Northwestern Creates World's Smallest Injectable Pacemaker

Northwestern University engineers have developed the world's smallest pacemaker, designed to help newborns with congenital heart defects. The device, smaller than a grain of rice, can be injected non-invasively using a syringe and dissolves after its temporary use, eliminating the need for surgical removal. It's paired with a wireless wearable device that detects irregular heartbeats and activates the pacemaker through a light pulse. This innovative pacemaker is powered by body fluids via a galvanic cell, representing a safer and less invasive option than traditional methods. The new pacemaker has shown promising results in animal studies and could significantly reduce risks associated with temporary pacemakers in pediatric heart surgeries. Researchers emphasize the critical need for such miniaturization in pediatric applications, as around 1% of newborns have heart defects requiring temporary pacing.