While pacemakers keep thousands of people ticking every day, their leads and delivery methods limit their positioning and the heart is typically paced on the right side. In reality, the left ventricle is a better target for delivery of electric pulses in helping to pace the heart and many of those with heart failure would benefit from a more targeted approach. EBR Systems, a company out of Sunnyvale, California, just received European regulatory approval to introduce its WiSE technology that works in conjunction with an existing pacemaker to wirelessly pace the left ventricle from the inside.
The system consists of a pulse generator that’s positioned outside, but next to the heart. A small receiver-electrode is attached to the endocardium of the left ventricle. When the generator detects an electric pulse originating from the pacemaker’s leads inside the right ventricle, it immediately matches it with an ultrasound pulse which in turn induces the implanted electrode to generate an impulse of electrical current.
The system allows surgeons to decide where to place the electrode anywhere within the heart and to then take advantage of the optimal placement to generate considerably more targeted therapy.
Link: WiSE Technology…
Announcement: EBR Systems Receives European CE Mark Approval…