A Pacemaker Smaller than a Grain of Rice

Engineers at Northwestern University have created an incredibly small pacemaker, so tiny it is smaller than a grain of rice.

This pacemaker can be injected into the body using a syringe that works alongside a soft, flexible, wireless device worn on the chest to control pacing.

The wearable device monitors the heart and, if it detects an irregular heartbeat, sends a light pulse through the skin to activate the pacemaker and regulate the heartbeat.

While it can be used for hearts of all sizes, this technology is especially beneficial for newborns with delicate hearts affected by congenital defects.

source Northwestern University