bio-gel leadless pacemaker

conventional pacemakers carry lead-related complications such as infections and lead perforations, and are difficult to remove safely. leadless pacemakers eliminate the leads, but they rely on a screw-lock or tine fixation mechanism that can still damage heart tissue and complicate removal. this project drew on bio-cellulose nanofibers and hydrogels to improve adhesion, electrical conductivity, and controlled degradation within the body, replacing mechanical fixation with a controllable bio-gel interface.

the device attaches through a hybrid material combining carbon nanofibers, hyaluronic acid, and a hydrogel matrix. the carbon nanofibers enhance electrical conductivity, which is crucial for efficient cardiac pacing, while the hyaluronic acid forms a reversible adhesive layer that can be safely degraded with an enzyme such as hyaluronidase, enabling controlled, enzyme-triggered detachment rather than an abrupt mechanical release. a sensor-based system continuously monitors adhesion and alerts healthcare providers if the device begins to detach, so a loosening or migrating implant can be caught before it becomes a complication.

together, these features addressed the common failure modes of both traditional and current leadless pacemakers, pairing biocompatibility with adhesion that could be controlled on demand — safer, less traumatic removal and fewer complications, with real-time adhesion monitoring giving clinicians visibility into attachment that neither screw-lock nor tine fixation offers.