Multi-Sensors Characterization for Moveable Catheter Application

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become method of choice for percutaneous, minimally invasive, image-guided tumour ablation method [1]. The effectiveness of the RFA method can be improve by increasing the number of electrodes, additional temperature, and force sensors [2]. The multi-sensors multi-electrodes catheter sensor package used in this study consist of 3 movable spines. Each spine consists of RF A electrode, temperature, and force sensor. First possible challenge encounter by such device will be dynamic mechanical failure [3]. For this reason, catheter package used in this paper subjected to 32 cycles catheter movement durability test with result showing not only the sensors real-time reading not affected by the catheter movement but also remain functional after test. The following possible challenges encounter by this catheter package is RF interference between adjacent electrodes or sensors. RFA electrode, temperature and force sensor's responds in the present of RF A (1W) for both single spine and adjacent spines are studied. The result show that adjacent electrodes and sensors of the used catheter package are independent to noise generated by RFA. Lastly, ablation temperature is dependent on the circuit impedance difference between the ablation electrode and the grounding plate. The characterization of RF A performance in diluted phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution with different impedance level range from 350k Ω to 1.6m Ω is studied. Characteristic of electrode temperature at different RF A power range from 1.5W to 7W in different impedance solutions are recorded.