University of Wisconsin battery-free pacemaker development

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed an implantable, battery-free pacemaker designed to harvest energy from a patient’s own heartbeat. The technology utilizes nanogenerators to convert the mechanical motion of heart contractions and relaxations into electricity, aiming to eliminate the need for surgical reoperations required to replace depleted batteries in traditional devices.

Technical details indicate the device uses a triboelectric nanogenerator that could fit within the existing battery compartments of current leadless models without increasing device size. Laboratory tests showed a power density of 276.6 microwatts per cubic centimeter, which is approximately ten times higher than previous versions of similar technology.

In live animal testing involving pigs, the device successfully stimulated heart rhythms for one month without significant side effects. While the technology is registered with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, it is expected to take several years before it reaches clinical application and commercial availability.