Researchers recently developed the world's first transient pacemaker. The stimulation device is fully biocompatible and therefore able to dissolve harmlessly in the body after use.
Temporary cardiac pacing involves sewing electrodes onto the heart muscle of patients after heart surgery or awaiting a permanent pacemaker. These electrodes have wires that come out of the chest to connect to an external stimulation box that delivers a current in order to control the heart rate. When the natural rhythm is restored, surgery is then necessary to remove the electrodes.
Although rare, potential complications implanted temporary pacemakers include infections, damaged tissue, bleeding, or blood clots. But above all, this type of device limits the patient's mobility , sometimes for several weeks.
As part of recent work published in Nature , researchers from Northwestern and George Washington universities have developed a new device capable of offering the same services while being much less restrictive.
Very light (half a gram) and very flexible (250 microns thick), this device can be implanted on the heart tissue to emit electrical impulses through a set of integrated electrodes. Unlike previous devices, this one is wireless , drawing its energy through an external antenna (NFC).
Another important point:this device is entirely biocompatible . This means that all components can be naturally absorbed into body fluids. Also, the rate at which it dissolves can be controlled by its composition and thickness. In their study, the researchers point out that the device usually disappears in five to seven weeks .
“The circuit is implanted directly on the surface of the heart and we can activate it remotely. Within weeks, this new type of pacemaker "dissolves" or degrades on its own, avoiding physical removal of the pacemaker electrodes “, details Dr. Rishi Arora, cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine.
“This transient pacemaker is awesome “said Dr. Duc Thinh Pham, from Northwestern University, who has performed more than 2,000 heart surgeries throughout his career. "In addition to addressing the primary issue of occasional post cardiac surgery patients requiring temporary pacing due to blockages or arrhythmias, the device addresses the secondary issue of patient comfort, ability to move freely and to readapt. If successful, this device will significantly improve a patient's post-operative outcome “.
So far, the team has tested their device only on the hearts of mice, rats, rabbits and dogs, as well as on human models. Further testing is still needed, but the researchers hope to be able to deliver their approach within the next five years .
