Design of a microwave ablation system used to treat arythmogenous focus in cardiology

Abstract

Since the end of the 1980's, some cardiac rhythm disorders can be cured by a catheter RF ablation. This method is very efficient when the arythmogenous focus is small and situated near to the endocardium surface. However, when this focus is large and deep in the myocardium, the efficiency of RF ablation decreases in an important way. Microwave ablation could be used in these cases. This paper presents a microwave system that has been designed to treat arythmogenous focus by catheter ablation. Important technical characteristics have been implemented in this system to improve its versatility and to ensure the security of the patient.