Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of cardiovascular medicine with the development of a graphene-based "tattoo" that could potentially treat irregular heartbeats. In a recent article published in Advanced Materials, researchers revealed that this electronic device, resembling a futuristic pacemaker, successfully delivered electrical signals to the heart, restoring its normal rhythm in experiments conducted on rats.
The device, currently in its proof-of-concept stage, holds immense promise for human applications and could be ready for testing within the next five years, according to estimates by Igor Efimov, a cardiovascular engineer at Northwestern University. Efimov and his team have long been devoted to creating implantable devices that seamlessly integrate with the body but have faced the challenge of merging rigid electronics with soft, pulsating tissues.
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The prevailing method for pacemakers involves threading electrodes on lengthy wires through a vein inside the heart. The continuous flexing of these wires because of the heart's rhythmic contractions eventually leads to device failure. To address this issue, the researchers turned to an exciting solution inspired by a 2021 study on graphene devices applied as temporary tattoos.
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Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb pattern, possesses a unique set of properties ideal for biomedical applications. It is incredibly flexible, biocompatible, transparent, conductive and mechanically robust, making it an excellent candidate for this novel use. Dmitry Kireev, a biomedical engineer at the University of Texas at Austin, pioneered the graphene tattoo concept.
Keen to explore the potential of graphene tattoos for cardiac tissue, Efimov collaborated with Kireev. Their joint efforts resulted in successful tests conducted on mouse hearts and live rats. The heart tattoo, consisting of an atomically thin layer of graphene sandwiched between stretchy silicone and ultrathin polymer sheets, was able to rectify irregular heartbeats by transmitting electrical pulses to the organ.
The graphene in the tattoo was connected to wires through gold tape, enabling the flow of electricity from an external power source. While the current prototype requires wired connections, the researchers are already envisioning wireless versions for the future. These advanced tattoos could potentially integrate a tiny antenna to capture electrical signals from an external device placed on the chest, eliminating the need for cumbersome components.
Efimov believes the technology is rapidly advancing and is eager to push its development further. He envisions a future where graphene electrodes, as small as grains of rice, can be injected directly into the heart muscle to perform pacemaker functions. Although this may sound like science fiction, the reality is fast approaching. Now is the opportune time to propel this groundbreaking innovation forward and revolutionize the field of cardiovascular medicine.
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