Hybrid RF/optical-coherence-tomography catheter for tissue monitoring during Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures

We demonstrate the viability of an advanced 9-french (~2.8mm diameter) hybrid RF/optical catheter for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. The catheter integrates an array of optical fibres, capable of performing non-invasive discrete optical coherence tomography (OCT), into an irrigated RF catheter, thus enabling simultaneous real-time tissue imaging and monitoring tissue ablation. Experimental results show that the use of OCT embedded in an RF ablation catheter would increase both safety and efficacy of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures.