MATERIALS & SURFACE SCIENCE INSTITUTE

PRESENTATION BY
Professor Patrick D. Wolf
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Duke University

PRESENTATION TITLE
Cardiac RF Ablation Lesion Evaluation with ICE Based ARFI Imaging

ABSTRACT
Lesion evaluation during cardiac ablation could increase the first procedure success and decrease morbidity associated with over-ablation. The capability to evaluate RF ablation lesions in the heart using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging has been developed. Impulses of ultrasound energy delivered to the tissue from a catheter based transducer cause micron level displacements indicative of local tissue elasticity. These displacements are measured using B-mode imaging and displayed as a relative measure of elasticity. Tissue heating during ablation causes coagulation and a distinct change in tissue stiffness visible with ARFI imaging. Locating lesions in the heart with a low frame rate, intrinsic cardiac motion and muscle stiffening are three problems that had to be solved to implement this technology. Results of laboratory work and preliminary clinical data will be presented.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Professor Wolf received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.S. in Bioengineering from Pennsylvania State University. He received a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University in 1992. He joined the faculty at Duke in 1994 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2000. His research interests are in brain and cardiac electrophysiology in particular, instrumentation for the study of fibrillation, defibrillation, ablation and the brain-machine-interface. He is the author of over 100 research papers and holds 7 patents.

REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED AT 11h45

For further information, please contact:
Professor Tim McGloughlin, Tel. No:  (061) 202217 or Email: tim.mcgloughlin@ul.ie