Rechargeable?

I Like the Way You Think

by Grateful Heart - 2017-12-30 15:15:51

Can somebody work on that please.  I have about 1 year to go before I need a new device.  It would be my first change out and I would much rather just recharge it over night.  :)

Grateful Heart

Yes but ……….

by IAN MC - 2017-12-30 15:22:12

It is difficult not to be cynical and think that the manufacturers are much happier selling another pacemaker every 5 to 10 years. But , on the other hand, I'm not sure that I'd want to be stuck with the same old model for all of my life. 

I am certain that , in the future there will be massive advances in PM / ICD design and features. Who knows,  my next one may have GPS so that when I am completely senile I will still be able to find the hospital !

Ian

But.....

by Grateful Heart - 2017-12-30 15:32:53

While recharging, perhaps they could also install updates so our PM/ ICD's wouldn't be an antique.

Grateful Heart

One reason why not

by Theknotguy - 2017-12-30 15:34:14

Technology is moving so fast that your current pacemaker is obsolete almost as soon as it is implanted.  Mine is four years old and it's obsolete.  Still does the job but the the newer models offer some better stuff.  One reason for replacement. 

They are working on getting rechargable batteries.  Newest technology is to provide a biofilm that will recharge the battery from activity done by your body.  Don't know how soon that will be available - if ever. So the current thinking is to go with something very reliable.  I don't mind being on the leading  edge of technology but I don't want to be on the bleeding edge, especially if a battery system conks out and I have to rely on my heart's natural pacemaker.  That didn't work very well  and I had to get the pacemaker.  

Latest pacemaker implant in the area is for one that fits inside the heart.  When the battery runs out they just shove in a new one.  Don't even bother to take the old one out.  Not sure if I like the idea but my heart problems wouldn't let me get one of the new types anyway.  

Who knows?  With IOT (Internet Of Things) when you purchase your next vehicle, it may link up with your pacemaker and not let you drive if there's a problem.  Or, if you do have a problem, pull up a map with the directions to the closest hospital that can take care of you.

Mine is 9 years old

by Grateful Heart - 2017-12-30 15:43:20

I guess mine wouldn't be charged overnight.  I would be hooked up to the charger for weeks if not months before it fully updated.....if it would be anything like my cellphone.

I joke that my AICD may be defective since I've had it so long.

Hmmm

Grateful Heart

Another reason why not

by IAN MC - 2017-12-30 15:44:51

I have a battery charger and it gets quite hot . Although we are having quite a cold December here in the UK I don't fancy being heated up from the inside !

Ian

Rechargeable

by Artist - 2017-12-30 23:50:46

Even rechargeable batteries wear out and need replacement.  I have several phones in my house that use rechargeable batteries and they gradually lose their ability to hold a charge and the batteries need to be replaced.  Also this assumes that someone always has access to an electrical source for recharging.  What if someone is out camping or there is a power outage.  Look at all of the houses that still have no access to power after being hit by hurricanes this year.  What if your charger breaks or is accidentally left behind when you are  traveling away from home?  I'll stick with the proven technology of a having my battery safely tucked away in my PM and take comfort in knowing that it usually last from 7 to ten years and that the replacement is simple.  I would not want the hassle of needing frequent recharging sessions.  

Rechargeable?

by DampDog - 2017-12-31 12:32:18

I was just sitting mulling it over, as you do. While the innovations that come with these devices are welcomed by all of us, I suspect the major changes in hardware only actually come every few years or so. While we may see new devices appear on the market every few months, some of the changes will only be with algorithms. The devices themselves remain mostly unchanged.

Certainly most recently the biggest changes in hardware have been associated with supplying devices that are tollerant of MRI scans.

While I am sure that recharging a device insitu may possibly produce enough heat to damage the surrounding tissues, I'm sure with a little clever software that could be managed.

Specifically for older patients who don't really want to have yet another device swap, who's current device is doing the job adequately, it would be advantagious to leave their current device in place and recharge it. It probably would not be the best choice for younger patients who may well benefit from innovations in technology.

I'm sure I read somewhere that your old pacemaker doesn't just get thrown away anyway, they can be recycled and go off to the 3rd world to give someone else a chance of a better life.

It's all clever stuff.

Anyway as the end of 2017 approaches. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2018..

charging

by Tracey_E - 2017-12-31 18:30:53

They are working on rechargeable. It wouldn't charge like your phone but like a self winding rolex, our movements would recharge it. I have mixed feelings. I'm on #5 so fewer surgeries would be nice, however 2 of those 4 replacements gave me significant upgrades in function. 

If ours is removed because the battery is low, it has no  use. If we die and there is decent   battery life left, they can use it in dogs. It's against the law to use in another person. If one  is new but past the FDA's expiration date, they can use it in third world countries. This is what Heartbeat INternational  does, works with manufacturers in the US to get their unused but still good devices and uses them in their clinics around the world. They do great work, the owner of this site is on their board (or was last time I discussed it with him). Check them out, there are some cool stories on their website.