World’s Smallest Pacemaker Is the Size of a Grain of Rice

Engineers from Northwestern University revealed what they called “the world’s smallest pacemaker” connected April 2, with the tiny instrumentality measuring smaller than a atom of rice.

The assemblage said the pacemaker is truthful tiny that it tin acceptable wrong the extremity of a syringe to beryllium inserted into the assemblage and dissolve aft it’s nary longer needed.

The pacemaker is paired with a small, flexible, wireless instrumentality that sits connected a patient’s thorax to power bosom pacing.

If the instrumentality detects an irregular heartbeat, it automatically shines a airy pulse to activate the pacemaker. The abbreviated pulses, which penetrate done the patient’s skin, breastbone and muscles, power the heartbeat. The airy past flashes connected and disconnected astatine a complaint that corresponds to the close pacing.

The assemblage said that though it tin enactment with hearts of each sizes, the pacemaker is peculiarly well-suited to the tiny, fragile hearts of newborn babies with congenital bosom defects.

Footage by John A Rogers of Northwestern University shows the size of the pacemaker connected a digit and the detector flashing to the pulses of the pacemaker. The assemblage besides released a graphic that elaborate however the pacemaker works.

Northwestern University besides released images comparing the size of the pacemaker to a quarter, a penny, a pencil tip, and the oculus of a needle. Credit: John A. Rogers/Northwestern University via Storyful