WHAT IS KNOWN?

1. Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) introduce risk of infections as well as limitations on patient quality of life.
2. There is a need for minimally invasive devices that provide autonomous electrotherapy over a time frame that matches post-operative needs.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

1. We propose a transient, closed-loop system for temporary cardiac pacing that incorporates a wireless network of components including:
   • Temporary, bioresorbable, stretchable epicardial pacemaker,
   • Bioresorbable steroid-eluting interface that minimizes local inflammation and fibrosis
   • Subcutaneous, bioresorbable power harvesting unit
   • Set of soft, skin-interfaced sensors that capture ECG, HR etc., to track patient physiology.
   • Wireless RF module that transfers power to the harvesting unit
   • Soft skin-interfaced haptic actuator that communicates via mechanical vibrations
   • Handheld device with software module for real time data visualization and automated adaptive control
2. The bioresorbable module for cardiac pacing undergoes complete dissolution by natural biological processes after a defined operating time frame. Moreover, the wireless battery recharge through the skin eliminates the need for transcutaneous wires.

LINK TO THE ARTICLE

Choi YS, Jeong H, Yin RT, Avila R, Pfenniger A, Yoo J, Lee JY, Tzavelis A, Lee YJ, Chen SW, Knight HS, Kim S, Ahn HY, Wickerson G, Vázquez-Guardado A, Higbee-Dempsey E, Russo BA, Napolitano MA, Holleran TJ, Razzak LA, Miniovich AN, Lee G, Geist B, Kim B, Han S, Brennan JA, Aras K, Kwak SS, Kim J, Waters EA, Yang X, Burrell A, San Chun K, Liu C, Wu C, Rwei AY, Spann AN, Banks A, Johnson D, Zhang ZJ, Haney CR, Jin SH, Sahakian AV, Huang Y, Trachiotis GD, Knight BP, Arora RK, Efimov IR, Rogers JA. A transient, closed-loop network of wireless, body-integrated devices for autonomous electrotherapy. Science. 2022 May 27;376(6596):1006-1012. doi: 10.1126/science.abm1703. Epub 2022 May 26. PMID: 35617386.

WHAT IS KNOWN?

1. Organ conformal bioelectronics platform have enabled high-definition ventricular arrhythmia sensing, coupled with electrotherapy.
2. However, current conformal electronics platforms do not have the ability to perform real time computing to detect arrhythmia rotors and and subsequently deliver appropriate therapy.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS?

1. We propose the use of distributed computing algorithm based on cellular neural networks to provide high classification sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision in detecting arrhythmia rotors and wavefronts.
2. The compact and efficient computing solution is readily mappable to a memristor based hardware circuitry and could enable a closed-loop solution for smart arrhythmia detection and real-time therapy.

LINK TO THE ARTICLE

Yang Z, Zhang L, Aras K, Efimov IR, Adam GC. Hardware-Mappable Cellular Neural Networks for Distributed Wavefront Detection in Next-Generation Cardiac Implants. Adv. Intell. Syst., 2022.

WHAT IS KNOWN?

1. Obesity is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation.
2. The molecular mechanisms underlying how atrial epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) can induce arrhythmias is not well understood.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

1. Atrial EAT induces electrophysiological remodeling of myocardium by decreasing electrical coupling, reducing IK1 and depolarizing the maximum diastolic potential.
2. This results in slowed conduction and increased conduction heterogeneity, depolarized resting potential, which in turn, can facilitate reentrant arrhythmias.

LINK TO THE ARTICLE

Ernault AC, Verkerk AO, Bayer JD, Aras K, Agudo PM, Mohan RA, Veldkamp M, Kawasaki M, van Amersfoorth SCM, Driessen AHG, Efimov IR, de Groot J, Coronel R. The Secretome of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Facilitates Reentrant Arrhythmias by Myocardial Remodeling. Heart Rhythm, 2022.