(July 2, 2025) The World’s Smallest Pacemaker: Design and Applications
Minimally Invasive. Wireless. Bioresorbable. A breakthrough in temporary cardiac pacing and electrotherapy.
In this live webinar, Dr. Eric Rytkin (Efimov Lab, Northwestern University) shared the story behind the development of a millimetre-scale, fully bioresorbable pacemaker, a revolutionary device built for translational science and preclinical research.
Originally developed for temporary cardiac pacing, this device opens new frontiers in:
Nerve Regeneration
Wound Healing
Muscle Stimulation
Smart Bioelectronic Therapy
The session highlighted how the device performed across small and large animal models, integrated into existing procedures like TAVR, and dissolved safely after use—eliminating the need for surgical removal.
🧪 Key Takeaways:
✅ Explored the engineering behind the device and its wireless optical control
✅ Learned how it was used in Langendorff, in vivo, or ex vivo models
✅ Discovered its applications in cardiology, neuroscience, and musculoskeletal research
✅ Understood how it enabled multi-site pacing, closed-loop electrotherapy, and minimal implantation stress
Whether working in cardiology, biomedical engineering, or advanced medical device research, attendees left the session both inspired and informed.
About the Speaker
Dr. Eric Rytkin is a Research Associate in the Efimov Lab at Northwestern University in Chicago. He holds an MD with advanced training in interventional cardiology and radiology and earned a PhD focused on antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome.
Dr. Rytkin joined the Efimov Lab in 2021 as a postdoctoral scientist and has since focused his research on the development of minimally invasive medical devices for cardiac applications. His work bridges basic science and clinical practice, contributing to innovations in cardiovascular diagnostics and therapy.