Dissolving Battery Advances Heart Treatment

Published 06 November 2024

Author
Adam Speight
2 min read

University of Oxford researchers have developed a new microscale battery that combines lithium-ion technology with biodegradable properties. The device could reduce the need for invasive follow-up procedures in patients requiring temporary cardiac intervention, and could also have broader applications across post-surgery healing and temporary nerve stimulation in the future.

  • Hydrogel-Based Power Source: The research team constructed the battery using droplets of biocompatible hydrogel – a soft, jelly-like material that's compatible with human tissue. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries found in smartphones or laptops, this microscale version can safely operate inside the body before naturally dissolving. The battery is light-activated, rechargeable, and contains tiny magnetic particles that allow doctors to precisely control its movement within the body.

  • Patient-Focused Cardiac Care: Initial laboratory testing showed the battery can successfully regulate heart rhythms in mice through controlled electrical pulses. For patients with cardiac arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat) – a leading cause of death worldwide – this technology could potentially offer less invasive treatment options. The biodegradable nature of the device means patients would not need secondary surgery for removal, reducing both medical costs and recovery time. The battery can also transport charged molecules between cells, suggesting potential applications in precise drug delivery.

  • Next-Generation Treatment Options: At just a few cubic millimetres in size, the battery could transform temporary medical interventions across various fields. In the near term, researchers are focusing on cardiac applications and targeted drug delivery systems. But looking ahead, it could enable new types of dissolvable sensors for monitoring post-surgery healing, or temporary nerve stimulation devices. While clinical trials in humans are still needed, the innovation suggests a future where temporary medical devices naturally disappear once their work is complete.