New research helps to charge pacemaker batteries without surgery

Illustration of charging with sound waves for a pacemaker – Photo: Korea Institute of Science and Technology

Pacemakers are currently considered an effective device in supporting patients with arrhythmias when helping patients maintain a stable heart rhythm.

However, the device also has limitations when the battery life is limited and needs to be replaced through surgery. This battery replacement surgery can lead to health complications for the patient.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has researched to solve the above problem. In it, the battery is charged via wireless power generated from ultrasonic waves without surgery.

Specifically, the team developed a model based on the application of the triboelectric effect, which allows an object to become charged after there is friction with another object. They took advantage of the vibration of the sound wave’s frequency to create friction with a material called tribo, a charged material, to generate electricity.

The research has produced a power source sufficient to make 200 LEDs glow with an output of 8 Mili Watt at a distance of 6 cm. Research also shows high energy conversion efficiency and small amount of heat generation.

This power source is enough to help fully charge the battery of pacemakers as well as some other devices implanted under the human body, according to the scientific journal. Scitechdaily.

Dr Song, a member of the research team, said: “If the stability and efficiency of the device is further improved, in the future this technology can be applied to power devices. implanted in the human body without surgery”.