Revolutionary Electronic Membrane Could Replace Pacemakers

A revolutionary new electronic membrane is being created by scientists that could replace pacemakers forever. It is fitted over a heart to keep it beating regularly over an indefinite period of time, the Independent reported.

The device uses a "spider-web-like network of sensors and electrodes" to continuously monitor the heart's electrical activity and could, in the future, deliver electrical shocks maintain a healthy heart-rate.

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Washington University in St. Louis used computer modelling technology and a 3D-printer to create a prototype membrane and fit it to a rabbit's heart, keeping the organ operating perfect "outside of the body in a nutrient and oxygen-rich solution".

The use of high-resolution imaging technology means that unlike current pacemaker and implantable defibrillator technology, the thin, elastic membrane will be custom-made to fit "snugly" over the real heart.

Biomedical engineer Igor Efimov of Washington University, who helped design and test the device, said that when it senses such a catastrophic event as a heart attack or arrhythmia, it can also apply a high definition therapy.

Efimov told local radio station KWMU-1 that it can apply stimuli, electrical stimuli, from different locations on the device in an optimal fashion to stop this arrhythmia and prevent sudden cardiac death.

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The research is published in the journal Nature Communications.

Source-ANI