Chinese researchers announced during a presentation at the virtual energy storage and conversion conference that they have developed a battery-free pacemaker, which operates using energy derived from the heart. The new device works by harvesting the kinetic energy produced by the heart when it pumps blood, according to the researchers.
They mentioned that the technology is preliminarily effective and that they are currently conducting research on its safety and efficacy in animal models before considering its use in humans.
"Yi Ziran," a mechanical engineering researcher at Shanghai University, confirmed that models that primarily rely on batteries for power complicate the development of numerous implantable biomedical devices. Therefore, the current device represents a revolution in the field of device implantation in humans.
Yi and his colleagues have been experimenting with battery-free and lead-free devices for years but struggled to find an approach that generates sufficient power until they invented this new device that draws energy from the heart.
While the new technology appears effective, questions remain about how to implant it and whether the power source will remain stable if the patient experiences heart problems. Yi pointed out that a battery-free pacemaker is achievable through energy harvesting technology, which provides a sustainable power supply, as reported by the "UPI" website.
