Researchers use light to re-charge pacemakers for first time
When the battery in your implanted medical devices runs out you run to the hospital for emergency surgery to change it, no more.
Key takeaways
- According to a new study, though, it may someday be possible to recharge those batteries by shining nothng more than a light through the patient's skin.
- When the patch is applied to the skin and its LEDs are switched on, their light shines down through the patient's biological tissue, reaching the device.
- A prototype version of the system has already been tested on mice, successfully recharging implants within the animals' bodies under a variety of settings and environmental conditions.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'Researchers use light to re-charge pacemakers for first time', 311 Institute, 1 October. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/researchers-use-light-to-re-charge-pacemakers-for-first-time/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
We’ve heard about using wireless charging to charge our phones, and wireless energy transmission systems that beam energy down from space and across mountain ranges, but in spite of all these energy developments today one of the problems with powered medical implants such as pacemakers is the fact that when their batteries run out of juice, they have to be surgically replaced, and that’s a pain in the rear to say it mildly. According to a new study, though, it may someday be possible to recharge those batteries by shining nothng more than a light through the patient's skin.
Led by Prof. Jongho Lee, a team of scientists at South Korea's Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed what's known as an "Active Photonic Power Transfer" system that consists of a flexible patch containing an array of micro-LEDs, along with a photovoltaic device that's attached to an implant.
When the patch is applied to the skin and its LEDs are switched on, their light shines down through the patient's biological tissue, reaching the device. It responds by generating an electrical current, which is used to recharge the implant's battery, keep in mind that pacemakers are typically located just beneath the skin.
A prototype version of the system has already been tested on mice, successfully recharging implants within the animals' bodies under a variety of settings and environmental conditions.
Once developed further, it is believed that the technology may not only eliminate the need to surgically remove existing implants for battery-changes, but that it could also allow for the creation of new types of implants that have higher power requirements.
"Currently, a lack of a reliable source of power limits the functionality and performance of implanted medical devices," says Lee. "If we can secure enough electrical power in our body, new types of medical implants with diverse functions and high performance can be developed."
A paper on the GIST research was recently published in the journal PNAS.
What this means for your organisation
Fewer replacement surgeries.
Pacemaker batteries run out and must be replaced through surgery. Recharging through the skin would avoid that. Patients and health systems would gain from fewer operations.
Implants could do more.
Freed from battery limits, implants could run more features. Device makers can rethink what implants do. Plan product roadmaps around wireless power.
Early but promising.
The system has only been tested in mice. Human trials will need to prove safety and reliability. Watch for clinical studies before changing plans.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- How would wireless recharging change our implant designs?
- How many replacement surgeries could our services avoid?
- Which partners are leading wireless power for medical devices?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
When the battery in your implanted medical devices runs out you run to the hospital for emergency surgery to change it, no more.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- PNAS pnas.org
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology gist.ac.kr
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 1 October 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). Researchers use light to re-charge pacemakers for first time. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/researchers-use-light-to-re-charge-pacemakers-for-first-time/
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