Chinese researchers have developed a leadless pacemaker that generates electricity from cardiac motion, potentially eliminating battery replacement surgeries through its electromagnetic energy-harvesting design.
Cardiac patients facing repeated pacemaker replacement surgeries may soon have a permanent solution, as researchers from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and Peking University unveil a self-powering pacemaker that converts heartbeats into electricity. This breakthrough, documented in Nature Biomedical Engineering, addresses the fundamental limitation of current devices: finite battery life requiring replacement every 5-10 years through invasive surgeries carrying infection risks and costing up to $23,000 per procedure.
How the Energy-Harvesting Technology Works
At the core of the innovation is an electromagnetic induction system that transforms the heart's kinetic energy into electrical current. The 15mm capsule-shaped device employs a magnetic levitation mechanism where a suspended magnet moves within a coil during each cardiac contraction. This motion generates electrical current through Faraday's law of induction, producing an average output of 120 microwatts – twelve times the 10 microwatts needed for basic pacing functions. The frictionless magnetic suspension minimizes mechanical wear, showing only 4% degradation after simulated testing equivalent to 10 years of continuous use (300 million heartbeats).
Comparative Advantages Over Traditional Pacemakers
- Lifespan: Eliminates battery replacement surgeries by operating indefinitely vs. 5-10 year lifespans of lithium-ion batteries
- Power Efficiency: Generates 120µW consistently, exceeding requirements while accommodating heart rate variability
- Form Factor: Leadless capsule design (vs. traditional wired models) enables minimally invasive implantation via femoral vein catheterization
- Durability: Biocompatible titanium casing withstands physiological conditions with minimal wear
- Cost Projection: Targets 60-70% cost reduction versus current premium imported units ($23,000+)
In porcine trials, the device successfully treated bradycardia for one month using solely harvested energy, maintaining stable 70-80 BPM heart rates without external power. The research team aims to commence human trials before 2030, with potential applications extending to neurostimulators and bone growth devices.
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