The pacemaker is smaller than the rice grain, only 1 mm thick and 3.5 mm long, which can fit in the needle tip.
The pacemaker is smaller than the grain of rice. Image: John A. Rogers
The group of scientists at Northwestern University on April 2 announced that they developed the smallest pacemaker in the world, a temporary smaller heart rate adjustment device than rice grains that could be injected into the body and controlled by light, then dissolved itself. Although there are many more years to be tested in humans, this wireless heart rate generator is introduced as a breakthrough that can promote progress in other medical fields.
Millions of people around the world have permanent pacemaker. This device stimulates the heart with electrical impulses to ensure normal heartbeat. However, in the new research, an expert group wants to help 1% of children born with congenital heart defects and need temporary pacemaker in the first week after surgery.
This pacemaker can also help adults restore normal heart rate during post -heart recovery process. Currently, temporary pacemakers often need surgery to sew electrodes into the heart muscle, with wires to a power supply device in the patient’s chest. When the pacemaker is not needed anymore, the wire will be drawn, sometimes it can cause damage.
However, the new heart rate machine does not need a wire. Only 1 mm thick and 3.5 mm long, the device can fit in the needle tip. It is also designed to dissolve when it is no longer needed, helping patients avoid invasive surgery.
According to research in the magazine Naturethe new heart rate machine will connect to a soft patch on the patient’s chest. When the patch detects irregular heart rate, it will automatically emit light to notify the device that needs to stimulate the heart rate.
The pacemaker receives energy from Galvanic battery, using liquids in the body to convert chemical energy into heart -stimulating electrical impulses. The device has been operated effectively in testing on mice, pigs, dogs and heart tissue in the laboratory.
John Rogers, the main author of the research, expert at the University of Northwestern, estimates that the pacemaker can be tested on people in the next 2-3 years. He said that in the future, this technology can create unique and effective strategies to address challenges in the field of health.