Researchers at George Washington University and Northwestern University have developed a new class of soft devices that can provide new functionality for catheters used in cardiac procedures. The new materials are soft electronics, including stretchable sensors and actuators, that when applied to the surface of a catheter system, could greatly assist in diagnosing and treating cardiac conditions.
Catheter-based therapy for conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias is well-established. However, current catheters are quite rigid and do not conform particularly well to the soft tissues in which they are used. This makes it difficult to assess and treat such tissues comprehensively and requires significant effort and time to move the catheter around during a procedure. Existing catheters can also perform only a limited number of functions, meaning that several different types of catheters may be required during the same procedure.
To address these issues, these researchers have developed a new type of catheter that conforms well with soft tissues, making it easier to access and treat cardiac conditions while significantly reducing the time required for each procedure. Moreover, the new catheter contains soft electronics, such as temperature and pressure sensors, that allow it to analyze the tissue around itself. Via…
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