Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a miniaturized intracardiac photoacoustic (PA) imaging system based on a phased-array intracardiac echocardiography catheter. This PA imaging system enhances imaging feedback during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) by providing ablatio...

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Main Authors: Shang Gao, Yang Wang, Ryo Murakami, Hiroshi Ashikaga, Young-Ho Kim, Mohammad Mehrmohammadi, Henry R. Halperin, Haichong K. Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98970-5
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author Shang Gao
Yang Wang
Ryo Murakami
Hiroshi Ashikaga
Young-Ho Kim
Mohammad Mehrmohammadi
Henry R. Halperin
Haichong K. Zhang
author_facet Shang Gao
Yang Wang
Ryo Murakami
Hiroshi Ashikaga
Young-Ho Kim
Mohammad Mehrmohammadi
Henry R. Halperin
Haichong K. Zhang
author_sort Shang Gao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In this paper, we introduce a miniaturized intracardiac photoacoustic (PA) imaging system based on a phased-array intracardiac echocardiography catheter. This PA imaging system enhances imaging feedback during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) by providing ablation-induced lesion mapping. The PA imaging catheter with a 4-mm diameter was designed, featuring flexible tip for bending and navigation through the vessels. The catheter’s imaging resolution was evaluated using a phantom study with 0.2-mm-diameter wires. In an ex vivo study, the catheter was used to detect ablation-induced necrosis in porcine cardiac tissue, evaluating its capability to image through blood layer and differentiate necrotic tissue based on spectral characteristics. The catheter achieved an imaging resolution of 647.35 ± 61.60 µm in the phantom study. In the ex vivo study, it successfully identified necrotic lesions on porcine cardiac tissue, distinguishing these from surrounding tissue based on spectral analysis. The catheter system successfully imaged through an 8-mm blood layer, effectively highlighting necrotic regions. The proposed miniaturized PA imaging catheter demonstrated high-resolution imaging capability and effective detection of ablation-induced tissue boundary. Its flexibility and small diameter allow for maneuverability through cardiac vessels, enhancing its utility for intraoperative feedback during RF ablation procedures. This advancement offers a practical tool for improving the precision and effectiveness of RF ablation in A-fib treatment by integrating high-resolution imaging and maneuverability into a PA imaging catheter, potentially facilitating its adoption in clinical practice.
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spelling doaj-art-4483e77406ea4a9797caaea6b4aefe422025-08-20T03:08:40ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-98970-5Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablationShang Gao0Yang Wang1Ryo Murakami2Hiroshi Ashikaga3Young-Ho Kim4Mohammad Mehrmohammadi5Henry R. Halperin6Haichong K. Zhang7Department of Robotics Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Robotics Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteDepartment of Robotics Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteJohn A. Burns School of Medicine, University of HawaiiDigital Technology and Innovation, Siemens HealthineersDepartment of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical CenterDivision of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineDepartment of Robotics Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic InstituteAbstract In this paper, we introduce a miniaturized intracardiac photoacoustic (PA) imaging system based on a phased-array intracardiac echocardiography catheter. This PA imaging system enhances imaging feedback during radiofrequency (RF) ablation for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) by providing ablation-induced lesion mapping. The PA imaging catheter with a 4-mm diameter was designed, featuring flexible tip for bending and navigation through the vessels. The catheter’s imaging resolution was evaluated using a phantom study with 0.2-mm-diameter wires. In an ex vivo study, the catheter was used to detect ablation-induced necrosis in porcine cardiac tissue, evaluating its capability to image through blood layer and differentiate necrotic tissue based on spectral characteristics. The catheter achieved an imaging resolution of 647.35 ± 61.60 µm in the phantom study. In the ex vivo study, it successfully identified necrotic lesions on porcine cardiac tissue, distinguishing these from surrounding tissue based on spectral analysis. The catheter system successfully imaged through an 8-mm blood layer, effectively highlighting necrotic regions. The proposed miniaturized PA imaging catheter demonstrated high-resolution imaging capability and effective detection of ablation-induced tissue boundary. Its flexibility and small diameter allow for maneuverability through cardiac vessels, enhancing its utility for intraoperative feedback during RF ablation procedures. This advancement offers a practical tool for improving the precision and effectiveness of RF ablation in A-fib treatment by integrating high-resolution imaging and maneuverability into a PA imaging catheter, potentially facilitating its adoption in clinical practice.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98970-5
spellingShingle Shang Gao
Yang Wang
Ryo Murakami
Hiroshi Ashikaga
Young-Ho Kim
Mohammad Mehrmohammadi
Henry R. Halperin
Haichong K. Zhang
Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
Scientific Reports
title Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
title_full Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
title_fullStr Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
title_full_unstemmed Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
title_short Miniaturized side-firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
title_sort miniaturized side firing intracardiac photoacoustic imaging catheter for monitoring radiofrequency ablation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98970-5
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