The following study was conducted by Scientists from University of Arizona, Tucson, USA; Northwestern University, Evanston, USA; The George Washington University, Washington, USA; Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China; Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Scientists developed novel affordable pacemaker model for exploration of clinical therapeutic strategies such as electrotherapy, gene therapy and optogenetics in cardiovascular research. Multimodal and multisite applicable pacemaker is an ultra-miniaturized, wireless and fully implantable bio-engineered device showing promising application in designing targeted therapeutic platforms for a set of cardiovascular ailments. Study is published in Nature Communications as detailed below.
Nature Communications, Volume 10, Article number: 5742 (2019).
Wireless, Battery-free, Fully Implantable Multimodal and Multisite Pacemakers for Applications in Small Animal Models
Abstract
Small animals support a wide range of pathological phenotypes and genotypes as versatile, affordable models for pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and for exploration of strategies in electrotherapy, gene therapy, and optogenetics. Pacing tools in such contexts are currently limited to tethered embodiments that constrain animal behaviors and experimental designs. Here, we introduce a highly miniaturized wireless energy-harvesting and digital communication electronics for thin, miniaturized pacing platforms weighing 110 mg with capabilities for subdermal implantation and tolerance to over 200,000 multiaxial cycles of strain without degradation in electrical or optical performance. Multimodal and multisite pacing in ex vivo and in vivo studies over many days demonstrate chronic stability and excellent biocompatibility. Optogenetic stimulation of cardiac cycles with in-animal control and induction of heart failure through chronic pacing serve as examples of modes of operation relevant to fundamental and applied cardiovascular research and biomedical technology.
Source:
Nature Communications.
URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13637-w
Citation:
Gutruf, P., Yin, R.T., Lee, K.B. et al. Wireless, battery-free, fully implantable multimodal and multisite pacemakers for applications in small animal models. Nat Commun 10, 5742 (2019). doi:10.1038/s41467-019-13637-w
