IJN successfully implants 4 worlds smallest pacemaker devices in patients

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Heart Institute (IJN) has successfully implanted four of the world’s smallest pacemaker devices, the Medtronic MICRA Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS), in each of its patients suffering from bradycardia (slow or irregular heartbeat).

Its senior consultant cardiologist and electro physiologist, Datuk Dr Razali Omar said this was done after being chosen as the first centre in Asia Pacific to participate with Medtronic Inc, the world’s largest maker of medical devices’ global clinical study.

“The new device is an innovation from the previous pacemaker devices which were used to treat patients suffering from a slow or irregular heart rhythm known as bradycardia.

“The device was implanted as part of the Medtronic global pivotal clinical trial that will enrol up to 780 patients within two years at apporoximately 50 centres,” he said at a press conference here today.

Dr Razali said if the clinical trial was positive, the result could potentially benefit more than one million people globally, who received pacemakers each year.

Meanwhile, Senior Engineering Director (MICRA) of TPS, United States, Leonardo Rapallini said MICRA TPS was one-tenth of the size of a conventional pacemaker, and comparable in size to a large vitamin.

“Unlike traditional pacemakers, the new device is a fully self-contained, miniaturised pacemaker designed to provide patients with bradycardia, the most advanced pacing technology, via a minimally invasive approach.

“The estimated battery life of the device is between nine and 13 years, and responds to a patient’s activity level and adjusts therapy automatically,” he said. – BERNAMA

 

 

via IJN successfully implants 4 worlds smallest pacemaker devices in patients – Latest – New Straits Times.

Heartbeat ‘could power pacemaker’

Can the heart power a device to look after the heart?

A device which could harness energy from a beating heart can produce enough electricity to keep a pacemaker running, according to US researchers.

Repeated operations are currently needed to replace batteries in pacemakers.

Tests suggested the device could produce 10 times the amount of energy needed.

The British Heart Foundation said clinical trials were needed to show it would be safe for patients.

Piezoelectric materials generate an electric charge when their shape is changed. They are used in some microphones to convert vibrations into an electrical signal.

Researchers at the University of Michigan are trying to use the movement of the heart as a source of electricity.

In tests designed to simulate a range of heartbeats, enough electricity was generated to power a pacemaker. The designers now want to test the device on a real heart and build it into a commercial pacemaker.

Dr Amin Karami told a meeting of the American Heart Association that pacemaker batteries needed to be replaced approximately every seven years.

“Many of the patients are children who live with pacemakers for many years. You can imagine how many operations they are spared if this new technology is implemented.”

Prof Peter Weissberg, the medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Advancing technology over recent years has meant people with pacemakers need to change their battery less often. This device could be another step forward along this path.

“If researchers can refine the technology and it proves robust in clinical trials, it would further reduce the need for battery changes.”

BBC