Millimetre-scale bioresorbable optoelectronic systems for electrotherapy

Yamin Zhang (), Eric Rytkin, Liangsong Zeng, Jong Uk Kim, Lichao Tang, Haohui Zhang, Aleksei Mikhailov, Kaiyu Zhao, Yue Wang, Li Ding, Xinyue Lu, Anastasia Lantsova, Elena Aprea, Gengming Jiang, Shupeng Li, Seung Gi Seo, Tong Wang, Jin Wang, Jiayang Liu, Jianyu Gu, Fei Liu, Keith Bailey, Yat Fung Larry Li, Amy Burrell, Anna Pfenniger, Andrey Ardashev, Tianyu Yang, Naijia Liu, Zengyao Lv, Nathan S. Purwanto, Yue Ying, Yinsheng Lu, Claire Hoepfner, Altynai Melisova, Jiarui Gong, Jinheon Jeong, Junhwan Choi, Alex Hou, Rachel Nolander, Wubin Bai, Sung Hun Jin, Zhenqiang Ma, John M. Torkelson, Yonggang Huang (), Wei Ouyang (), Rishi K. Arora (), Igor R. Efimov () and John A. Rogers ()
Additional contact information
Yamin Zhang: Northwestern University
Eric Rytkin: Northwestern University
Liangsong Zeng: Northwestern University
Jong Uk Kim: Northwestern University
Lichao Tang: National University of Singapore
Haohui Zhang: Northwestern University
Aleksei Mikhailov: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Kaiyu Zhao: Northwestern University
Yue Wang: Northwestern University
Li Ding: Northwestern University
Xinyue Lu: Northwestern University
Anastasia Lantsova: Northwestern University
Elena Aprea: Northwestern University
Gengming Jiang: Northwestern University
Shupeng Li: Northwestern University
Seung Gi Seo: Northwestern University
Tong Wang: Northwestern University
Jin Wang: Northwestern University
Jiayang Liu: Northwestern University
Jianyu Gu: Northwestern University
Fei Liu: Northwestern University
Keith Bailey: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc
Yat Fung Larry Li: Northwestern University
Amy Burrell: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Anna Pfenniger: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Andrey Ardashev: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Tianyu Yang: Northwestern University
Naijia Liu: Northwestern University
Zengyao Lv: Northwestern University
Nathan S. Purwanto: Northwestern University
Yue Ying: Northwestern University
Yinsheng Lu: Northwestern University
Claire Hoepfner: Northwestern University
Altynai Melisova: Northwestern University
Jiarui Gong: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jinheon Jeong: Incheon National University
Junhwan Choi: Dankook University
Alex Hou: Northwestern University
Rachel Nolander: Northwestern University
Wubin Bai: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sung Hun Jin: Incheon National University
Zhenqiang Ma: University of Wisconsin-Madison
John M. Torkelson: Northwestern University
Yonggang Huang: Northwestern University
Wei Ouyang: Northwestern University
Rishi K. Arora: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Igor R. Efimov: Northwestern University
John A. Rogers: Northwestern University

Nature, 2025, vol. 640, issue 8057, 77-86

Abstract: Abstract Temporary pacemakers are essential for the care of patients with short-lived bradycardia in post-operative and other settings1–4. Conventional devices require invasive open-heart surgery or less invasive endovascular surgery, both of which are challenging for paediatric and adult patients5–8. Other complications9–11 include risks of infections, lacerations and perforations of the myocardium, and of displacements of external power supplies and control systems. Here we introduce a millimetre-scale bioresorbable optoelectronic system with an onboard power supply and a wireless, optical control mechanism with generalized capabilities in electrotherapy and specific application opportunities in temporary cardiac pacing. The extremely small sizes of these devices enable minimally invasive implantation, including percutaneous injection and endovascular delivery. Experimental studies demonstrate effective pacing in mouse, rat, porcine, canine and human cardiac models at both single-site and multi-site locations. Pairing with a skin-interfaced wireless device allows autonomous, closed-loop operation upon detection of arrhythmias. Further work illustrates opportunities in combining these miniaturized devices with other medical implants, with an example of arrays of pacemakers for individual or collective use on the frames of transcatheter aortic valve replacement systems, to provide unique solutions that address risks for atrioventricular block following surgeries. This base technology can be readily adapted for a broad range of additional applications in electrotherapy, such as nerve and bone regeneration, wound therapy and pain management.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08726-4

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