A pacemaker is a medical device that helps regulate an irregular heartbeat by delivering electrical pulses to the heart. The very first fully implantable pacemaker was placed in a patient way back in 1958. Since then, pacemakers have come a long way—getting smaller, smarter, and more efficient with each new development.

Now, scientists have taken a giant leap forward by creating the world’s smallest pacemaker—so tiny, it’s actually smaller than a grain of rice! This temporary pacemaker is designed to be injected into the body and controlled using light signals. Even more remarkable, it dissolves completely after its job is done.

While this cutting-edge technology is still several years away from being tested in humans, experts are already calling it a potential game-changer for the medical field. Millions of people around the world rely on permanent pacemakers today, but the research team behind this innovation was driven by a bold vision: to develop a safer, less invasive alternative for patients who need short-term heart support.