Could your next implantable defibrillator use a light beam instead of electricity to restore a normal heart rhythm?  According to a recent study, this might just become reality some day.

A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation was able to use optogenetics — which involves embedding light-sensitive proteins in living tissue — to terminate ventricular arrhythmias in the hearts of mice.  Scientists at Johns Hopkins then created a computer simulation of the human heart to figure out if this technology could work on humans as well.

Check out this video for interviews with the researchers and further explanations of the study.  Though still highly experimental, this could be the technology of the future.

Stay tuned……