Health

A group of American researchers has developed a transient pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed. The device is paired with a suite of wearable sensors, providing real-time data on the patient’s condition.

The implant is designed for people recovering from heart injury or surgery who need a pacemaker for a short time. Once the patient is cured, the stimulator automatically disintegrates and is harmlessly absorbed by the body.

This means that only one surgery is required, to implant the flexible device on the heart. Moreover, it is not necessary to connect it to a battery, since it is powered wirelessly by an external antenna. The entire device is only 250 microns thick and weighs less than half a gram.

Another specificity of the implant is its ability to stretch and bend, allowing it to adapt to the surface of a beating heart. It also releases an anti-inflammatory drug when it dissolves, to prevent an immune reaction from the body.

Thanks to this innovation, “Patients might recover from the comfort of their own homes while maintaining the peace of mind that comes with being monitored remotely by their physicians. It will also help reduce the cost of healthcare and free up hospital beds for other patients,” commented Professor John Rogers, who conducted the research.

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