Researchers have invented the world's smallest pacemaker a medical device that controls the heartbeat and dissolves after being used inside the body. Researchers hope this invention will help prevent further surgeries and make the life of many patients easier.
A team from Northwestern University and The George Washington University invented this new pacemaker. The research findings were published in Nature magazine.
This pacemaker is much smaller than standard pacemakers. This miniature device is approximately 1.8 mm wide, 3.5 mm long and 1 mm thick. That makes it possible to implant inside the body by a simple injection since its size corresponds to the tip of a syringe.
Contrary to usual pacemakers that include wires and a battery inside the body, this new invention doesn't contain any wires or a battery. It gets energy from a wearable patch put on the patient's chest. In case of heartbeat irregularity detected by the patch, it gives off a light signal that turns on the pacemaker and regulates the heart rhythm.
Another unique feature of the device is that the product will dissolve in the body once its mission is accomplished. According to the needs of the patient, the pacemaker can function for several days or even weeks until it disintegrates into harmless materials that the body can absorb. In this case, it is unlikely that patients will have to undergo surgery for removal of the device and suffer from all the associated problems such as infections, pain, and other complications.
The scientists believe that the dissolvable pacemaker will be extremely useful for the treatment of newborn babies with congenital heart disease, children with heart malfunctions after undergoing heart surgery, and adults in need of a short-time assistance to the heart functioning after specific medical operations. The temporary pacemaker is exactly what patients need.
The experiments and tests conducted in laboratories and with animals showed the effectiveness and perfect performance of the dissolvable pacemaker in restoring heart rhythms. It is likely that the scientists will continue studying this promising technology before putting it to use.
The technology used for the device can be applied in making other medical implants which disintegrate after performing their tasks. There is potential use of these devices in the future for treating neurological problems, repairing damaged tissues or delivering drugs inside the body.
The experts consider the new invention to be a landmark development in medical technology. The invention uses three important factors of miniaturization, wireless power generation and biodegradability, which can make heart treatments easier, safer and more convenient for the patients across the globe.
Although there is much testing and approvals required for using the device in the hospitals, but the experts consider it to be a promising future for heart treatments and other implantable medical devices.