Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and congenital heart diseases (CHD) pose significant global health challenges. Fluoroscopy-guided endovascular interventions, though effective, are accompanied by ionizing radiation concerns, especially in pediatric cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) emerges as a radiation-free alternative, offering superior soft tissue visualization and functional insights. However, the lack of compatible instruments remains a hurdle. We present two novel catheter systems, a tendon-driven steerable catheter and an active tracking Tiger-shaped catheter, fabricated using a unique fiber drawing technique. These catheters, showcasing mechanical properties similar to commercial counterparts, have undergone rigorous in-vitro and in-vivo testing, yielding promising outcomes. This innovative approach has the potential to streamline medical device development, thus enhancing patient care in MR-guided interventions.
@article{arxiv.2403.05485,
title = {A Paradigm Shift in Catheter Development: Thermally Drawn Polymeric Fibers for MR-Guided Cardiovascular Interventions},
author = {Mohamed E. M. K. Abdelaziz and Libaihe Tian and Thomas Lottner and Simon Reiss and Timo Heidt and Alexander Maier and Klaus Düring and Constantin von zur Mühlen and Michael Bock and Eric Yeatman and Guang-Zhong Yang and Burak Temelkuran},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.05485},
year = {2024}
}