Final answer:
To minimize motion artifact in the heart, an appropriate time constant is used in pacemakers, which adapt the heart rate in response to body motion and breathing during physical activities. Pacemakers use an RC timing circuit to control the timing between voltage signals sent to the heart muscle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Motion artifact in the heart can be minimized by using an appropriate time constant in the design of pacemakers. Pacemakers are medical devices that provide electrical stimulation to the heart muscle to ensure that it continues to contract and pump blood effectively. They are equipped with sensors that detect body motion and breathing. These sensors help pacemakers to adjust the heart rate during physical activities, thereby meeting the body's increased needs for blood and oxygen. An RC timing circuit within pacemakers can be utilized to control the timing between voltage signals, and the time constant is crucial in this process, as it determines how quickly the pacemaker responds to changes in motion or breathing.
Additionally, cardiologists can program these pacemakers to react to the heart's needs temporarily upon demand or on a continuous basis. Some advanced pacemakers also include built-in defibrillators to ensure that patients with chronic arrhythmias or other heart rhythm problems can maintain a stable heart rate and rhythm.