Miniaturized long-life power for leadless pacemakers
Official title: Leadless Pacemaker Betavoltaic Power Source
Funded at City Labs, INC. · NIH-11193963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
They are developing a tiny, long-lasting battery to power leadless pacemakers so patients could have much smaller devices that may last about 20 years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | City Labs, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $221,415 |
| NIH project number | 5SB1HL174312-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11193963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be people who need pacing support and could benefit from a smaller, long-lasting leadless device, such as those needing atrial pacing or younger patients who face many years of device dependence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients requiring conventional transvenous pacemakers, those with anatomy or conditions incompatible with leadless devices, or anyone seeking an already-approved clinical option would not directly benefit from this preclinical development.
What this research studies
This project will build a betavoltaic (radioisotope-based) power source small enough to fit inside a leadless pacemaker and provide steady power for around 20 years. Engineers will design and manufacture a biocompatible polyimide package that fits inside the pacemaker’s titanium housing to provide double encapsulation. Shrinking the battery from about 0.6 cc to ~0.1 cc could allow atrial placement, support multiple devices in a chamber, and simplify delivery catheters. The team aims to develop reliable device configurations and manufacturing approaches to enable later regulatory approval and market transition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable much smaller leadless pacemakers with multi-decade battery life, lowering the need for replacement procedures and expanding options for younger patients.
How similar studies have gone: Betavoltaic power for implants has been explored in engineering research but remains largely experimental with little clinical use in pacemakers so far.
Where this research is happening
-
City Labs, INC.
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cabauy, Peter — City Labs, INC.
- Study coordinator: Cabauy, Peter
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.