A collaborative effort between researchers from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL,USA; www.northwestern.edu) and George Washington University (Washington,DC,USA;www.gwu.edu) has resulted in the creation of a groundbreaking implantable device to monitor and treat heart disease and dysfunction immediately after a severe cardiac incident.

Remarkably, once its purpose is served, the device harmlessly decomposes within the body, thereby eliminating the need for its surgical removal.

By avoiding complications due to surgical extraction and reducing infection risks, the device’s bioresorbable feature could improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare expenses.