Researchers Develop Ultrasound Pacemaker Patch Tested in 3 Models
Updated
Updated · Hackaday · Jun 13
Researchers Develop Ultrasound Pacemaker Patch Tested in 3 Models
2 articles · Updated · Hackaday · Jun 13
Summary
Rats, pigs and human heart-cell samples responded to a new pacemaker system that uses an ultrasound patch on the outside of the chest instead of an implanted battery-powered device.
A simple injection delivers RNA-based gene therapy that makes heart cells produce a sound-sensitive protein; ultrasound then opens ion channels, lets in calcium and triggers each beat.
The design aims to avoid repeat surgeries now needed to replace pacemaker batteries, which can require operations as often as every 5 years.
Patients would still need a small external data-and-power module, carried in a pocket, while the chest patch provides the pacing signal.
With heartbeats controlled by a wireless device, what prevents this life-saving technology from being hacked?
If ultrasound can pace the heart, could it soon be used to precisely treat brain disorders like depression?
Could editing our hearts to respond to ultrasound create unforeseen health risks years down the line?
The Noninvasive Ultrasound Pacemaker: A Breakthrough in Surgery-Free, Wearable Cardiac Rhythm Therapy
Overview
Cardiac care is undergoing a major change with the development of the noninvasive ultrasound pacemaker. Currently, there is no non-invasive cardiac pacing device suitable for long-term use in conscious patients, which highlights a critical unmet need in cardiology. This new technology uses the principles of sonogenetics, a field that explores how acoustic waves can influence biological systems. Ultrasound, made of acoustic waves, can safely penetrate the body and interact with internal structures. By building on these principles, the noninvasive ultrasound pacemaker offers a promising alternative to traditional implantable devices, potentially transforming heart rhythm management without surgery.