Using the light, friends and me has designed a wireless, ultra-thin pacemaker that works like a solar panel. This design not only eliminates the need for batteries, but also minimizes disruption to the heart’s natural function by molding to the heart’s contours. In our recent research, Published in Nature magazineoffers a new approach to treatments that require electrical stimulation, such as cardiac pacing.

Pacemaker is a medical device It is implanted in the body to regulate heart rhythm. These consist of an electronic circuit with a battery and leads that are fixed to the heart muscle to stimulate the heart muscle. However, the lead can break and cause tissue damage. The position of the lead cannot be changed once implanted, which limits access to other areas of the heart. Pacemakers use hard metal electrodes that can damage tissue in the following situations: Restarting the heart after surgery or Arrhythmia regulation.

Our team envisioned a leadless, more flexible pacemaker that could precisely stimulate multiple regions of the heart. So we designed the following device. Converts light into bioelectricity, or the electrical signals produced by heart cells. Thinner than a human hair, our pacemakers are made of optical fibers and silicone membranes. Tenken and colleagues at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering It’s been years in development.

Similar to solar panels, this pacemaker is powered by light.

Unlike conventional solar cells Typically designed to collect as much energy as possible, we tweaked the device so that it only generates electricity where light hits it, allowing us to precisely control heartbeats. This was achieved by using a layer of very small pores that can trap light and electrical current. Only the heart muscle exposed to the light-activated pores is stimulated.

Our device is so small and light that it can be implanted without opening the chest.we were able to The transplant was successful. It coordinates the beating of various cardiac muscles within the hearts of rodents and adult pigs.because pig heart Anatomically similar to the human heart, this achievement shows the potential for our device to reach people.

why is it important

Heart disease is leading causes of death around the world. Every year, Over 2 million people Undergo open heart surgery to treat heart problems. implant device Regulates heart rhythm and prevents heart attacks.

Our ultra-lightweight device gently conforms to the surface of the heart, allowing for minimally invasive stimulation and improved pacing and synchronized contractions. To reduce postoperative trauma and recovery time, our devices can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques.

What is not known yet

Currently, our technology is best used first for cardiac emergencies, such as post-surgical cardiac restart, heart attack, and ventricular defibrillation. We continue to study its long-term effects and durability in the human body.

The internal environment of the body is rich in body fluids It is hindered by the constant mechanical movement of the heart. This can impair the functionality of your device over time.

Additionally, researchers do not fully understand how the body responds to long-term exposure to medical devices.formation of scar tissue Sensitivity may decrease if present around the device after implantation. We develop special surface treatments and biomaterial coatings to reduce the possibility of rejection.

When a device malfunctions, it produces non-toxic substances that can be safely absorbed by the human body; silicic acidAssessing the body’s response to long-term transplantation is essential to ensure safety and efficacy.

what’s next

We are improving the natural rate of dissolution in the body to enable long-term implantation and tailor the device to each patient. We are considering enhancements to make the device compatible as a wearable pacemaker. This involves incorporating wireless light-emitting diodes (LEDs) under the skin that are connected to the device via fiber optics.

Our ultimate goal is to expand the scope of what we call photoelectroceuticals beyond cardiac care.This too nerve stimulationneuroprostheses and pain management to treat neurodegenerative conditions such as: parkinson’s disease.

of research summary A short summary of interesting academic research.

Li Pengzhu candidate in molecular engineering at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.This article is republished from conversation under Creative Commons License.read Original work.