Scientists have developed a tiny pacemaker that can be injected, controlled by light, and dissolve into the body. The device, smaller than a grain of rice, is a “transformative breakthrough” that could lead to advances in other areas of medicine.
Current pacemakers, which stimulate hearts with electrical pulses, require surgery to sew electrodes onto heart muscles and are often pulled out when no longer needed, potentially causing damage. The new device eliminates this need, sparing patients invasive procedures.
The pacemaker is paired with a soft patch worn on the chest that detects irregular heartbeats and flashes light to guide the pacemaker’s stimulation. It uses a galvanic cell to convert chemical energy into electrical pulses that stimulate the heart.
Tests have shown the pacemaker works effectively in mice, rats, pigs, dogs, and human heart tissue. A start-up has been launched to test the device in humans within two to three years. The underlying technology could also address societal challenges in human health, including nerve regeneration and wound healing.
This breakthrough is seen as a significant leap forward in medical technology, opening possibilities beyond cardiology, such as integrated smart implants. With heart disease being the world’s leading cause of death, this innovation holds promise for revolutionizing treatment options.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/breakthrough-worlds-smallest-pacemaker-is-the-size-of-a-rice-grain