World’s Smallest Pacemaker

Medtronic has announced that it has developed and begun implanting in a clinical trial the world’s smallest cardiac pacemaker. The Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) is delivered to the inside of the heart via the femoral vein where it grabs onto endocardial tissue and provides pacing signals through its electrode tip.

Because implantation of the Micra, as well as the recently CE Marked Nanostim from St. Jude Medical, doesn’t require traditional surgery nor leads that led to problems in the past, the hope is that the new generation of pacemakers will provide a much increased level of safety. Moreover, not having to have a rigid device implanted right below the skin will certainly improve patient comfort and satisfaction.

Source: medgadget.comAdded: 13 March 2014