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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Generation of Murine Cardiac Pacemaker Cell Aggregates Based on ES-Cell-Programming in Combination with Myh6-Promoter-Selection

Generation of Murine Cardiac Pacemaker Cell Aggregates Based on ES-Cell-Programming in Combination with Myh6-Promoter-Selection

Published on: February 17, 2015

The first batteryless, solar-powered cardiac pacemaker.

Andreas Haeberlin¹, Adrian Zurbuchen², Sébastien Walpen²

¹Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

|March 7, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Batteryless pacemakers (PMs) powered by solar energy offer a promising alternative to traditional devices. These innovative PMs can harvest light energy transcutaneously, even indoors, potentially eliminating the need for battery replacements.

Keywords:

Batteryless pacemaker Batteryless pacing Energy harvesting Pacemaker Pacemaker technology Solar pacemaker Sunlight Sunlight-powered pacemaker

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Last Updated: Apr 16, 2026

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Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Medical Devices
Energy Harvesting

Background:

Contemporary pacemakers (PMs) rely on primary batteries with limited capacity, necessitating frequent replacements that carry risks.
Batteryless PMs utilizing internal energy harvesting present a potential solution to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and evaluate a batteryless pacemaker powered by a solar module that converts transcutaneous light into electrical energy.

Main Methods:

Solar modules were tested ex vivo under pig skin flaps exposed to various light conditions (direct sunlight, shade, indoors).
Two solar-powered PM prototypes with energy buffers were implanted in vivo in a pig, with one tested in prolonged darkness.

Main Results:

Ex vivo solar module output varied significantly with light conditions, with 1963 μW/cm² under direct sunlight and 4 μW/cm² indoors.
The implanted PM demonstrated continuous pacing for 1.5 months in darkness, even after short irradiation periods, showcasing its energy efficiency.

Conclusions:

Subcutaneous solar modules can effectively harvest energy transcutaneously, even indoors, due to infrared light penetration.
Batteryless pacemakers with energy buffers show potential for continuous operation, reducing the need for invasive battery replacements.