title: Habib EndoHPB: a novel endobiliary radiofrequency ablation device. An experimental study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Habib EndoHPB is a bipolar radiofrequency (RF) catheter developed to be introduced across malignant strictures of the bile ducts, so that RF energy can locally ablate the tumor prior to stent placement. This experiment aims to assess the ability of the catheter to coagulate the wall of the common bile duct (CBD) in a porcine model, to establish power requirement and time parameters and correlate them to the depth of thermal injury, and to assess the ease of operation of the device.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CBD was catheterized using the device in 20 pigs. RF energy was applied to the CBD wall with various generator settings. The pigs were sacrificed 24 hr after the application and the CBD was excised for histological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The device was easy to handle. Statistically significant correlations between the power, the time of RF application, and the thermal injury depth were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Habib EndoHPB catheter can effectively deliver RF energy intraluminally in the porcine CBD. Clinical studies are warranted in order to define proper settings for safe and efficient use in malignant biliary obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece. zachadim@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zacharoulis
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lazoura
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sioka
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Potamianos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzovaras
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koukoulis
authors.forename: Nagy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Habib
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019723:Endoscopes; D005260:Female; D015607:Stents; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine