Novel catheter enabling simultaneous radiofrequency ablation and optical coherence reflectometry

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Devices
• Optical Coherence Tomography

Background:

• Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a common medical procedure.
• Precise control of lesion depth is crucial for effective RF ablation and minimizing complications.
• Current methods lack real-time feedback on lesion depth during the procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel RF ablation catheter with integrated optics for real-time lesion depth monitoring.
• To assess the feasibility of using polarization-sensitive optical coherence reflectometry for in-situ ablation guidance.
• To enhance the safety and efficacy of RF ablation treatments through improved procedural control.

Main Methods:

• Development of a novel RF ablation catheter incorporating custom-designed optics.
• Integration of polarization-sensitive optical coherence reflectometry for tissue imaging.
• In-vitro verification using a swine myocardium model to assess optical performance and thermal stability.
• Testing durability over multiple ablation procedures (>25) to evaluate optical assembly integrity.

Main Results:

• The novel catheter demonstrated successful real-time monitoring of RF ablation procedures.
• Optical performance and thermal stability were maintained throughout testing, with no damage to the optical assembly.
• The integrated optics provided effective tissue illumination for lesion depth assessment.
• The system proved robust and reliable in an in-vitro setting.

Conclusions:

• The developed RF ablation catheter with integrated optics enables real-time lesion depth assessment during procedures.
• This technology has the potential to significantly improve RF ablation outcomes by allowing precise depth control.
• The findings suggest a reduction in potential complications associated with RF ablation treatments.