Another advancement in emergency heart care comes in the form of a new injectable, temporary pacemaker. Developed by researchers at Lund University, this nanoparticle gel is designed to regulate heart rhythms for up to five days, with crucial support in emergencies before safely dissolving within the body.
Heart arrhythmia, characterized by an irregular, too-fast, or too-slow heartbeat, poses health risks if not promptly treated. Therefore, researchers have created this portable, injectable alternative which involves a syringe equipped with an ultrathin needle, thinner than a human hair, which injects a solution containing nanoparticles. Upon contact with heart tissue, this solution forms an electrically conductive polymer hydrogel.
According to the research team, the injectable gel acts as a temporary electrode around the heart, enabling it to function like a pacemaker.
“The idea is that when needed, this can be injected into the chest of a patient with arrhythmia, where it forms a kind of electrode around the heart,” the team explains.
The injection site serves as a point of contact for an external device, potentially even a mobile phone, allowing for ECG measurements and the delivery of low-power electrical stimulation to regulate the heartbeat.
The nanoparticle gel is designed to correct arrhythmia for up to five days, providing a critical window for patients to reach a hospital for more permanent treatment. Remarkably, the gel is naturally excreted by the body, eliminating the need for surgical removal after its job is done.
Initial testing of the injectable pacemaker was conducted on zebrafish and chicken embryos, with promising results. The gel effectively adhered to the heart without interfering with its function, and the test subjects showed no signs of toxicity or behavioral changes during or after the gel’s presence.
“The gel was of a consistency that let it adhere to the heart, without negatively affecting its beating,” the researchers noted.
The next phase of research involves testing the gel on larger animals with more human-like physiology. Ultimately, the team aims to develop a mobile app that can control the pacemaker, making it even more accessible and user-friendly in emergencies.
This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.
Source: Lund University
