World’s Tiniest Pacemaker Is Smaller Than a Grain of Rice
1 min read
Summary
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a tiny, biocompatible pacemaker that is controlled by light and is designed to dissolve inside the body after it is no longer needed.
The wireless device, which is approximately 23 times smaller than current bioabsorbable pacemakers, detects and corrects irregular heartbeats and could be used to stimulate the regeneration of nerves and bones, as well as to heal wounds.
The team’s experiments demonstrated that the pacemaker could reliably stimulate the heart in different chambers and could be controlled individually with different infrared light frequencies.
Although the technology is not specifically for the heart and could be used for a variety of therapies, it could be particularly useful for babies and other patients requiring less invasive treatments.
