title: Catheter for endoluminal bipolar electrocoagulation.
abstract: An interventional catheter was designed that can induce controlled endoluminal tissue lesions by means of bipolar radio-frequency (RF) electrocoagulation under fluoroscopic guidance. The technique was used to obtain safe and reproducible percutaneous occlusion of the porcine cystic duct by reactive endoluminal scar formation. The new triple-lumen, 7-F, polyethylene catheter contains two insulated active wires and accommodates a 0.038-inch steerable guide wire, which facilitates insertion and placement of the active catheter tip under fluoroscopic control. The coagulation technique is relatively simple and requires only a small, portable bipolar RF generator and ammeter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jameson
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fache
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Burhenne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000601:surgery; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D013552:Swine