So far, only limited data are available on the exact clinical utility of the remote magnetic catheter navigation (RMN) system for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation and treatment of AF [ 5– 10].
We sought to develop a vascular phantom from poly vinyl) alcohol cryogel (PVA-C) that overcomes these limitations and provides a tool to test our magnetically-assisted remote control (MARC) endovascular catheter.
To record uterine activity, we surgically implanted a pressure catheter with remote telemeter into the injected horn of both knockdown and control mice.
The system consists of a robotic drive unit, a remote controller, and a catheter-specific disposable set that interfaces the drive unit with both the robotic sheath and the magnetic catheter.
Infusion of glucose 20% solution, calcium chloride (CaCl), sodium bicarbonate, and a second regulated balanced electrolyte solution (BES2, Jonosteril® PL 1000 ml, Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, Bad Homburg, Germany) is performed through infusion lines connected to the five-lumen central venous catheter by remote-controllable infusion pumps.
The latest generation of MN system (Niobe ES, Stereotaxis; Stx) allows faster remote manipulation of a soft catheter by means of a steerable magnetic field.
Since 2012, the third generation MN (Niobe ES), provides faster magnetic field direction changes and can be coupled with one or two robotic arms allowing remote control of the circular mapping catheter and of the ablation catheter sheath.
In the RMN group, the Niobe II magnetic navigation system (Stereotaxis) and a joystick-controlled motor drive (Cardiodrive, Stereotaxis) were utilized for remote magnetic navigation of the ablation catheter, whereas in the CON group the ablation catheter was guided manually.
The operator controls both RSh and catheter motion by manipulating the remote controller from the remote workstation.
