Air Date: Friday, December 8, 2000
Heart Chip
A tiny microchip could help fight heart disease. Physicians at Ohio State University are developing an implantable chip that will monitor the heart's condition. The chip will release medication when the heart needs it. It will also be equipped with stem cells. The cells will be released into the body if a heart attack occurs, preventing severe heart damage.
Dr. Robert Michler, Ohio State University
"What we would like to do is treat the disease as its happening and be able to impact on the rate of progression of the disease and even one day halt the disease altogether and possibly reverse it."
Right now, the heart chips are made of glass. But researchers say they can also be made of biodegradable materials that will dissolve in the body over time.
