In a new development, scientists at Northwestern and George Washington universities have created the first-ever transient and dissolvable pacemaker. As per the experts, it is a leadless, battery-free and fully implantable pacing device that completely dissolves after a defined time frame.
The cardiac pacemaker proves to be beneficial for those patients who need it for a few days or for temporary pacing. For instance, it is usually required after cardiac surgery to control cardiac rate and rhythm.
Published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, the study demonstrates that the procedure does not involve surgical extraction as the components of the pacemaker naturally absorb into the body’s biofluids over the course of five to seven weeks.
The traditional temporary cardiac pacemakers used in the post-operative period involved the risk of getting infected or dislodged and could also possibly damage the heart during lead removal. As suggested by John A. Rogers, who led the research, the wireless and transient pacemaker helps overcome the previously known disadvantages and offers “potential for reduced costs and improved outcomes.”
Also Watch: Scientists develop a 'pacemaker' for the brain