Interactive In-Vitro Training In Physics Of Radiofrequency Ablation For Physicians And Medical Engineering Students.

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation requires a complex set of devices as well as profound electrophysiological experience and substantial knowledge of physical science basics. To establish RF ablation in-vitro teaching-system, six workstations were equipped with computer-controlled RF ablation generators. Universal connection boxes allow ablation-essays with catheters of different make and model. Special wetlabs were developed combining a basin containing isotonic saline solution with a thermostat and a pump to simulate blood flow. This hands-on teaching system can be used to demonstrate differences in lesion-forming dependent on tip-electrodes, sensor technology and ablation techniques, influence of blood flow and electrode-angle to the myocardium. It was also utilized to reproduce industrial in-vitro tests.