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Review
. 2016 Jun 30;9(1):1403.
doi: 10.4022/jafib.1403. eCollection 2016 Jun-Jul.

Interactive In-Vitro Training In Physics Of Radiofrequency Ablation For Physicians And Medical Engineering Students

T Haber  1 , G Kleister  1 , B Selman  1 , J Härtig  2 , J Melichercik  1 , B Ismer  1
Affiliations
Review

Interactive In-Vitro Training In Physics Of Radiofrequency Ablation For Physicians And Medical Engineering Students

T Haber et al. J Atr Fibrillation. .

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation requires a complex set of devices as well as profound electrophysiological experience and substantial knowledge of physical science basics. To establish RF ablation in-vitro teaching-system, six workstations were equipped with computer-controlled RF ablation generators. Universal connection boxes allow ablation-essays with catheters of different make and model. Special wetlabs were developed combining a basin containing isotonic saline solution with a thermostat and a pump to simulate blood flow. This hands-on teaching system can be used to demonstrate differences in lesion-forming dependent on tip-electrodes, sensor technology and ablation techniques, influence of blood flow and electrode-angle to the myocardium. It was also utilized to reproduce industrial in-vitro tests.

Keywords: Education; Electrophysiology; Radiofrequency Ablation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Demonstration of in-vitro RF ablation on pork in the wetlab containing isotonic saline solution, heated to body temperature and simulating the cooling influence of the blood flow
Figure 2
Figure 2. Demonstration of a dual-temperature-sensor in-vitro RF ablation. All relevant parameters are presented as diagrams: the courses of output power, the temperatures of both sensors and impedance. Furthermore, the applied energy as well as impedance before and after delivery of RF energy is displayed
Figure 3
Figure 3. Identical Cerablate RF ablation catheters (Osypka AG) with 8 mm tip electrode of different materials. Top: standard platinum-iridium tip electrode; Bottom: novel massive-gold tip electrode; Middle: steering handle, identical for both catheters
Figure 4
Figure 4. Comparison of lesions generated with 8 mm massive gold (left) and platinum-iridium electrode (right) using identical generator settings (T =65°C) and contact force
Figure 5
Figure 5. Plexiglass template, fixing a set of different diagnostic and therapeutic (ablation) catheters in the wetlab, in order to record artificial electrograms for test purposes
Figure 6
Figure 6. Excerpt from evaluation of the RF ablation hands-on teaching system
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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