US-based Medtronic Inc has revealed a prototype of a new leadless pacemaker that is a little bigger than a capsule. The new pacemaker is expected to hit the market, including India, by 2014/15.
The new pacemaker delivers electrical impulses to maintain a normal heart rhythm directly into the patient's right ventricle through a catheter. It then attaches itself to the surrounding tissue. The size is way smaller than the currently used pacemakers with leads, something that will make it easier for a patient with the implant to manage.
"This has a very tiny IC unit. It has a smaller battery yet with a life of 7-8 years and it uses the RF mechanism to transmit data to a monitoring unit," said Dr David Steinhaus, vice president (strategic affairs), Medtronic Inc.
Observing that there are only 70 trained physicians-surgeons to do pacemaker implants in India today, Shamit Dasgupta, director, (cardiac rhythm disease management, south Asia and ASEAN), said, "The big advantage of a leadless pacemaker is that any intervention cardiologist - a doctor who puts implants such as stents -- in India can implant it."
Miniaturisation of technology as in case of leadless pacemaker should allow practicing less invasive and simple procedures, the company believes. However, at the inauguration of company's Singapore manufacturing facility for pacemakers and leads last week, all that Jean-Luc Butel, executive vice president and group president, international, Medtronic, said was: "It is in the making. We cannot say exactly when it"ll hit the market or put a figure on the cost of this device."
{{/usCountry}}Miniaturisation of technology as in case of leadless pacemaker should allow practicing less invasive and simple procedures, the company believes. However, at the inauguration of company's Singapore manufacturing facility for pacemakers and leads last week, all that Jean-Luc Butel, executive vice president and group president, international, Medtronic, said was: "It is in the making. We cannot say exactly when it"ll hit the market or put a figure on the cost of this device."
{{/usCountry}}Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.
Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.