University of Arizona
Pacemakers save lives by controlling heart pacing, but current options rely on invasive devices that can cause discomfort and pain. A recent Medgadget article discussed an innovative new light-powered pacemaker that aims to improve patient comfort. A team of researchers at the University of Arizona developed the device. It contains four “petals” that wrap around the heart and use light to stimulate genetically-modified cardiomyocytes to contract. Rather than sending electrical shocks through the entire heart like current pacemakers, the new optogenetic version can deliver more precise targeting without the shock.
