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Dissolving Pacemaker in the Works

Igor Efimov | Via Medpage Today | May 11, 2020

An experimental temporary pacemaker that is miniaturized, externally powered, and fully bioresorbable is being developed.

The 1-cm-diameter device successfully triggered ventricular activation in mouse, rabbit, and human heart tissue and in live animals, according to an early study released at the virtual annual conference of the Heart Rhythm Society.

The device could pace the heart for up to 32 days and be implanted with bioadhesive, Rose T. Yin, BS, a graduate student at Washington University in St. Louis, and colleagues reported.

“We’re creating a device without a battery that’s so small we can implant them in a much safer way than traditional temporary pacemakers. Then it will be absorbed when its work is finished,” co-author Igor Efimov, PhD, of Washington University in St. Louis, told MedPage Today. “Or in another implementation, they may not need to be absorbed: if it doesn’t have a battery, you could potentially make them last for a very long time… Continue reading.

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