Medtronic patents world’s smallest pacemaker

Medtronic has announced it has received the French CE mark of approval for patenting its newly-developed Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS), which is now officially the world's smallest pacemaker.

TPS is not powered by wires, but instead is only around the size of a large vitamin tablet, and is attached to the heart via small tines that deliver electrical impulses to the organ, which travel through an electrode attached to the end of the micro medical device.

Philippe Ritter, a cardiologist at the Hopital Cardiologique de Haut Leveque and the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire in Bordeaux, explained: "Unlike traditional pacemakers, the Micra TPS does not require leads or a surgical 'pocket' under the skin, so potential sources of complications are eliminated – as are any visible signs of the device."

He added that although the pacemaker is small, it still harnesses some of the most advanced technology that is currently available.