From "Precise Navigation" to "Pulsed Ablation": The Revolution of Catheters in Cardiac Electrophysiology

From "Precise Navigation" to "Pulsed Ablation": The Revolution of Catheters in Cardiac Electrophysiology

Cardiac electrophysiology treatment is a core technology in the field of arrhythmias, and the catheter, as the key surgical tool, is undergoing a leap from traditional radiofrequency ablation to intelligent and efficient technologies.

3D Mapping Systems: The "Smart Navigation" of Surgery

3D Mapping Systems: The "Smart Navigation" of Surgery

Traditional two-dimensional catheters rely on the doctor's experience, whereas 3D mapping systems (such as Abbott's EnSiteTM X) create high-precision models to present the heart’s structure in three dimensions, helping doctors quickly locate the lesion. According to Abbott, when combined with next-generation catheters, the surgery time can be reduced by 70%. The domestic company MicroInterventional's Columbus® system has become the first domestic magnetic-electric dual-positioning mapping system, covering over 700 hospitals across China, with more than 30,000 3D surgeries completed.

Technological Highlights

· Magnetic-Electric Dual-Positioning: Enhances catheter stability and precision while reducing radiation exposure. This not only helps reduce long-term exposure risks for doctors but also lowers the radiation patients are exposed to, further improving the safety of the surgery.

· Fast Modeling Algorithm: Heart 3D modeling is completed within 5 minutes, improving efficiency by 50%.

 Pulsed Field Ablation: A Dual Breakthrough in Safety and Efficiency

Traditional radiofrequency ablation may damage surrounding tissues, while pulsed field ablation (such as FARAPULSE technology) selectively ablates the abnormal cells using non-thermal electrical fields, preserving healthy tissue. The team at Xi'an Jiaotong University Second Affiliated Hospital employed this technology in combination with left atrial appendage closure, requiring only 2.5 seconds of discharge per cycle, reducing surgery time to 27 minutes and enabling faster postoperative recovery.

Clinical Advantages

· Tissue Selectivity: Only acts on abnormal myocardium, avoiding damage to nerves and blood vessels.

· Surgical Efficiency: The time for complex atrial fibrillation treatments is reduced to one-third of that of traditional methods.

Integrated Solutions: A Full-Chain Innovation from Equipment to Services

The success of electrophysiology surgery relies not only on catheters but also on the coordination of mapping systems, doctor training, and postoperative support. Abbott's "Electrophysiology Integrated Solution" includes the EnSiteTM X system and TactiFlex catheter, empowering doctors to efficiently perform atrial fibrillation treatments. MicroInterventional offers a full-service process through the "equipment + consumables + technical support" model and is exploring robot-assisted navigation technology as part of the shift toward intelligent solutions.

Industry Trends

· Acceleration of Domestic Substitution: The market share of domestic 3D mapping systems has increased from 10% to 30%.

· Intelligent Upgrade: Magnetic navigation robotics technology may become the next competitive focus.

Conclusion
The iteration of catheter technology is redefining the boundaries of cardiac electrophysiology treatment. As a participant in the manufacturing of medical catheters, we are committed to empowering clinical practices with innovative technologies and working with industry partners to promote the widespread adoption of precision medicine.

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