Researchers from the North -West University have developed an extremely small pacemaker promises to revolutionize heart proceduresEspecially for the most vulnerable patients.
New device, less than rice grainIt is significant progress in medical miniaturization. Its unusually small size (only 1.8 mm wide, 3.5 mm long and 1 millimeter thick) allows you to enter it into the body through a non -invasive syringe.
“We have developed what, as we know, is the smallest pacemaker in the world,” says John A. Rogers, a bioelectronics pioneer in the north -west and the head of the development of devices. “Eat Critical need for temporary pacemakers in the context of pediatric cardiac surgeryAnd this is a case of use when miniaturization of size is incredibly important.
Focus on pediatric patients
This small pacemaker reacts to a particularly sensitive medical need: newborns with congenital heart defectsAbout 1% of children are born with a field with some kind of heart defect, regardless of life in limited or resources.
Igor Efimov, the experimental northwestern cardiologist and co-author of the study, explains: “Children were our main motivation. Good news is that These children need temporary stimulation only after surgeryAfter about seven days, the heart of most patients will be repaid. But these seven days are absolutely critical.
Innovative operation with light activation
The system works through a complex mechanism that combines Extraordinary miniaturization with a brilliant system of light activationThe tiny pacemaker is implanted in the heart and works synchronized with A portable external device that is placed on the patient’s chest.
This is an external device Constantly monitor the frequency of heart contractions And when he discovers violations, automatically radiates infrared light impulsesThe field can penetrate the skin, sternum and muscles of the patient, Activates the internal pacemaker which generates electrical impulses necessary to regulate the rhythm of the heart.
Technologies use The natural ability of the human body to bring infrared lightCreating a non -invasive bridge between the external device and the internal pacemaker. “Infrared light penetrates the body very well,” explains Dr. Efimov. “If we tilt the flashlight to the palm, we will see light on the other side. He gets that our body is an excellent driver of light. ”
Biodegradable technology
Perhaps one of the most revolutionary aspects of this device is the fact that it was developed to naturally dissolves in the body When it is no longer needed. All components are biocompatible, so they gradually break up in the biofluids of the body, completely eliminating the need for rear surgical removal.
This characteristic solves a significant problem with current temporary pacemakerswhich require electrodes that are released from the patient’s chest, and that they need to be removed, with the risk of complications such as infection, movement, tissue damage, bleeding and blood clots that can be fatal.
Rogers explains: “Minimizing the size, We radically simplify the implementation proceduresWe reduce the injury and risk to the patient, and, with the nature of the dissolution of the device, eliminate any need for secondary surgical removal procedures.
Battery supplied by body liquids
To achieve this extremely small size, investigators The power supply of the device invented completely againThe pacemaker is fed by a galvanic cell, a simple but effective type of battery, which turns the chemical energy of the body fluids into electricity. Ingenasic design uses two different metal as electrodes for generating and sending electrical impulses to the heart.
This is innovation Elimination of the need for traditional batteries or receiving antennasWhich was fundamental for the extraordinary miniaturization of the device.
Universality and future applications
Despite its small size, This pacemaker provides stimulation as a normal pacemakerProving that in this case the small size is not incompatible with efficiency. Extreme miniaturization also allows Distribute several of these devices in different areas of the heartBy controlling them independently, using different colors of light to obtain more complex synchronization, which allow traditional pacemakers.
This pioneering technology opens up a wide range of bioelectronic medicine capabilities, which goes far beyond the scope of the cardiac region, including applications for Help nerves and bones to healIN Complex wounds And Chronic pain Through specific and controlled electrical incentives.
A study published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature demonstrates The effectiveness of the device in a series of large and small animals of modelsAs well as in the human hearts of the deceased organs, which are a good omen for their clinical implementation. This innovation is WithHigh quantum in the treatment of heart diseaseEspecially for small and more vulnerable patients.