Microwave ablation for cure of atrial fibrillation

Funding: 1998: $104,326
1999: $104,326
2000: $104,326

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC SPIRT (Strategic Partnerships with Industry Re)
Westmead Hospital (Westmead Hospital Partner Funds)

Start year: 1998

Summary: Atrial fibrillation is the most common abnormal heart rhythm which affects 12% of the population. Existing treatments for this condition are unsatisfactory. To cure, it is necessary to create linear lesions in the atrial heart muscle for which microwave technique appears to be promising. This project aims to investigate and establish techniques for manipulation of microwave radiation into tissues using antennas so that the shape and size of the lesions can be controlled effectively. Novel techniques for antenna modelling and optimization will be investigated. Prototype antennas and catheter delivery systems will be developed. Development will proceed to the level of human trials. The main aim of the project is to understand and be able to quantify the interaction and coupling between microwave radiation from antenna based catheters and the cardiac tissue to be ablated for producing and controlling lesions of given size and shape for the cure of cardiac arrhythmias. The objectives are to: (1) develop inter-disciplinary link between cardiac electro-physiologists from Westmead hospital and microwave antenna engineers at UTS to produce antenna based catheters (2)determine the relationship between radiated electromagnetic fields from the antenna and the shape and size of ablated legion,(3)optimize antenna design to allow efficient coupling to myocardium, (4) design and test novel antenna elements and array techniques to produce long, deep and narrow ablative lesions on the myocardium without affecting the surrounding areas, (5) design and test catheter delivery systems,(6)describe a process of manufacturing the antenna based catheters,(7)determine effects of microwave radiation and (8) refine and develop a minimally invasive procedure for testing.

Publications:

Heng-Mao Chiu, Mohan, AS, Weily, AR, Guy, DJR & Ross, DL 2003, 'Analysis of a novel expanded tip wire (ETW) antenna for microwave ablation of cardiac arrhythmias', IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 50, no. 7, pp. 890-899.
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Chiu, H, Sanagavarapu, AM, Duncan, G & Ross, DL 1970, 'Novel Parallel Loop Antenna for Circumferential Microwave Ablation of the Pulmonary Veins', Proceedings of the 2002 Interim International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, 2002 Interim International Symposium on Antennas & Propagation, IEICE (Japan), Yokosuka, Japan, pp. 331-334.

Chiu, HM & Mohan, AS 1970, 'Computer aided design of miniaturized antennas for microwave cardiac ablation', APMC 2001. 2001 Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference (Cat. No.01TH8577), APMC 2001. 2001 Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference, IEEE, Taipei, Taiwan, pp. 1299-1302.
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Sanagavarapu, AM & Chiu, H 1970, 'Design of an Expanded Tip Wire Antenna for Microwave Cardiac Ablation', 2002 Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2, Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference, IEICE (Japan) & IEEE, Kyoto, Japan, pp. 885-888.

Sanagavarapu, AM, Guy, DJ, Thomas, SP & Ross, D 1970, 'Miniaturised Antennas for Microwave Ablation for the cure of Cardiac Arrhythmias', Proceedings of 2000 Asia Pacific Microwave Conference (APMC), Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference, IEEE Press, Sydney, Australia, pp. 50-53.

THOMAS, SP, CLOUT, RAY, DEERY, C, MOHAN, AS & ROSS, DL 1999, 'Microwave Ablation of Myocardial Tissue', Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 72-78.
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FOR Codes: Communication equipment n.e.c., Cardiovascular diseases, Antenna Technology, Cardiology, Microwave and Millimetrewave Technology, Medical instrumentation

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.