Tue Apr 22 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Rice-Grain Pacemaker Revolutionizes Cardiac Care
**Chennai, India (April 22, 2025)** – Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a revolutionary temporary pacemaker smaller than a grain of rice, potentially eliminating the need for invasive procedures in cardiac patients. The bioresorbable device, detailed in a recent *Nature* publication, is implanted non-invasively and powered by converting bodily fluids into electrical energy.
Unlike traditional pacemakers requiring surgery for implantation and removal, this miniature device is injected directly into the heart. After its use (typically four to seven days), it dissolves harmlessly into the body’s tissue. The device’s size represents a significant improvement over previous small pacemakers, being 2.5 times smaller than its closest predecessor.
The pacemaker is controlled by a chest patch that transmits infrared light signals to adjust the heart rate if irregularities are detected. Testing on animals and human hearts has shown successful results with a minimal 25-microsecond delay between signal transmission and adjustment. The researchers suggest multiple pacemakers could be used to stimulate the heart at various points.
This breakthrough holds significant promise for infants with congenital heart disease and patients recovering from cardiac surgery, eliminating the risks associated with invasive procedures such as infection and bleeding. The researchers believe this innovative technology will greatly enhance cardiac care.
First Piper 