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The heart is a powerful organ, behind every beat, breath, and movement. This vital muscle is the sustainer of life, and keeps everything in the body working as it should.
While heart defects may be present at birth, an innovative pacemaker may save lives. According to ScienceAlert, scientists have now developed a pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice that can be injected into the body non-invasively. It could be a breakthrough in the treatment of congenital heart defects.
A Light-Activated Device
The World Health Organization reports that heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Luckily, one breakthrough could make a difference.
A study published in Nature introduced the medical world to an incredible device: a temporary pacemaker, smaller than a grain of rice, that can be delivered via injection and then dissolves harmlessly when it is no longer needed.
These pacemakers can be used in many applications, but are especially suited to infants who have been born with congenital heart defects, and can serve as a temporary device after heart surgery, according to a Northwestern University press release.
How the Pacemaker Works
First, the pacemaker itself is made of biocompatible materials, allowing it to dissolve naturally in the body when no longer needed. Researchers developed an innovative battery using two metal electrodes that generate power when in contact with biofluids. Finally, the pacemaker is activated by a pulse of infrared light emitted from a wearable device. When the wearable device detects a drop in heart rate, it emits a pulse of infrared light to activate the pacemaker, which then keeps the heart beating the way it should.
A Life-Changing Solution
Temporary pacemakers are not new. In fact, Neil Armstrong had one installed after heart surgery, and experienced complications. This highlights the risks these devices can pose.
In addition to the invasive surgeries required to install and remove a temporary pacemaker, they are also operated in an uncomfortable and unwieldy manner: electrodes are sewn into the heart and the wires from those electrodes protrude out of the chest and connect to an external pacing box. It doesn’t take much imagination to realize how suboptimal that sort of setup is, both for the patient and the clinicians.
Fortunately, the new temporary pacemakers developed by the Northwestern team constitute an incredible breakthrough. The ingenious and creative device may now save lives by supporting the hearts of patients of all ages.
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