A wearable non-invasive sonogenetic pacemaker

Key Points:

• A novel sonogenetics-based pacemaker system has been developed, utilizing focused ultrasound to activate mechanosensitive ion channels (MscL-G22S) in cardiomyocytes, enabling non-invasive cardiac pacing through ultrasound stimulation rather than traditional surgical implantation.
• Ultrasound demonstrates significantly lower attenuation (-15 dB at 30 mm depth) compared to light (> -55 dB), making it more effective for deep tissue stimulation such as the heart, which supports the feasibility of ultrasound-based cardiac pacing.
• The NUP system integrates advanced components including a 64-channel transmitter, 32-channel receiver, FPGA for digital beamforming, Wi-Fi, and USB connectivity, enabling combined imaging and stimulation with controlled power consumption for efficient operation.
• Experimental studies in rodents showed targeted expression of MscL-G22S primarily in cardiac tissues, with negligible expression in non-cardiac organs, and demonstrated that ultrasound stimulation at specific acoustic pressures can modulate heart rate and ECG waveform components significantly.
• Statistical analyses confirmed that ultrasound-induced pacing alters myocardial repolarization phases and increases heart rate in rats, indicating effective and controllable modulation of cardiac function through sonogenetic stimulation.