FEM analysis of predicting electrode-myocardium contact from RF cardiac catheter ablation system impedance.
We used the finite-element method (FEM) to model and analyze the resistance between the catheter tip electrode and the dispersive electrode during radio-frequency cardiac catheter ablation for the prediction of myocardium-electrode contact. We included deformation of the myocardial surface to achieve accurate modeling. For perpendicular catheter contact, we measured the side view of myocardial deformation using X-ray projection imaging. We averaged the deformation contour from nine samples, and then incorporated the contour information into our FEM model. We measured the resistivity of the bovine myocardium using the four-electrode method, and then calculated the resistance change as the catheter penetrated into the myocardium. The FEM result of resistance versus catheter penetration depth matches well with our experimental data.
Cao
Hong
H
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
Speidel
Michael A
MA
Tsai
Jang-Zern
JZ
Van Lysel
Michael S
MS
Vorperian
Vicken R
VR
Webster
John G
JG
D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002417:Cattle; D004548:Elasticity; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004566:Electrodes; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011846:Radio Waves; D013314:Stress, Mechanical