Ultrasound patch could transform treatment of heart rhythm disorders

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a novel cardiac stimulation system that employs ultrasound waves to regulate heartbeats without the need for surgical implantation. According to MIT, the technology has demonstrated promising results in animal studies involving cardiac arrhythmias.

The device was successfully tested on animal models with irregular heart rhythms, where it effectively restored and maintained normal cardiac activity through a non-invasive approach.

Professor Xuanhe Zhao of MIT said the technology could eventually be integrated into wearable adhesive patches capable of simultaneously monitoring and stimulating organs over extended periods. Such devices, he noted, could operate without disrupting normal bodily functions or requiring surgical procedures.

“ We are confident that, in the future, similar devices could be developed as wearable patches that can both monitor and stimulate organs over long periods without invasive interventions,” Zhao said.

The researchers highlighted that millions of people worldwide rely on pacemakers to treat arrhythmias that do not respond to medication. Conventional pacemakers require implanted electronic systems and electrodes connected directly to the heart, procedures that can involve surgical risks and patient discomfort.

The newly developed system aims to overcome these limitations by introducing a wireless method of cardiac stimulation based on ultrasound technology. The approach works by activating mechanosensitive ion channels within heart cells, enabling precise control of cardiac contractions through the regulation of calcium ion flow.

According to the research team, the system consists of a flexible medical patch equipped with an integrated ultrasound source, along with electronic components capable of continuously monitoring heart activity and delivering corrective stimulation when needed.

Experimental results demonstrated a high level of effectiveness in controlling cardiac rhythm abnormalities in animal models. The findings suggest that the technology could lead to the development of next-generation wearable, non-invasive devices for treating arrhythmias and potentially monitoring and stimulating other organs in the body.