Symbiotic transcatheter pacemaker for lifelong energy regeneration and therapeutic function in porcine disease model

Lifelong pacing is one of the ultimate goals of cardiac pacemakers. However, meeting the critical energy condition for lifelong service is a tremendous challenge. Here we report a symbiotic transcatheter pacemaker that regenerates electric energy from heart motion via electromagnetic induction and surpasses the critical energy condition for lifelong service. The pacemaker can be closely integrated with the body owing to favourable biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, and its small size enables interventional delivery. To minimize energy loss and eliminate mechanical collision and friction, we propose a straightforward magnetic levitation energy cache structure. The energy regeneration module has a near-zero boot threshold, high kinetic energy conversion efficiency and intracardiac root mean square output power. We show the energy regeneration and therapeutic function of the symbiotic transcatheter pacemaker over a month-long autonomous operation in a porcine model of brady-arrhythmia. These advances may provide a potential path to extend the service life of pacemakers to the level of the natural heart.