Picture from Wikipedia of a traditional pacemaker
While wireless devices have allowed us to use more compact and portable devices it has also increased exposure to hackers. In an article that I recently read in science I found out that wireless pacemakers have been made. It is controversial as some people believe that it will make people with wireless pacemakers more susceptible to hackers. This is because if someone were able to hack into a wireless pacemaker device that regulates a person’s heart beat they could then potentially have the power to stop the person’s heart from beating.
However I do not think this is a major concern as I beleive most people do not have the ability to hack into a wireless pacemaker. It would only become a problem if the person with the pacemaker has a position of higher notice as it would make them vulnerable to hackers. Still I think the regular person would not need to worry about someone hacking into their wireless pacemaker.
Picture from Wikipedia of a heart monitor
What a pacemaker does is it manages how the heartbeats, it is used by people with irregular heart beats. People with irregular heartbeats require a pacemaker to send electrical impulses in order to correct their irregular heartbeat. This is important as people with a slow heartbeat could die in their sleep if their heart begins to beat even slower during sleep.
Youtube video by Cleveland Clinic showing the history of pacemakers and the benefits of the new wireless pacemaker.
Still a wireless pacemaker is be beneficial compared to the previous available technology. As previous pacemakers required a chest incision in order to be placed inside the heart, but wireless pacemakers do not require an incision. Instead a catheter (a thin tube) is used to place the smaller pacemaker in its correct position in the heart. Another benefit is that it requires fewer follow up placement surgeries as previous pacemakers had lead wires which would sometimes dislocate from its position and require more surgery.
Overall the wireless pacemaker has made it easier for doctors to place inside patients’ hearts and has removed the need for incision surgery. Most importantly it has become the smallest pacemaker available for patients with irregular heartbeats.
-Monica Ko
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