Dissolvable pacemaker delivers temporary cardiac support without wires, surgery

Editor's Note

Researchers have developed a fully dissolvable, needle-injectable pacemaker that regulates heart rhythms without requiring surgical removal.

As detailed in an April 2 article in Scientific American, the miniature device—just millimeters in size—can deliver electrical stimulation for days to weeks before safely breaking down in the body, potentially reducing complications tied to conventional temporary pacemakers.

Traditional temporary pacemakers rely on wired electrodes connected to an external battery. This construction presents risks, the outlet reports, citing the 2012 case of astronaut Neil Armstrong, who suffered fatal bleeding after the removal of temporary pacemaker wires.  

According to the article, the wireless, battery-free pacemaker uses two metal electrodes—made from combinations of magnesium, zinc, and molybdenum—that react with electrolytes in the body to generate an electric current, forming a galvanic cell. The system includes a light-activated switch that controls pacing by responding to near-infrared light, which penetrates the skin. A flexible skin patch monitors the patient’s heart rate and triggers the pacemaker to activate when needed.

The device may be especially valuable in delicate situations, such as pacing a newborn’s heart, developers say. Its temporary nature—functioning for several days to a few weeks depending on material choices—makes it suitable for post-surgical or emergency use.

Researchers are now pursuing clinical translation through a startup, Scientific American reports. Selecting materials that balance effective function with safe biodegradation will be crucial to minimizing immune reactions.