Pacemakers, "Heart Sleeve" and the Economics Adam Imran

What is a Pacemaker? A pacemaker is a small device that's placed in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. Pacemakers use electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate. Pacemakers are essentially used to treat arrhythmias. Pacemakers employ the use of electrical impulses to treat tachycardia and bradycardia As of recent, Pacemakers have also been used to counter Cardiac Arrests.

The Medical Lingo (for Econ majors like myself) Arrhythmia: Arrhythmias are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. Tachycardia: Tachycardia is a heartbeat that is too fast. (Varies from person to person, but is said to be a 100 bpm or more in most adults) Bradycardia: Bradycardia is a heartbeat that is too slow. (Once again, varied from person to person, but is said to be under 60 bpm)

How The Pacemaker works Faulty electrical signaling in the heart causes arrhythmias. Pacemakers use low-energy electrical pulses to overcome this faulty electrical signaling. Pacemakers can: Speed up a slow heart rhythm. Help control an abnormal or fast heart rhythm. Make sure the ventricles contract normally if the atria are quivering instead of beating with a normal rhythm (a condition called atrial fibrillation). Coordinate electrical signaling between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. Coordinate electrical signaling between the ventricles. Pacemakers that do this are called cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices. CRT devices are used to treat heart failure.

The Economics (fun fun) Over the course of the years, pacemaker technology has bettered itself. This brings better and more potent pacemakers into the market. Due to availability of the better pacemakers, demand for pacemakers in general has increased, causing an increase in overall prices.

More Economics!! More than 100,000 pacemakers are installed each year in North America The North American segment of the market is more than 40%, while Europe makes up for less than 30% of the market. A higher market size means higher supply.

Some common limitations of Pacemakers Higher chances of infections at the surgical site (often even after the surgery). Limitations with respect to magnetic and electromagnetic fields, electric or gas-powered appliances. Have to be checked every three months or so for maintenance (wires, battery, etc.) Certain medical procedures become difficult to have, as they may negatively impact the pacemaker (MRIs, Electrocauterization).

The Solution? The “Heart Sleeve” Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Washington University in St. Louis Revolutionary new electronic membrane that could replace pacemakers. Fits over a heart to keep it beating regularly over an indefinite period of time. Stretchable electronics developed by John Rogers “spider-web-like network of sensors and electrodes” Unlike current pacemaker and implantable defibrillator technology, the thin, elastic membrane will be custom-made to fit “snugly” over the real heart. "When it senses such a catastrophic event as a heart attack or arrhythmia, it can also apply a high definition therapy,”

More about The “Heart Sleeve” Produced using digital imagery and 3-D printing devices. Projected to be cheaper to manufacture, easier to install, and consequently cheaper all together. Compared to the pacemakers, not only does it provide increased QALYS, but also provides an increased total surplus.

Thank You!

Resources http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/3dprinted-electronic-glove-could-help-keep-your- heart-beating-for-ever-9166004.html https://dolcera.com/wiki/index.php?title=Cardiac_Pacemakers http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pace/lifestyle.html http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/140225/ncomms4329/full/ncomms4329.html