The device has so far been successfully tested on a series of animals.
An experimental pacemaker, without batteries, and which can completely dissolve in the body after a programmed time, was designed by American researchers.
This thin and light device is described Monday in the journal
Nature Biotechnology
.
It could help patients recovering from heart surgery who need temporary support to maintain their heart rate.
Fully implantable and bioresorbable cardiac pacemakers without leads or batteries https://t.co/1bhF1mIeDR pic.twitter.com/m5Zatdr8ZW
- Nature Biotechnology (@NatureBiotech) June 28, 2021
Currently, implantable pacemakers (or pacemakers) generally have tubes and connections inserted through the skin, with external material that pose a risk of infection and limit patient mobility.
In addition, when stimulation is no longer required, removal of the implanted device carries the risk of damaging cardiac tissue.
Wireless and battery-free
In an attempt to resolve these problems, researchers have therefore developed this fully implantable and absorbable pacemaker.
The device is powered by wireless energy transfer, without battery.
The materials of which it is composed are absorbed into the body by natural biological processes after a programmable period of time.
The flexibility of these materials also allows the device to conform to the curved surface of the heart and adapt to its movements.
Tests have shown the ability of this pacemaker to successfully stimulate hearts of varying sizes, in mouse, rat, rabbit and dog, as well as human heart tissue, and to completely degrade within three months of being treated. implantation in rats.
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