A pacemaker is a device that helps control an irregular heartbeat by sending electrical pulses to the heart’s chambers. The first implantation of a fully implantable pacemaker occurred all the way back in 1958. Since then, there have been numerous advances in the field, with devices growing smaller and more efficient over time. Recently, scientists created the smallest pacemaker in the world. In fact, it is even smaller than a grain of rice! This temporary heartbeat regulator is injected into a patient and controlled via light signals before completely dissolving.
The Development of the World’s Smallest Pacemaker
At the moment, this breakthrough technology is still years away from human trials. However, it is being lauded as a transformative technology that could potentially prompt significant medicinal advances in the future. Currently, there are millions of people across the world who live with permanent pacemakers. However, the team was motivated to create this device to help those children with rare congenital heart defects who require a temporary pacemaker for the first week following surgery. Luckily, most children’s hearts self-repair after around seven days, so they only require pacemakers temporarily. However, the week following surgery is very critical. Having a device that doesn’t require invasive surgery makes a huge difference for the patients.
Additionally, it could potentially also help restore the heartbeat of adults in the process of recovering from heart surgery. The currently existing temporary pacemakers have electrodes that need to be surgically connected to heart muscles. When the temporary pacemaker is no longer in use, these wires get pulled out, which can often cause significant damage. For example, in 2012, the famous astronaut Neil Armstrong passed away from internal hemorrhaging after his pacemaker was removed. However, this new device is completely wireless and is so small that it can fit into the tip of a syringe. Most impressively, it dissolves when it is no longer in use, which means that patients don’t have to undergo any invasive surgeries.
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The Smallest Pacemaker Has Proven Effective in Animal Tests
The world’s smallest pacemaker is wirelessly connected to a soft patch that is placed on the patient’s chest. If it detects an irregular heartbeat, the patch instantly flashes a light that signals to the pacemaker which heartbeat to stimulate. But, if the pacemaker is smaller than a grain of rice, what powers it? Well, apparently it is powered by a galvanic cell that converts chemical energy into electrical impulses using the body’s own fluids. It has so far proven to work effectively in trials involving dogs, pigs, rats, mice, and human heart tissue. The team’s previous model had worked well, but it required an antenna receiver, which limited the scope for miniaturization.
This is why they decided to move away from radio frequency wireless control to a light-based system. John Rogers, the study’s senior author, has estimated that they were about two to three years away from human trials. Additionally, Rogers stated that the technology also had the potential to “create unique and powerful strategies to address societal challenges in human health. Because it’s so small, this pacemaker can be integrated with almost any kind of implantable device.” The adaptability of the technology allows for a wide range of different applications in bioelectronic medicines, such as aiding nerve and bone healing, treating wounds, and reducing pain.
The Bottom Line
The invention of the world’s smallest pacemaker is a significant advancement in medical technology. Its non-invasive delivery technique and ability to disintegrate after use make it a huge improvement over existing temporary pacemakers. This breakthrough technology has the potential to transform postoperative treatment for children with heart abnormalities and people recovering from surgery. It also has the potential to enhance patient outcomes by removing the risks associated with conventional pacemaker removal. As research advances and human trials approach, the future of heart care – and maybe other fields of bioelectronic medicine – looks extremely promising.
Lead Image Credit: Northwestern University