
 TERM EXPIRES 2001                      University of Minnesota Academic Health
                                        Center, May 1996 to July 1996; Provost
                                        of the University of Minnesota Academic
                                        Health Center from September 1994 to May
                                        1996; the Martin Donner Professor and
                                        Director of the Department of Radiology
                                        at The Johns Hopkins University School
                                        of Medicine from 1987 to 1994. Also a
                                        director of Alza Corporation and
                                        Mercantile Bankshares Corporation.

[PHOTO]                                 Chairman of the Board and Chief
PAUL W. CHELLGREN, age 56               Executive Officer of Ashland Inc.
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1997                    (energy company) since January 1997 and
 CLASS III DIRECTOR                     Chief Executive Officer since October
 TERM EXPIRES 2001                      1996; President and Chief Operating
                                        Officer of Ashland Inc. from January
                                        1992 to September 1996. Also a director
                                        of PNC Bank Corp. and Arch Coal, Inc.

[PHOTO]                                 Medtronic President and Chief Operating
ARTHUR D. COLLINS, JR., age 51          Officer since August 1996; Chief
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1994                    Operating Officer from January 1994 to
 CLASS III DIRECTOR                     August 1996; Executive Vice President of
 TERM EXPIRES 2001                      the Company and President of Medtronic
                                        International from June 1992 to January
                                        1994. Corporate Vice President of Abbott
                                        Laboratories (health care products) from
                                        October 1989 to May 1992 and Divisional
                                        Vice President of that company from May
                                        1984 to October 1989. Held various
                                        management positions both in the U.S.
                                        and Europe during his 14 years with
                                        Abbott. Also a director of U.S. Bancorp.
                                        and Tennant Company, and member of the
                                        Board of Overseers of The Wharton
                                        School.


                                       5
<PAGE>


[PHOTO]                                 The Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of
ANTONIO M. GOTTO, JR., M.D., age 63     the Cornell University Medical Center
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1992                    and Provost for Medical Affairs, Cornell
 CLASS III DIRECTOR                     University, since January 1997. Chairman
 TERM EXPIRES 2001                      and Professor of the Department of
                                        Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine
                                        and Methodist Hospital from 1977 to 1996
                                        and former J. S. Abercrombie Chair,
                                        Atherosclerosis and Lipoprotein Research
                                        from 1976 to 1996. Also director and
                                        principal investigator, Specialized
                                        Center of Research in Arteriosclerosis,
                                        National Heart, Lung and Blood
                                        Institute, President, International
                                        Atherosclerosis Society and Past
                                        President, American Heart Association.

[PHOTO]                                 Professor, Graduate School of Business,
THOMAS E. HOLLORAN, age 69              University of St. Thomas, St. Paul,
 DIRECTOR SINCE 1960                    Minnesota since June 1985; Chairman,
 CLASS III DIRECTOR                     Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan
 TERM EXPIRES 2001                      Airports Commission, from February 1989
                                        to January 1991; Chairman of the Board
                                        of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
                                        of Inter-Regional Financial Group, Inc.
                                        (predecessor of Dain Rauscher
                                        Corporation) (holding company for
                                        various financial enterprises) from 1976
                                        to June 1985. Also a director of
                                        Flexsteel Industries, Inc., MTS Systems
                                        Corp., ADC Telecommunications Inc.,
                                        National City Bank of Minneapolis and
                                        National City Bancorporation; Chairman
                                        and a director of Malt-O-Meal Company;
                                        and a director of the Minnesota Center
                                        for Corporate Responsibility and the
                                        Bush Foundation.

     Election of each director nominee requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by
proxy and entitled to vote on such nominee at the Annual Meeting. For this
purpose, a shareholder voting through a proxy who withholds authority to vote on
the election of directors shall not be considered present and entitled to vote
on the election of directors.

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS

     During fiscal 1999, Medtronic's Board of Directors held a total of ten
Board meetings. Each director attended 75% or more of the total meetings of the
Board of Directors and Board committees on which the director served (held
during the period he or she served as a director), except for Drs. Gotto and
Healy, who each attended more than 70% of the total such meetings held. The
standing committees of the Board of Directors include the Audit Committee, the
Compensation Committee, the Finance Committee, the Corporate Governance
Committee and the Technology and Quality Committee.

     AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Audit Committee held three meetings in fiscal 1999.
Committee members are Brody, Healy, Holloran, Schuler (Chair) and Swalin. The
committee reviews Medtronic's annual financial statements; makes recommendations
regarding Medtronic's independent auditors and scope of auditor services;
reviews the adequacy of accounting and audit policies, compliance assurance
procedures and internal controls; reviews nonaudit services performed by
auditors to maintain auditors' independence; and reports to the Board of
Directors on disclosure adequacy and adherence to accounting principles.

     COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Compensation Committee held four meetings in
fiscal 1999. Committee members are Bonsignore, Chellgren, Healy, Rosso, Schall,
Schuler and Simonson (Chair). The committee reviews compensation philosophy and
major compensation and benefits programs for employees; oversees certain stock
and benefit plans; and reviews executive officers' compensation.

     FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee held four meetings in fiscal 1999.
Committee members are Chellgren (Chair), Gotto, Rosso, Schall, Simonson and
Sprenger. The committee reviews


                                        6
<PAGE>


and makes recommendations regarding financial policies and performance
objectives as developed by management, including review of Medtronic's annual
and long-range operating plans; assists management in evaluation of major
acquisitions and divestitures from a financial perspective; reviews changes in
capital structure; and reviews banking relationships, insurance coverage on
assets, tax strategies, and financial performance and related matters pertaining
to Medtronic's employee pension and supplemental retirement plans.

     CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. The Corporate Governance Committee held two
meetings in fiscal 1999. Committee members are Bonsignore, Brody, Chellgren,
Gotto, Healy, Holloran, Rosso, Schall (Chair), Schuler, Simonson, Sprenger and
Swalin. The committee addresses all matters of corporate governance; evaluates
qualifications and candidates for positions on the Board; evaluates the
performance of the chief executive officer and the Board; reviews major
organization changes and senior management performance; and reviews director
compensation philosophy. The Corporate Governance Committee maintains a
Nominating Subcommittee which considers and recommends to the full Committee
criteria for selecting new directors, nominees for Board membership and the
positions of CEO, Chairman and Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee, and
whether a director should be invited to stand for re-election. The Subcommittee
is comprised of the Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee plus one
director selected from each class of directors. The current Subcommittee held
one meeting in fiscal 1999 and includes Schall (Chair), Healy, Holloran and
Schuler.

     The Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees for Board
membership submitted by shareholders. Nominations by shareholders must be made
pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Corporate Secretary at 7000 Central
Avenue N.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55432. Candidates for director should be
persons with broad training and experience in their chosen fields and who have
earned distinction in their activities. Notice by the shareholder to be timely
must be received not less than 50 nor more than 90 days prior to the meeting or,
if less than 60 days disclosure of the meeting date is given, not later than the
close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the
meeting date is mailed or public disclosure of such date is made. The notice
shall set forth certain information concerning such shareholder and the
nominees, including their names and addresses, their principal occupation or
employment, the capital stock of the Company which they beneficially own, such
other information as would be required in a proxy statement soliciting proxies
for the election of the nominees and the consent of each nominee to serve as a
director if so elected. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge
the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing
procedure.

     TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY COMMITTEE. The Technology and Quality Committee held
two meetings in fiscal 1999. Committee members are Bonsignore, Brody, Gotto,
Healy (Chair), Holloran, Sprenger and Swalin. The committee reviews policies,
practices, processes and quality programs concerning technological and product
research; reviews efforts and investments in developing new products and
businesses; evaluates Medtronic's technological education and recognition
programs; and reviews quality process matters with Medtronic's chief quality
officer.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     As part of the Company's desire to further emphasize performance-based
compensation and to encourage stock ownership by the Company's management and
Board of Directors, the Company adopted the Medtronic, Inc. Outside Director
Stock Compensation Plan (the "Director Plan") effective March 5, 1998.

     Director compensation has three components: an annual retainer, an annual
stock option grant and an annual credit of deferred stock units. In addition,
all new non-employee board members receive an initial stock option grant.

The annual retainer in place for the 1998-1999 plan year (September 1, 1998
through August 31, 1999) is $50,000 for all non-employee directors except the
Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee, whose retainer is $60,000.
Directors have the option of taking 100% of the annual retainer in the form of
cash, or 100% in the form of stock options. If options are chosen, the number of
shares


                                       7
<PAGE>


covered by such options will equal four times the amount of the annual retainer
divided by the fair market value of a share of Medtronic stock on the last day
of the relevant plan year (which will also be the exercise price of such
options). These options expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant.
The annual retainer is reduced by 25% if a non-employee director does not attend
at least 75% of the total meetings of the Board and Board committees on which
such director served during the relevant plan year.

     Under the Director Plan, each non-employee director also receives on the
first day of each plan year an annual stock option grant for a number of shares
of Medtronic stock equal to the amount of the annual retainer divided by the
fair market value of a share of Medtronic stock on the date of grant (which will
also be the exercise price of such option). These options expire at the earlier
of the tenth anniversary of the date of grant or five years after the holder
ceases to be a director of the Company.

     The Director Plan also provides that on the last day of each plan year,
each non-employee director will be credited with a number of deferred stock
units (each representing the right to receive one share of Medtronic stock)
equal to one-half of the amount of the annual retainer divided by the average of
the fair market value of a share of Medtronic stock for the last 20 trading days
during the plan year. Dividends paid on Medtronic stock are credited to a
director's stock unit account in the form of additional stock units. The balance
in a director's stock unit account will be distributed to such director in the
form of shares of Medtronic stock upon resignation or retirement from the Board,
in a single distribution or, at the director's option, in five equal annual
distributions.

     Each new non-employee director also receives, on the date he or she first
becomes a director, a one-time initial stock option grant under the Director
Plan for a number of shares of Medtronic stock equal to two times the amount of
the annual retainer divided by the fair market value of a share of Medtronic
stock on the date of grant (which will also be the exercise price of such
option). These options expire at the earlier of the tenth anniversary of the
date of grant or five years after the holder ceases to be a director of the
Company.

     All of the non-employee director options described above vest and are
exercisable in full on the date of grant, provided that a director initially
appointed by the Board will generally not be entitled to exercise any such
option until such director has been elected to the Board by the shareholders of
the Company.

     In 1998, the Company discontinued its charitable contribution plan for all
directors, which provided for a contribution of $1 million to charitable
institutions recommended by a deceased director with five or more years of
service at the time of death. However, persons who became directors prior to
July 1, 1998 will continue to be eligible for this benefit.

     As part of its overall program to promote charitable giving, the Company's
Foundation matches gifts by directors to qualified educational institutions up
to $7,000 per fiscal year.

CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

     The Company uses Carlson Wagonlit Travel, which was selected through a
competitive bidding process, as its travel agency for Company business. Dr. Glen
Nelson, who is Vice Chairman and a director of the Company, is a director of
Carlson Holdings, Inc., a family-owned business which includes Carlson Wagonlit
Travel. Members of Dr. Nelson's family are owners and officers of Carlson
Holdings, Inc. The Company paid fees totaling approximately $1,458,000 to
Carlson Wagonlit Travel for services in fiscal 1999. Management believes that
these transactions were on terms no less favorable to the Company than if made
with unaffiliated third parties.


                                       8
<PAGE>


                 SHAREHOLDINGS OF CERTAIN OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS. To the best of Medtronic's knowledge, no
shareholder beneficially owned more than 5% of Medtronic's Common Stock as of
July 2, 1999.

     MANAGEMENT SHAREHOLDINGS. The following table shows the number of shares of
Medtronic Common Stock beneficially owned by Medtronic's directors, executive
officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table below, and all directors
and executive officers as a group as of July 2, 1999.


                                                      AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                           BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1)(2)
- ------------------------                           --------------------------
Michael R. Bonsignore ..........................               1,767
William R. Brody, Ph.D., M.D. ..................               7,365
Paul W. Chellgren ..............................               8,165
Arthur D. Collins, Jr.(3) ......................             779,515
Bill K. Erickson ...............................             375,966
William W. George(4) ...........................           1,660,783
Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D. ....................              42,297
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D. .......................              27,973
Thomas E. Holloran .............................              94,924
Glen D. Nelson, M.D.(5) ........................             972,686
Jean-Pierre Rosso ..............................                  22
Robert L. Ryan .................................             349,386
Richard L. Schall ..............................             218,821
Jack W. Schuler ................................              41,945
Gerald W. Simonson .............................              74,957
Gordon M. Sprenger .............................              46,615
Richard A. Swalin, Ph.D. .......................              50,549
Directors and executive officers as a group
 (26 persons)(2) ...............................           6,102,843

- ---------------------
(1)  No director or executive officer beneficially owns more than 1% of the
     shares outstanding. Medtronic's directors and executive officers as a group
     beneficially own approximately 1.04% of the shares outstanding.

(2)  Includes the following shares not currently outstanding but deemed
     beneficially owned because of the right to acquire them pursuant to options
     exercisable within 60 days (on or before August 31, 1999) as follows: W.R.
     Brody, 4,681 shares; P.W. Chellgren, 6,802 shares; A.D. Collins, Jr.,
     486,195 shares; B.K. Erickson, 195,271 shares; W.W. George, 745,312 shares;
     A.M. Gotto, Jr., 35,711 shares; B.P. Healy, 17,836 shares; T.E. Holloran,
     39,526 shares; G.D. Nelson, 660,466 shares; R.L. Ryan, 328,408 shares; R.L.
     Schall, 34,872 shares; J.W. Schuler, 19,840 shares; G.W. Simonson, 34,573
     shares; G.M. Sprenger, 37,419 shares; R.A. Swalin, 39,738 shares; and all
     directors and executive officers as a group, 3,349,605 shares.

(3)  Mr. Collins, disclaims beneficial ownership of 5,000 shares included in the
     above table, which are held by the Collins Family Foundation, a charitable
     trust of which he is one of the trustees.

(4)  Mr. George disclaims beneficial ownership of 111,859 shares included in the
     above table, which are held by the George Family Foundation, a charitable
     trust of which he is one of the trustees. The above table also includes an
     aggregate of 62,386 shares covered by currently exercisable options
     transferred by Mr. George to members of his immediate family.


(5)  The above table includes an aggregate of 98,835 shares covered by currently
     exercisable options transferred by Dr. Nelson to members of his immediately
     family.


(6)  Mr. Schall disclaims beneficial ownership of 54,299 shares included in the
     above table, which are held in a charitable lead annuity trust.


     SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE. Section 16(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's directors and
executive officers to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the
Company's Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New
York Stock Exchange, and the Company is required to identify any of those
individuals who failed to file such reports on a timely basis. To the best of
the Company's knowledge, based upon a review of such reports furnished to the
Company and written representations that no other reports were required, there
were no late filings by the Company's directors or executive officers in fiscal
1999 other than by Mr. Lund, who did not timely report several stock gifts in
December 1997. The report was promptly filed upon discovery of the oversight.


                                       9
<PAGE>


                    REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON
                       FISCAL 1999 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

OVERVIEW.

     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") is
comprised solely of directors who are not current or former employees of the
Company. The Committee is responsible for establishing the compensation policy
and administering the compensation programs for the Company's executive officers
and other key employees. The Committee periodically engages independent
compensation consultants to assist them in this process. In carrying out its
duties, the Committee intends to make all reasonable attempts to comply with the
requirements to exempt executive compensation from the $1 million deduction
limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the
Committee determines that such compliance in given circumstances would not be in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY.

     The compensation program for executive officers is designed to

     *    Emphasize performance-based compensation;

     *    Encourage strong financial performance by establishing aggressive
          goals for target performance and highly leveraged incentive programs;

     *    Encourage executive stock ownership and alignment with shareholder
          interests by providing a significant portion of compensation in
          Company Common Stock.

     The principal elements of the program consist of base salary, annual
incentives and long-term incentives in the form of stock options, performance
shares and restricted stock. The Company's philosophy is to position the
aggregate of these elements at a level which is commensurate with the Company's
size and performance relative to other leading medical equipment and
pharmaceutical companies, as well as a larger group of general industry
companies. The Committee periodically reviews the reasonableness of total
compensation levels and mix using public information from comparator company
proxy statements and survey information from credible general industry surveys.

     BASE SALARY. The Committee annually reviews and approves the base salaries
of executive officers, taking into consideration individual performance,
retention, the level of responsibility, the scope and complexity of the position
and competitive practice.

     ANNUAL INCENTIVE AWARDS. Executive officers are eligible for annual
incentives under the shareholder approved Management Incentive Plan. This is a
formula-based plan with awards based on corporate and business unit performance.
For fiscal 1999, corporate operating performance was assessed against target
measures of corporate profit after taxes, revenue growth and after-tax return on
net assets, with these measures given weights of 40%, 40% and 20%, respectively.
Business unit financial performance was assessed against target measures of
earnings before interest and taxes, revenue growth, and after-tax return on net
assets or net asset turnover, with these measures assigned respective weights
that vary for each participant.

     For fiscal 1999, executive officers were eligible for Management Incentive
Plan target awards ranging from 35% to 70% of base salary. Final awards can
range from 0% to 230% of the target amounts, and a threshold level of
performance is required before any payout occurs.

     STOCK OPTIONS. Stock options are granted annually to executive officers.
Target awards are based on pre-established grant guidelines that are calibrated
to competitive standards. Individual awards vary based on the individual's
responsibilities and performance, ability to impact financial performance and
future potential. All grants are made at 100% of fair market value.

     PERFORMANCE SHARES. Top executives are eligible for grants of performance
shares under the Performance Share program. Grants are made annually for
overlapping three-year performance periods. Grant targets range from 30% to 50%
of base salary. Once a threshold level of performance is attained, final awards
can range from 20% to 180% of the target amounts. The 1999-2001 cycle will be
based on performance measures of basic earnings per share (40%), return on net
assets (40%) and revenue growth (20%).


                                       10
<PAGE>



     Performance shares earned for the 1997-1999 cycle were based on earnings
per share (40%), after-tax return on net assets (40%) and revenue growth (20%).
Medtronic's performance for this performance cycle was very strong, resulting in
a payout at 158% of the target award. The value of the award is based on the
average price of the Company's Common Stock for the last 20 trading days of the
performance cycle, up to a maximum of three times the price at the date of
grant. Half of the award is paid in Company Common Stock, with the other half
paid in cash or Company Common Stock at the discretion of the Committee.

     STOCK OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM. To encourage stock ownership by executives,
the Company offers a program which allows executives to elect to receive stock
options in lieu of some or all of the cash compensation earned under the
Management Incentive Plan and the Performance Share program. Currently under the
program, participants receive an option on $4 of stock at market value for every
$1 of compensation exchanged. Stock options granted to named executives in
fiscal 1999 under this program are disclosed in the "Option/SAR Grants in Last
Fiscal Year" table on page 14 of this Proxy Statement.


     ADJUSTMENTS FOR ACQUISITIONS AND NON-RECURRING CHARGES. In determining
award payments with respect to the Company's short-term and long-term incentive
programs, the Committee has adopted a longstanding practice of excluding from
the calculation of performance results certain acquisitions and non-recurring
items of income or loss. Consistent with this practice, the performance results
for fiscal 1999 exclude all or a portion of certain acquisitions made during the
year, as well as all of the non-recurring charges related to those acquisitions.

     COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The CEO's compensation is
comprised of base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentives. Pay levels
and opportunity are established by the Committee in the same manner as for other
executive officers described above.

     The CEO received a 14% merit increase to base salary effective at the
beginning of fiscal 1999. In determining the base salary for the CEO, the
Committee specifically considered annual operating performance (for fiscal
1998), strategic planning and succession planning for senior management.

     For fiscal 1999, the CEO was eligible to receive a target award of 70% of
base salary under the Management Incentive Plan. Annual performance, adjusted
for acquisitions and non-recurring charges, was 94.6% of target.

     In fiscal 1999, the CEO received a Performance Share grant with a target
payout equal to 50% of his base salary. Performance objectives for the 1999-2001
performance cycle are consistent with those for all program participants listed
above. For the three-year cycle ended in fiscal 1999, the Company achieved
cumulative earnings per share and average after-tax return on net assets
performance at or above the maximum of the performance targets. Revenue growth
was slightly below target. Consequently, the payout for this cycle for all
executive officers, including the CEO, was 158% of the target award.

CONCLUSION.

     Consistent with its compensation philosophy, the Committee believes the
executive officer compensation program provides incentive to attain strong
financial performance and is strongly aligned with shareholder interests. The
Committee believes that the Company's compensation program directs the efforts
of the Company's executive officers toward the continued achievement of growth
and profitability for the benefit of the Company's shareholders.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Gerald W. Simonson, Chair         Jean-Pierre Rosso
Michael R. Bonsignore             Richard L. Schall
Paul W. Chellgren                 Jack W. Schuler
Bernadine P. Healy, M.D.


                                       11
<PAGE>


                      SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     The graph and table below compare the cumulative total shareholder return
on the Company's Common Stock for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative
total return on the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Health Care (Medical Products and
Supplies) Industry Index over the same period. The graph and table assume the
investment of $100 in each of the Company's Common Stock, the S&P 500 Index and
the S&P Health Care (Medical Products and Supplies) Industry Index on April 30,
1994 and that all dividends were reinvested.

        COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG MEDTRONIC,
    S&P 500 AND S&P HEALTH CARE (MEDICAL PRODUCTS & SUPPLIES) INDUSTRY INDEX

                              [PLOT POINTS CHART]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 April 30, 1994   April 30, 1995   April 30, 1996   April 30, 1997   April 30, 1998   April 30, 1999
                 --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------   --------------
<S>                 <C>              <C>               <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>
MEDTRONIC           $100.00          $199.19           $286.02         $375.14           $576.89         $785.96
S&P 500              100.00           117.41            152.81          191.09            269.51          328.34
S&P HEALTH CARE      100.00           155.88            210.67          245.08            350.36          449.97
</TABLE>


                                       12
<PAGE>

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation for each
of the last three fiscal years ended April 30, 1999 awarded to or earned by the
Chief Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company.

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                            -----------------------------------------
                                               ANNUAL COMPENSATION                      AWARDS               PAYOUTS
                                      ------------------------------------  ------------------------------  ---------
                                                                            RESTRICTED      SECURITIES
                                                              OTHER ANNUAL    STOCK         UNDERLYING        LTIP      ALL OTHER
                              FISCAL   SALARY       BONUS     COMPENSATION    AWARDS       OPTIONS/SARs      PAYOUTS   COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION    YEAR     ($)     ($)(2)(3)(4)     ($)(1)       ($)(5)    (#)(2)(3)(4)(6)(7)  ($)(6)(7)     ($)(8)
- ---------------------------   ------  --------  ------------  ------------  ----------  ------------------  ---------  ------------
<S>                            <C>    <C>         <C>            <C>        <C>               <C>          <C>            <C>

William W. George              1999   $800,000    $329,480       $   --     $       --        128,088      $       --     $40,530
 Chairman and Chief            1998    700,000     239,252           --      7,007,820        370,655         784,163      34,542
 Executive Officer             1997    642,000     464,598           --             --         32,908       1,431,161      43,331

Arthur D. Collins, Jr.         1999    700,000     430,203           --             --         90,190              --      35,515
 President and                 1998    589,607     348,103           --      7,007,820        299,878         835,106      27,888
 Chief Operating Officer       1997    471,000     214,703           --             --         37,880         933,897      32,110

Glen D. Nelson, M.D.           1999    530,000          --        5,958             --        103,632              --      29,057
 Vice Chairman                 1998    471,000          --        5,556             --        213,577              --      24,923
                               1997    471,000          --        5,694             --         62,682         996,249      32,097

Robert L. Ryan                 1999    390,000          --           --             --         55,850              --      22,533
 Senior Vice President and     1998    370,000          --           --             --        117,079              --      19,638
 Chief Financial Officer       1997    352,500          --           --             --         34,390         683,599      22,368

Bill K. Erickson               1999    325,000      83,556          925             --         43,554              --      19,245
 Senior Vice President &       1998    303,345      31,162          629             --         67,402         282,304      16,606
 President, Americas           1997    288,900     110,239          644             --         14,860         543,293      20,611
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1)  Amounts payable by the Company in above-market interest under deferred
     compensation plan.

(2)  "Bonus" column does not include fiscal 1999 cash bonus payments of
     $200,000, $325,725, $184,373 and $80,000 which Messrs. George, Nelson, Ryan
     and Erickson, respectively, elected to forego in order to receive stock
     options granted in lieu of part or all of their cash bonus compensation
     under the Management Incentive Plan. These stock options are included in
     the "Securities Underlying Options/SARs" column. See "Report of the
     Compensation Committee on Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation -- Stock
     Option Exchange Program" and "Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year,"
     below.
(3)  "Bonus" column does not include fiscal 1998 cash bonus payments of
     $200,000, $274,443, $165,841 and $75,000 which Messrs. George, Nelson, Ryan
     and Erickson, respectively, elected to forego in order to receive stock
     options granted in lieu of part or all of their cash bonus compensation
     under the Management Incentive Plan. These stock options are included in
     the "Securities Underlying Options/SARs" column. See "Report of the
     Compensation Committee on Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation -- Stock
     Option Exchange Program."

(4)  "Bonus" column does not include fiscal 1997 cash bonus payments of
     $100,000, $314,703, $196,390 and $40,000 which Messrs. Collins, Nelson,
     Ryan and Erickson, respectively, elected to forego in order to receive
     stock options granted in lieu of part or all of their cash bonus
     compensation under the Management Incentive Plan. These stock options are
     included in the "Securities Underlying Options/SARs" column. See "Report of
     the Compensation Committee on Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation -- Stock
     Option Exchange Program."
(5)  Mr. George and Mr. Collins each received a special grant of 150,000 shares
     of restricted stock in August 1997. Dollar value of such stock is based on
     the fair market value on the date of grant. The stock vests 100% on a cliff
     basis five years after the date of grant. Dividend equivalents are paid on
     the stock. Aggregate shares of restricted stock held by named executive
     officers at 4/30/99 and the value of such shares on that date (based on a
     closing stock price of $71.9375 per share) are as follows: Mr. George and
     Mr. Collins each held 150,000 shares valued at $10,790,625.

(6)  "LTIP Payouts" column does not include the value of cash and/or stock
     earned upon payment of performance share awards for the fiscal 1997-1999
     performance cycle under the Company's long-term incentive plan of
     $1,350,790, $892,044, $892,044, $593,399 and $486,353 which Messrs. George,
     Collins, Nelson, Ryan and Erickson, respectively, elected to forgo in order
     to receive stock options granted in lieu of part or all of such
     compensation. Those stock options are included in the "Securities
     Underlying Options/SARs" column. See "Report of the Compensation Committee
     on Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation -- Performance Shares" and "-- Stock
     Option Exchange Program."

(7)  "LTIP Payouts" column includes the value of both cash and stock earned in
     fiscal 1998 under the Company's Performance Share program under the 1994
     Stock Award Plan described in "Other Long-Term Incentive Awards" below. The
     stock for the fiscal 1998 payment was valued at $52.4875 per share. The
     column does not include the value of cash and/or stock earned upon payment
     of performance share awards for the fiscal 1996-1998 performance cycle
     under the Company's long-term incentive plan of $784,163, $200,000,
     $1,035,106, $701,810 and $282,304 which Messrs. George, Collins,

                                       13
<PAGE>


     Nelson, Ryan and Erickson, respectively, elected to forgo in order to
     receive stock options granted in lieu of part or all of such compensation.
     Those stock options are included in the "Securities Underlying
     Options/SARs" column. See "Report of the Compensation Committee on Fiscal
     1999 Executive Compensation -- Performance Shares" and -- "Stock Option
     Exchange Program."


(8)  Amounts in this column for fiscal 1999 include the following: the Company
     contributed $4,144 in shares of Company stock under the employee stock
     ownership plan for each of the named executive officers for fiscal 1999;
     the Company contributed $7,776 to each of the named executive officers to
     match employee contributions under the 401(k) supplemental retirement plan;
     and the Company contributed $28,610, $23,595, $17,137, $10,613 and $7,325
     to Messrs. George, Collins, Nelson, Ryan and Erickson, respectively, toward
     the right to receive shares of Company stock under the non-qualified
     supplemental benefit plan.


OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

     The following table sets forth for each of the named executives the stock
options granted by the Company in fiscal 1999 and the potential value of these
stock options determined pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission
requirements. No stock appreciation rights were granted to the named executives
in fiscal 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                                                                                  ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                                                  STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                                     INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                FOR OPTION TERM
                        --------------------------------------                -------------------------------
                         NUMBER OF      % OF TOTAL
                         SECURITIES    OPTIONS/SARS   EXERCISE
                         UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO    OR BASE
                        OPTIONS/SARs   EMPLOYEES IN    PRICE     EXPIRATION    0%        5%           10%
NAME                        (#)        FISCAL YEAR     ($/Sh)       DATE      ($)      ($)(5)        ($)(5)
- ----                    ------------   ------------   --------   ----------   ---    ----------    ----------
<S>                        <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>   <C>           <C>

W. W. George...........    35,260(1)       1.1%       $63.8125    10/28/08     0     $1,417,518    $3,577,546
                            6,597(2)       0.2         75.1875    04/28/09     0        312,488       788,659
                           11,121(3)       0.4         71.9375    05/01/09     0        504,011     1,272,027
                           75,110(4)       2.4         71.9375    05/01/09     0      3,404,032     8,591,129
A. D. Collins, Jr. ....    35,260(1)       1.1         63.8125    10/28/08     0      1,417,518     3,577,546
                            5,328(2)       0.2         75.1875    04/28/09     0        252,377       636,952
                           49,602(4)       1.6         71.9375    05/01/09     0      2,247,994     5,673,508
G. D. Nelson, M.D. ....    31,342(1)       1.0         63.8125    10/28/08     0      1,260,007     3,180,018
                            4,576(2)       0.1         75.1875    04/28/09     0        216,757       547,052
                           18,112(3)       0.6         71.9375    05/01/09     0        820,847     2,071,662
                           49,602(4)       1.6         71.9375    05/01/09     0      2,247,994     5,673,508
R. L. Ryan ............     9,403(1)       0.3         63.8125    10/28/08     0        378,018       954,046
                            3,199(2)       0.1         75.1875    04/28/09     0        151,531       382,434
                           10,252(3)       0.3         71.9375    05/01/09     0        464,627     1,172,630
                           32,996(4)       1.1         71.9375    05/01/09     0      1,495,399     3,774,103
B. K. Erickson ........     9,403(1)       0.3         63.8125    10/28/08     0        378,018       954,046
                            2,658(2)       0.1         75.1875    04/28/09     0        125,904       317,759
                            4,449(3)       0.1         71.9375    05/01/09     0        201,631       508,879
                           27,044(4)       0.9         71.9375    05/01/09     0      1,225,651     3,093,310

</TABLE>

- -----------------------
(1)  These stock options granted to the named executive officers have an
     exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant and vest
     annually in 25% increments.

(2)  These stock options were granted in exchange for the elimination of a
     senior officer Postretirement Survivor Benefit Plan. The options vest 100%
     on a cliff basis at the earlier of the officer's earliest possible
     retirement date or eight years after the date of grant.

(3)  These stock options were granted in lieu of all or part of the cash
     compensation earned for fiscal 1999 under the Company's annual incentive
     plan. Because the executives elected to forego cash compensation to receive
     the options, which were granted on 5/01/99, the options are 100% vested at
     grant. See "Report of the Compensation Committee on Fiscal 1999 Executive
     Compensation -- Stock Option Exchange Program."

(4)  These stock options were granted in lieu of all or part of the cash and/or
     stock compensation earned upon payment of performance share awards for the
     fiscal 1997-1999 performance cycle under the Company's long-term incentive
     plan. Because the executives elected to forego cash and/or stock
     compensation to receive the options, which were granted on 5/01/99, the
     options are 100% vested at grant. See "Report of the Compensation Committee
     on Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation -- Stock Option Exchange Program."

(5)  The hypothetical potential appreciation shown in these columns reflects the
     required calculations at annual rates of 5% and 10% set by the Securities
     and Exchange Commission, and therefore is not intended to represent either
     historical appreciation or anticipated future appreciation of the Company's
     Common Stock price.


                                       14
<PAGE>


AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
     AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES

     The following table sets forth for each of the named executive officers the
value realized from stock options exercised during fiscal 1999 and the number
and value of exercisable and unexercisable stock options and stock appreciation
rights held at April 30, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                         SECURITIES UNDERLYING
                                                              UNEXERCISED                VALUE OF
                                                             OPTIONS/SARs        UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY
                                                               AT FISCAL              OPTIONS/SARs AT
                                                              YEAR-END(#)          FISCAL YEAR-END($)(1)
                             SHARES           VALUE      ---------------------   ------------------------
                            ACQUIRED        REALIZED         EXERCISABLE/               EXERCISABLE/
NAME                       ON EXERCISE         ($)          UNEXERCISABLE              UNEXERCISABLE
- ----                       -----------      --------     ---------------------   ------------------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>              <C>                  <C>
W. W. George(2) .........    400,000       $25,840,620      740,756/551,165      $35,667,190/$21,537,142
A. D. Collins, Jr. ......          0                 0      482,135/359,979         24,682,899/9,528,779
G. D. Nelson, M.D.(3) ...          0                 0      657,846/162,521         28,530,715/4,270,846
R. L. Ryan ..............     26,624         1,573,729       326,144/83,739         12,529,329/2,488,658
B. K. Erickson ..........     70,884         4,062,034       205,127/64,911          8,973,368/1,950,627
</TABLE>

- -----------------------
(1)  Value of unexercised in-the-money options is determined by multiplying the
     difference between the exercise price per share and $71.9375, the closing
     price per share on 4/30/99, by the number of shares subject to such
     options. Amounts include stock options granted on 5/01/99 in lieu of cash
     compensation earned for fiscal 1999 under the Company's annual incentive
     plan and cash and/or stock compensation earned upon payment of performance
     share awards for the fiscal 1997-1999 performance cycle under the Company's
     Performance Share Program under the 1994 Stock Award Plan. See "Report of
     the Compensation Committee on Fiscal 1999 Executive Compensation -- Stock
     Option Exchange Program."

(2)  Includes exercisable options to purchase an aggregate of 62,386 shares
     transferred to members of Mr. George's immediate family.

(3)  Includes exercisable options to purchase an aggregate of 98,835 shares
     transferred to members of Dr. Nelson's immediate family.

OTHER LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARDS

     The following table sets forth the number of performance share units
granted to each of the named executives in fiscal 1999 under the Company's 1994
Stock Award Plan and the performance-based award formula under such Plan.

           LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR(1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
                            NUMBER OF                            UNDER NON-STOCK PRICE
                          SHARES, UNITS    PERFORMANCE OR             BASED-PLANS
                            OR OTHER        OTHER PERIOD     ------------------------------
                             RIGHTS       UNTIL MATURATION   THRESHOLD    TARGET    MAXIMUM
NAME                           (#)           OR PAYOUT          (#)         (#)       (#)
- ----                      -------------   ----------------   ---------    ------    -------
<S>                           <C>          <C>                 <C>        <C>       <C>
W. W. George ...........      7,621        5/1/98-4/30/01      1,525      7,621     13,718
A. D. Collins, Jr. .....      6,669        5/1/98-4/30/01      1,334      6,669     12,005
G. D. Nelson, M.D. .....      5,049        5/1/98-4/30/01      1,010      5,049      9,089
R. L. Ryan .............      2,973        5/1/98-4/30/01        595      2,973      5,352
B. K. Erickson .........      2,477        5/1/98-4/30/01        496      2,477      4,459
</TABLE>

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

(1)  Payout of awards is based on achieving specified levels of designated
     performance objectives during a three-year performance cycle. Payout can
     range from 0% to 180% of units granted, with 20% and 180% as the threshold
     and maximum payouts, respectively. Payout of 100% of the units granted
     represents the target payout. Awards are payable at least 50% in Common
     Stock, with the remainder paid in cash or Common Stock at the discretion of
     the Compensation Committee. The value of an award is determined when it is
     earned based on the average fair market value per share for the last 20
     trading days of the performance cycle. The Company offers a program which
     allows executives to receive stock options in lieu of some or all of the
     cash and/or stock compensation earned upon payment of performance share
     awards. See "Report of the Compensation Committee on Fiscal 1999 Executive
     Compensation -- Performance Shares" and "-- Stock Option Exchange Program,"
     above.



                                       15
<PAGE>


PENSION PLAN


     The Company's pension plan is a defined benefit, tax qualified retirement
plan covering most U.S. employees and generally provides 40% of the average of
the highest five consecutive years of compensation (including certain incentive
compensation) in the final ten years of service, offset by a Social Security
allowance as published each year by the Internal Revenue Service. The table
below illustrates the annual benefits payable to participants who retire at age
65 with the indicated years of service with Medtronic and with the indicated
five-year highest average annual compensation. The benefits have been calculated
on a 50% joint and survivor annuity basis. The compensation considered in
determining the pensions payable to the below-named executive officers is the
compensation shown in the "Salary" and "Bonus" columns of the Summary
Compensation Table on page 13.


  FIVE-YEAR                  YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COMPANY
   AVERAGE        --------------------------------------------------------
   ANNUAL
COMPENSATION(1)      15          20          25          30          35
- ---------------   --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

  $  200,000      $ 33,878    $ 45,171    $ 56,463    $ 67,756    $ 72,331
     400,000        70,478      93,971     117,463     140,956     150,106
     600,000       107,078     142,771     178,463     214,156     227,881
     800,000       143,678     191,571     239,463     287,356     305,656
   1,000,000       180,278     240,371     300,463     360,556     383,431
   1,200,000       216,878     289,171     361,463     433,756     461,206
   1,400,000       253,478     337,971     422,463     506,956     538,981

- -------------------
(1)  Calculated by considering a participant's compensation levels during the
     ten-year period immediately preceding retirement. The credited years of
     service (rounded to the nearest whole year) for the executive officers
     named in the Summary Compensation Table were as follows at April 30, 1999:
     W.W. George, 10 years; A.D. Collins, Jr., 7 years; G.D. Nelson, 13 years;
     R.L. Ryan, 6 years; and B. K. Erickson, 28 years.

     Certain limitations on the amount of benefits under the Company's tax
qualified retirement plan were imposed by the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and Tax Reform Act of 1986 ("TRA"). The Company's
non-qualified supplemental benefit plan provides for the restoration of benefits
to officers who may be affected by those limitations so that, in general, total
benefits will be equal to the level of benefits which would have been payable
under the Company's pension plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan but for the
ERISA and TRA limitations or for the fact that the executive has elected to
defer compensation under the Company's deferred compensation programs. The
amounts shown in the pension plan table above reflect the additional retirement
benefits provided under the non-qualified supplemental benefit plan.

EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

     CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS. The executive officers of the Company,
including those named in the Summary Compensation Table, have change in control
agreements (the "Agreements") with the Company. The Agreements operate only upon
the occurrence of a "change in control" as described below. Absent a "change in
control" the Agreements do not require the Company to retain the executives or
to pay them any specified level of compensation or benefits.

     Each Agreement provides that for three years after a "change in control"
there will be no adverse change in the executive's salary, bonus, opportunity,
benefits or location of employment. If during this three-year period the
executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause, or if
the executive terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the
Agreements, and including compensation reductions, demotions, relocation and
excess travel), or voluntarily during the 30-day period following the first
anniversary of the "change in control," the executive is entitled to receive an
accrued salary and annual incentive payment through the date of termination and,
except in the event of death or disability, a lump sum severance payment ("Lump
Sum Payment") equal to three times (two times in the event of termination by the
executive in the aforementioned 30-day period) the


                                       16
<PAGE>


sum of his base salary and annual bonus (and certain insurance and other welfare
plan benefits). Further, an additional payment ("gross-up") is required in an
amount such that after the payment of all taxes, income and excise, the
executive will be in the same after-tax position as if no excise tax under the
Internal Revenue Code had been imposed.

     Generally, and subject to certain exceptions, a "change in control" is
deemed to have occurred if: (a) a majority of Medtronic's Board of Directors
becomes comprised of persons other than persons for whose election proxies have
been solicited by the Board, or who are then serving as directors appointed by
the Board to fill vacancies caused by death or resignation (but not removal) of
a director or to fill newly created directorships; (b) another party becomes the
beneficial owner of at least 30% of Medtronic's outstanding voting stock; or (c)
Medtronic's shareholders approve a definitive agreement or plan to merge or
consolidate Medtronic with another party (other than certain limited types of
mergers), exchange shares of voting stock of Medtronic for shares of another
corporation pursuant to a statutory exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of all
or substantially all of Medtronic's assets, or liquidate or dissolve Medtronic.

     In addition, events substantially identical to those described above also
constitute a "change in control" under certain of the Company's compensation
plans. If a "change in control" of the Company occurs, awards under the
Company's Management Incentive Plan will accelerate and, subject to certain
limitations set forth in the plan, each participant will be entitled to a final
award based on certain assumptions as to target performance and salary. The
Company's stock award plans and agreements thereunder provide that in the event
of a "change in control" of the Company, all restrictions under outstanding
restricted stock awards shall immediately lapse and the restricted stock period
with respect to all such shares shall be deemed to have expired, and performance
share awards shall vest immediately in a pro rata amount based on the portion of
the performance period elapsed prior to the "change in control" and certain
assumptions as to the anticipated performance which would have been achieved
during the applicable performance period.

     The Company's stock award plans and agreements thereunder also provide for
or permit acceleration of the exercisability of outstanding stock options upon
the occurrence of certain events (such as certain tender offers or exchange
offers for the Company's stock, certain changes in control of the Company, a
merger or consolidation of the Company with another entity, or a sale of
substantially all of the Company's assets or certain plans therefor) or at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. Limited stock appreciation rights
("Limited Rights") granted under the stock option plans are exercisable, with
certain limitations, at any time within the thirty-day period following a
"change in control" of Medtronic. Upon exercise of Limited Rights, the holder is
entitled to receive an amount in cash for each share with respect to which the
Limited Rights are exercised equal to the difference between the option exercise
price per share of stock covered by the underlying option and the fair market
value per share as of the date of exercise. If Limited Rights are exercised, the
underlying option will no longer be exercisable to the extent of the number of
shares with respect to which the Limited Rights were exercised.

     If a "change in control" occurs, subject to certain limitations,
Medtronic's contributions to the employee stock ownership plan for that year
will equal the greater of Medtronic's target percentage contribution (currently
2.5% of aggregate covered employee compensation in fiscal 1999) or, if a "change
in control" occurs after the first quarter of a plan year, the percentage
contribution Medtronic would have made upon completion of the plan year based on
performance as most recently projected by Medtronic prior to the "change in
control" and disregarding the effects of the "change in control." If a "change
in control" occurs during a plan year, subject to certain limitations,
Medtronic's matching contribution to the 401(k) supplemental retirement plan
shall equal the greater of Medtronic's target percentage matching contribution
(currently 75% of the first 6% of a participant's contribution in fiscal 1999),
or if the "change in control" occurs after the first quarter of a plan year, the
percentage contribution Medtronic would have made upon completion of the plan
year based on performance as most recently projected by Medtronic prior to the
"change in control" and disregarding the effects of the "change in control."


                                       17
<PAGE>


     OTHER EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS. In anticipation of Mr. George's plan to
relinquish the role of CEO after ten years, the Board in November 1997 entered
into a letter agreement with A.D. Collins, Jr. in order to ensure his
availability as successor to the chief executive officer position. The agreement
provides that if Mr. Collins is not named chief executive officer by May 1,
2001, he may terminate employment and will receive severance benefits, and his
outstanding stock awards will accelerate and vest in full, all to the same
extent as if a change in control had occurred as provided in his change in
control agreement and the Company's plans, as discussed above. See "Change in
Control Arrangements" above.


        APPROVAL TO AMEND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE
                        AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

GENERAL


     At present, Medtronic's Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize the
issuance of 800,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $.10 par value per share, and
2,5000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per share. At July 2, 1999
586,763,987 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and 213,236,013 shares of
Common Stock were authorized but unissued. Of these unissued shares,
approximately 46,398,813 were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's
stock award and other employee benefit plans. Accordingly, at July 2, 1999,
there were approximately 166,837,200 shares of Common Stock available for
general corporate purposes. No shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding at
such date.


     The Board of Directors recommends that the authorized number of shares of
Common Stock be increased from 800,000,000 to 1,600,000,000. Such increase, if
approved, will be effected by amending Section 3.1 of Article 3 of Medtronic's
Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of the
Company to 1,602,500,000, consisting of 1,600,000,000 shares of Common Stock and
2,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The full text of the proposed amended
Section 3.1 is set forth in Appendix A hereto.

     The Board desires to increase the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock to give the Board flexibility to declare stock dividends or stock splits
at such times as the Board may deem appropriate (based upon the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding and the number reserved for issuance at this time,
the Company does not have sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock to effect
a two-for-one stock dividend or stock split); to give the Board flexibility to
make acquisitions using stock; to adopt additional employee benefit plans or
increase the shares available under existing plans; to raise equity capital or
to use the additional shares for other general corporate purposes. Aside from
shares currently reserved for issuance under employee benefit plans, the Board
has not authorized the issuance of any additional shares, and there are no
current agreements or commitments for the issuance of any additional shares.

     Shareholders of the Company have no preemptive rights with respect to the
Common Stock and Preferred Stock for the Company. If this proposed amendment is
adopted, the additional authorized shares of Common Stock will be available for
issuance from time to time at the discretion of the Board without further action
by the shareholders, except where shareholder approval is required by stock
exchange requirements or to obtain favorable tax treatment for certain employee
benefit plans. Although an increase in the authorized shares of common stock
could, under certain circumstances, also be construed as having an anti-takeover
effect (for example, by diluting the stock ownership of a person seeking to
effect a change in the composition of the Board of Directors or contemplating a
tender offer or other transaction for the combination of the Company with
another company), the Company is not proposing this amendment to the Restated
Articles of Incorporation in response to any effort to accumulate the Company's
stock or to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer, or
solicitation in opposition to management.


                                       18
<PAGE>


VOTING REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION

     Approval of this amendment to the Company's Restated Articles requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock of the Company
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on this item at the Annual
Meeting. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted for approval
of the amendment unless shareholders specify otherwise in their proxies.

     For this purpose a shareholder voting through a proxy who abstains with
respect to approval of the amendment is considered to be present and entitled to
vote on the approval for the amendment at the Meeting, and is in effect a
negative vote; but a shareholder (including a broker) who does not give
authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority to vote, on the approval of
the amendment shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on the
proposal.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE COMPANY'S RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.


                     REAPPROVAL OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR
                            MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

BACKGROUND

     In April 1999, the Board of Directors approved, subject to shareholder
approval, the material terms of the performance criteria for the Company's
Management Incentive Plan ("MIP") so that performance-based bonuses paid under
the MIP continue to qualify for deduction under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986. Code section 162(m) limits the annual federal tax
deduction for compensation paid to the Company's chief executive officer and the
other four most highly compensated executive officers (the "Covered Employees")
to $1,000,000. Certain performance-based compensation is excluded from this
limitation, and the MIP has been designed to comply with that exception.

     Currently, the tax regulations provide that, every five years, the
Company's shareholders must approve the material terms of the performance
criteria specified in the MIP and which the Compensation Committee may establish
for annual bonuses payable to Covered Employees. The MIP was last approved by
the shareholders at the Company's 1994 annual meeting. Accordingly, the material
terms of the performance criteria specified in the MIP, as amended by the Board,
are being presented to the shareholders for approval at the 1999 annual meeting.

PURPOSE

     The MIP is designed to motivate officers and other key employees to achieve
the Company's operating goals by providing the opportunity for incentive
compensation in addition to annual salaries. The MIP is also designed to promote
the accomplishment of management's primary annual objectives as reflected in the
Company's annual operating plan, in the various business unit annual operating
plans and in the objectives established by management for employees, and to
recognize the achievement of these objectives through the payment of incentive
compensation.

ELIGIBILITY

     Eligible employees include executive officers, heads of key staff
functions, heads of operating business units and other major contributors to
business unit or corporate results. Each year, the Compensation Committee will
select those Covered Employees who may participate in the MIP. Other
participants will be selected by the chief executive officer.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

     At the beginning of each year, each participant, including Covered
Employees, are assigned to a specific participation category. The range of
potential awards to participants under the MIP is stated as


                                       19
<PAGE>


percentages of each participant's salary. If minimum performance objectives are
met or exceeded, actual awards will fall within a scale ranging from designated
minimum awards to designated target awards to designated maximum awards. The
designated target award for each participation category is referred to as the
"Target Award Percentage."

     Each participant, including Covered Employees, is also assigned to a
specified performance category, which will set forth the weighted combinations
of performance factors to be considered in connection with the award. Such
factors may be one or a combination of the performance of the participant
individually, as part of a team or as a member of management, the participant's
division or other business unit, and the Company as a whole. Performance
categories for Covered Employees will be based solely on one or any combination
of two or more of the following factors: revenue; revenue per employee; earnings
before income tax (profit before taxes); earnings before interest and income
tax; net earnings (profit after taxes); earnings per employee; tangible,
controllable or total asset turnover; earnings per share; operating income;
total shareholder return; market share; return on equity; before-or after-tax
return on net assets; distribution expense; inventory turnover or economic value
added (economic profit); and such criteria may relate to one or any combination
of two or more of corporate, group, unit, division, affiliate or individual
performance.

     At the beginning of each year, the Committee will establish objectives by
which performance during the year will be measured, and each objective will have
a stated target. At the end of the year, the degree of achievement for each
objective will be expressed as a percentage of the stated target.


     At the beginning of each year, the Committee will also establish a minimum
threshold level of financial objectives which the Company must achieve before
awards may be paid under the MIP. If those minimum threshold objectives are not
met, no awards will be paid to participants, including Covered Employees,
regardless of whether other objectives have been met. Similar minimum thresholds
may be established for a business unit.


     Final awards will equal the sum of the corporate financial portion, the
unit financial portion and the management portion as determined under the terms
of the MIP. Each portion is the product of the participant's salary; the Target
Award Percentage for the participant's Participation category; the financial
percentage under the performance category; and the corporate performance, unit
financial or management score, as the case may be. No Covered Employee may
receive an award in excess of $3,000,000 (increased from $2,000,000 effective
April 30, 1999).

VOTING REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION

     Approval of the material terms of MIP's performance criteria requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the Company's Common Stock
present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on this item at the Annual
Meeting. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted for approval
of the MIP, unless shareholders specify otherwise in their proxies.

     For this purpose, a shareholder voting through a proxy who abstains with
respect to approval of the material terms of the performance criteria of the MIP
is considered to be present and entitled to vote on the approval of the MIP at
the Annual Meeting, and is in effect a negative vote, but a shareholder
(including a broker) who does not give authority to a proxy to vote, or
withholds authority to vote, on the approval of the MIP shall not be considered
present and entitled to vote on the proposal.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TERMS
OF THE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA OF THE MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN.


                     REAPPROVAL OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR
                         PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS UNDER
                              1994 STOCK AWARD PLAN

BACKGROUND

     In April 1999, the Board of Directors approved, subject to shareholder
approval, the material terms of the performance criteria for performance share
awards under the Company's 1994 Stock Award Plan


                                       20
<PAGE>


("the 1994 Plan") so that such awards continue to qualify for deduction under
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Code Section 162(m) limits
the annual federal tax deduction for compensation paid to the Company's chief
executive officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers
(the "Covered Employees") to $1,000,000. Certain performance-based compensation
is excluded from this limitation, and the performance share awards under the
1994 Plan have been designed to comply with that exception.

     Currently, the tax regulations provide that, every five years, the
Company's shareholders must approve the material terms of the performance
criteria specified in the 1994 Plan for performance share awards and which the
Compensation Committee may establish for awards granted to Covered Employees.
The performance criteria specified in the 1994 Plan was last approved by the
shareholders at the Company's 1994 annual meeting. Accordingly, the material
terms of the performance criteria specified in the 1994 Plan, as amended by the
Board, are being presented to the shareholders for approval at the 1999 meeting.

PURPOSE

     The purpose of the 1994 Plan is to motivate key personnel to produce a
superior return to the Company's shareholders by offering such individuals an
opportunity to realize stock appreciation, by facilitating stock ownership and
by rewarding them for achieving a high level of corporate performance. The 1994
Plan is also intended to facilitate recruiting and retaining key personnel of
outstanding ability.

ELIGIBILITY AND NUMBER OF SHARES

     All employees of the Company and its affiliates are eligible for
performance share awards under the 1994 Plan. The Compensation Committee will
select those employees, including Covered Employees, who may receive performance
share awards. No employee may receive performance shares relating to more than
680,000 shares (as adjusted for stock splits) over a five-year period.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

     Performance shares entitle the recipient to payment in amounts determined
by the Committee upon the achievement of specified performance targets during a
specified term. For Covered Employees, such performance targets will consist of
one or any combination of two or more of the following factors: revenue; revenue
per employee; earnings before income tax (profit before taxes); earnings before
interest and income tax; net earnings (profit after taxes); earnings per
employee; tangible, controllable or total asset turnover; earnings per share;
operating income; total shareholder return; market share; return on equity;
before- or after-tax return on net assets; distribution expense; inventory
turnover or economic value added (economic profit); and such criteria may relate
to one or any combination of two or more of corporate, group, unit, division,
affiliate or individual performance. The value in dollars is determined when the
award is earned based on the average fair market value per share for the last 20
trading days of the performance cycle.

     Payments with respect to performance share awards may be paid in cash,
shares of the Company's Common Stock or a combination of cash and Common Stock
as determined by the Compensation Committee. Subject to the limit described
above, at least 25% of the value of vested performance shares must be
distributed in the form of stock (or such higher percentage as the Committee may
from time to time determine, which is currently 50%).

VOTING REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATION

     Approval of the performance criteria for performance share awards under the
1994 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the
Company's Common Stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on
this item at the Annual Meeting. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors
will be voted for approval of such performance criteria, unless shareholders
specify otherwise in their proxies.


                                       21
<PAGE>


     For this purpose, a shareholder voting through a proxy who abstains with
respect to approval of the material terms of the performance criteria for
performance share awards under the 1994 Plan is considered to be present and
entitled to vote on the approval of such performance criteria at the Annual
Meeting, and is in effect a negative vote, but a shareholder (including a
broker) who does not give authority to a proxy to vote, or withholds authority
to vote, on the approval of the performance criteria shall not be considered
present and entitled to vote on the proposal.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TERMS
OF THE PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS UNDER THE 1994 STOCK
AWARD PLAN.


                        APPROVAL OF SELECTION OF AUDITORS

     Upon recommendation of its Audit Committee, Medtronic's Board has selected
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, certified public accountants, as independent
auditors for Medtronic for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2000. That firm has
acted as independent auditors for Medtronic for more than 20 years, and the
Board considers it highly qualified. Although it is not required to do so, the
Board of Directors wishes to submit the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
for shareholders' approval at the Meeting. If the shareholders do not give
approval, the Board will reconsider its selection.

     Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the
Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire and will
be available to respond to appropriate questions.

     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THIS
APPOINTMENT.


                                     GENERAL

     The costs of soliciting proxies will be borne by Medtronic, including the
reimbursement to record holders of their expenses in forwarding proxy materials
to beneficial owners. Directors, officers and regular employees of Medtronic,
without extra compensation, may solicit proxies personally or by mail,
telephone, fax, telex, telegraph or special letter.

     Medtronic has retained ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., a firm
that provides professional proxy soliciting services, to aid in the solicitation
of proxies for a fee of $9,500 plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket
expenses.

     Shareholder proposals for consideration at the Company's 2000 Annual
Meeting (anticipated date August 24, 2000) must follow the procedures set forth
in Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Company's
Restated Articles of Incorporation. To be timely under Rule 14a-8, shareholder
proposals must be received by the Company by March 23, 2000 in order to be
considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement. Under the Company's
Restated Articles of Incorporation, if a shareholder plans to bring an item of
business before a meeting of shareholders, the shareholder must notify the
Company not less than 50 days nor (except for shareholder proposals subject to
Rule 14a-8) more than 90 days prior to the meeting, provided, however, that if
less than 60 days notice of the meeting date is given, notice by the shareholder
to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th
day following the day on which notice of the meeting date is mailed or public
disclosure of such date was made. If the Company does not receive notice of a
shareholder proposal within the time requirements set forth in the Restated
Articles of Incorporation, then the Company will not be required to present such
proposal at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The proposals must also
comply with all applicable statutes and regulations.


                                       22
<PAGE>


     Medtronic's 1999 Annual Shareholders Report, including financial
statements, is being sent to shareholders of record as of July 2, 1999, together
with this Proxy Statement.

     MEDTRONIC WILL FURNISH TO SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF ITS ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 1999, AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, UPON RECEIPT OF WRITTEN REQUEST ADDRESSED
TO: INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, MEDTRONIC, INC., 7000 CENTRAL AVENUE N.E.,
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55432.

     The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented at the
Annual Meeting. If any other business properly comes before the Annual Meeting
or any adjournment thereof, the proxies will vote on that business in accordance
with their best judgment.


                                       By Order of the Board of Directors,

                                       /s/ Ronald E. Lund

                                       Ronald E. Lund, Secretary
                                       MEDTRONIC, INC.


                                       23
<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX A

   PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 3, SECTION 3.1 OF MEDTRONIC, INC.'S RESTATED
                            ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

     (LANGUAGE TO BE ADDED to the text has been underlined and language to be
deleted has been enclosed in brackets"[ ]").


     3.1 AUTHORIZED SHARES; ESTABLISHMENT OF CLASSES AND SERIES. The aggregate
number of shares the corporation has authority to issue shall be 1,602,500,000
                                                                 -------------
[802,500,000] shares, which shall consist of 1,600,000,000
                                             -------------
[800,000,000] shares of Common Stock with a par value of $.10 per share, and
2,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $1.00 per share. The
Board of Directors is authorized to establish from the shares of Preferred
Stock, by resolution adopted and filed in the manner provided by law, one of
more classes of series of Preferred Stock, and to set forth the designation of
each such class or series and fix the relative rights and preferences of each
such class or series of Preferred Stock, including, but not limited to, fixing
the relative voting rights, if any, of each class or series of Preferred Stock
to the full extent permitted by law. Holders of Common Stock shall be entitled
one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record.



                                       24
<PAGE>


                                     [LOGO]
                                    MEDTRONIC
                     WHEN LIFE DEPENDS ON MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

                                 ANNUAL MEETING

                                 AUGUST 25, 1999
                  WEDNESDAY, 10:30 A.M., CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME

                                 MEDTRONIC, INC.
                                CORPORATE CENTER
                               RICE CREEK FACILITY
                             7000 CENTRAL AVE. N.E.
                        MINNEAPOLIS (FRIDLEY), MINNESOTA




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   PROXY CARD



 [LOGO]         MEDTRONIC, INC.
MEDTRONIC       7000 CENTRAL AVE. N.E.
                MINNEAPOLIS (FRIDLEY), MINNESOTA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The undersigned appoints WILLIAM W. GEORGE and RONALD E. LUND, and each of them,
as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, to represent and
vote, as designated below, all shares of the undersigned at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Medtronic, Inc. at the Medtronic, Inc. Corporate
Center at its Rice Creek facility, 7000 Central Avenue N.E., Minneapolis
(Fridley), Minnesota, at 10:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Wednesday, August
25, 1999, and at any adjournment thereof.

In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MEDTRONIC, INC.




            (CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON OTHER SIDE)

<PAGE>



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_____________QUICK *** EASY **** IMMEDIATE                       COMPANY #
                                                                 CONTROL #
                                                                ----------------

Your telephone or internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares
in the same manner as if you marked, dated, signed and returned your proxy card.
Telephone and internet voting are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until
noon (ET), on August 24, 1999.

TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE:
1.  Using a touch-tone phone, call 1-800-240-6326. This is a toll-free call.
    Have your proxy card in hand when you call.
2.  When prompted, enter the Company number and Control number shown in the
    upper right corner of this proxy card. After following the voting
    instructions, your vote will be confirmed when you hear "Thank you for
    voting."

TO VOTE VIA THE INTERNET:
1.  Go to the website http://www.eproxy.com/mdt/ and enter the Company number
    and Control number in the upper right corner of this proxy card when
    prompted.
2.  Follow the step-by-step instructions on the computer screen.

TO VOTE BY MAIL:
1.  Mark, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the postage-paid
    envelope provided.


                           -- THANK YOU FOR VOTING --
     IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, DO NOT MAIL BACK THIS PROXY CARD


       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTES FOR ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1.  Set board size at fourteen members and elect four Class I Directors for
    three-year terms:

    Nominees: 01 Glen D. Nelson, M.D.  03 Jack W. Schuler        [ ] FOR           [ ] WITHHOLD
              02 Jean-Pierre Rosso     04 Gerald W. Simonson         all nominees      from all nominees

                                                                  ______________________________________
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE(S), |                                      |
WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE NOMINEE(S) IN THE BOX TO THE RIGHT.)  |______________________________________|


                        [ARROW] PLEASE FOLD HERE [ARROW]


2.  To approve an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles
    of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common
    Stock the Company is authorized to issue.                    [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

3.  To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's
    Management Incentive Plan.                                   [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

4.  To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's
    1994 Stock Award Plan.                                       [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain


5.  To approve appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
    the Company's independent auditors.                          [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain


THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED
FOR EACH PROPOSAL.


Address Change? Mark Box [ ]   [ ] Mark the box if you have more than one
Indicate changes below:            account and want to discontinue receiving
                                   multiple copies of future annual reports.

                                                                 Date ____________________________, 1999


                                                                  ______________________________________
                                                                 |                                      |
                                                                 |                                      |
                                                                 |______________________________________|

                                                                 Signature(s) in Box
                                                                 PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as
                                                                 name appears, indicating, if appropriate,
                                                                 official position or representative
                                                                 capacity. If stock is held in joint
                                                                 tenancy, each joint owner should sign.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                     [LOGO]
                                    MEDTRONIC
                     WHEN LIFE DEPENDS ON MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

                                 ANNUAL MEETING

                                 AUGUST 25, 1999
                  WEDNESDAY, 10:30 A.M., CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME

                                 MEDTRONIC, INC.
                                CORPORATE CENTER
                               RICE CREEK FACILITY
                             7000 CENTRAL AVE. N.E.
                        MINNEAPOLIS (FRIDLEY), MINNESOTA




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   PROXY CARD



 [LOGO]         MEDTRONIC, INC.
MEDTRONIC       7000 CENTRAL AVE. N.E.
                MINNEAPOLIS (FRIDLEY), MINNESOTA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The undersigned appoints WILLIAM W. GEORGE and RONALD E. LUND, and each of them,
as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, to represent and
vote, as designated below, all shares of the undersigned at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Medtronic, Inc. at the Medtronic, Inc. Corporate
Center at its Rice Creek facility, 7000 Central Avenue N.E., Minneapolis
(Fridley), Minnesota, at 10:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Wednesday, August
25, 1999, and at any adjournment thereof.

In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MEDTRONIC, INC.




            (CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON OTHER SIDE)

<PAGE>



                               TO VOTE YOUR PROXY


      Mark, sign and date the proxy card and return it in the postage-paid
                               envelope provided.





                           -- THANK YOU FOR VOTING --


       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTES FOR ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1.  Set board size at fourteen members and elect four Class I Directors for
    three-year terms:

    Nominees: 01 Glen D. Nelson, M.D.  03 Jack W. Schuler        [ ] FOR           [ ] WITHHOLD
              02 Jean-Pierre Rosso     04 Gerald W. Simonson         all nominees      from all nominees

                                                                  ______________________________________
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE(S), |                                      |
WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE NOMINEE(S) IN THE BOX TO THE RIGHT.)  |______________________________________|


                        [ARROW] PLEASE FOLD HERE [ARROW]


2.  To approve an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles
    of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common
    Stock the Company is authorized to issue.                    [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

3.  To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's
    Management Incentive Plan.                                   [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

4.  To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's
    1994 Stock Award Plan.                                       [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain


5.  To approve appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
    the Company's independent auditors.                          [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain


THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED
FOR EACH PROPOSAL.


Address Change? Mark Box [ ]   [ ] Mark the box if you have more than one
Indicate changes below:            account and want to discontinue receiving
                                   multiple copies of future annual reports.

                                                                 Date ____________________________, 1999


                                                                  ______________________________________
                                                                 |                                      |
                                                                 |                                      |
                                                                 |______________________________________|

                                                                 Signature(s) in Box
                                                                 PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as
                                                                 name appears, indicating, if appropriate,
                                                                 official position or representative
                                                                 capacity. If stock is held in joint
                                                                 tenancy, each joint owner should sign.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                   PROXY CARD


 [LOGO]         MEDTRONIC, INC.
MEDTRONIC       7000 CENTRAL AVE. N.E.
                MINNEAPOLIS (FRIDLEY), MINNESOTA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The undersigned appoints WILLIAM W. GEORGE and RONALD E. LUND, and each of them,
as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, to represent and
vote, as designated below, all shares of the undersigned at the 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Medtronic, Inc. at the Medtronic, Inc. Corporate
Center at its Rice Creek facility, 7000 Central Avenue N.E., Minneapolis
(Fridley), Minnesota, at 10:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time, on Wednesday, August
25, 1999, and at any adjournment thereof.

In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, MEDTRONIC, INC.




            (CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED AND DATED ON OTHER SIDE)

<PAGE>


       THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS VOTES FOR ITEMS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5.

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1.  Set board size at fourteen members and elect four Class I Directors for
    three-year terms:

    Nominees: 01 Glen D. Nelson, M.D.  03 Jack W. Schuler        [ ] FOR           [ ] WITHHOLD
              02 Jean-Pierre Rosso     04 Gerald W. Simonson         all nominees      from all nominees

                                                                  ______________________________________
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY NOMINEE(S), |                                      |
WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE NOMINEE(S) IN THE BOX TO THE RIGHT.)  |______________________________________|

2.  To approve an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles
    of Incorporation to increase the number of shares of Common
    Stock the Company is authorized to issue.                    [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

3.  To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's
    Management Incentive Plan.                                   [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

4.  To reapprove the performance criteria for the Company's
    1994 Stock Award Plan.                                       [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain


5.  To approve appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
    the Company's independent auditors.                          [ ] For     [ ] Against     [ ] Abstain

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED
FOR EACH PROPOSAL.


                                                                 Date ____________________________, 1999

                                                                  ______________________________________
                                                                 |                                      |
                                                                 |                                      |
                                                                 |______________________________________|

                                                                 Signature(s) in Box
                                                                 PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ABOVE exactly as
                                                                 name appears, indicating, if appropriate,
                                                                 official position or representative
                                                                 capacity. If stock is held in joint
                                                                 tenancy, each joint owner should sign.
</TABLE>



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