Can a Light-Activated Pacemaker Change Care?

A Challenge in Temporary Heart Pacing

Temporary pacemakers play a critical role after heart surgery or during short recovery periods. Yet many existing devices depend on wires, external power units, and surgical removal. These elements increase infection risk and can damage delicate tissue.

For newborns and pediatric patients, these risks are even higher. Their smaller bodies and sensitive organs leave little room for error. Clinicians have long needed a safer, simpler option for short-term heart support.

What This New Pacemaker Is

Researchers at Northwestern University developed a pacemaker that is smaller than a grain of rice. It is thin, lightweight, and small enough to be injected with a syringe rather than implanted through surgery.

Despite its size, the device can deliver precise electrical pulses to regulate the heart rhythm. It is designed only for temporary use, which allows its structure and materials to remain simple and safe.

How the Device Works

The pacemaker does not operate on its own. It works together with a soft, wearable patch placed on the chest. This external device monitors the heart and communicates with the pacemaker using light.

The process follows a clear sequence:

• The pacemaker is injected near the heart
• A wearable sensor tracks heart rhythm
• When pacing is needed, the wearable emits light pulses
• The pacemaker converts the light into electrical stimulation

This approach removes the need for wires and implanted batteries. The device draws power from interactions with the body’s fluids.

Why Light Activation Matters

Using light instead of radio signals or wired connections offers several advantages. Light can pass through skin and tissue with precision. It also allows external control without physical contact with the implanted device.

This makes pacing more accurate and easier to adjust. It also reduces interference with other medical equipment and lowers the risk of mechanical failure.

Designed to Disappear Safely

The pacemaker is bioresorbable, meaning it dissolves naturally after it is no longer needed. Over time, the materials break down and are absorbed by the body.

This eliminates the need for a second procedure to remove the device. For patients, this means less pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery. For clinicians, it simplifies treatment planning and follow-up care.

Potential Impact on Patient Care

This innovation could reshape how doctors approach temporary heart pacing.

Key advantages include:

• No surgical implantation or removal
• No wires crossing the skin
• Reduced infection and tissue damage risk
• Better suitability for infants and fragile patients

The design prioritizes safety while maintaining reliable performance.

Looking Ahead

While the device is currently designed for temporary pacing, the underlying concepts may influence future cardiac technologies. Light-based control, ultra-small electronics, and bioresorbable materials could extend to other medical implants.

This research points toward a future where medical devices are less invasive, more precise, and easier on the patient’s body.