Essay Sample on Evaluating Performance of a Proposed MRI-Compatible Catheter for Cardiac Catheterization

Introduction

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a standard treatment technique used in medical centers today to illustrate detailed images of patients' tissues and body organs. The objective of the study reported in the attached publication is to investigate as well as evaluate the performance effectiveness of a new proposed MRI-compatible catheter if introduced for cardiac catheterization. The research publication was authored by Yao et al. (2012) it focused on assessing the mechanical properties of the proposed MRI-compatible catheter. Additionally, the parameters involved in this assessment of the focused MRI Catheter included flexibility, torquability as well as pushability when employed for cardiac operations.

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Summary of Past Work Reported in the Article

Other past publications reviewed in the study included the research article prepared by Razavi et al. (2003) that sought to determine the effectiveness of a cardiac catheterization process that is guided by MRI when treating the congenital heart disease (CHD) in children. Additionally, in different research conducted and authored by Wildermuth et al. (1998), the effectiveness of an MRI-guided Percutaneous clinical angioplasty was assessed in reference to its effectiveness in treating patients. Particularly, that is in reference to the tool's tracking safety, functionality and catheter handling.

Methodology

The experimental study methodology was employed in the formulation of the findings of Yao et al. (2012). Additionally, in the experiment, the performance of the steerable catheter that is MR-compatible was assessed by benchmarking it using results produced by three commercially-accessible clinical setting ablation catheters, which are not MRI-compatible. Flexibility, pushability as well as torquability of the new MR-compatible catheter during its utilization were determined. On the other hand, the method used in the Wildermuth et al. (1998) research was a laboratory investigation where the real-time, as well as biplanar tracking of the used PTA catheter, was performed.

In the stated research conducted by Wildermuth et al. (1998), a small-sized radiofrequency (RF) coils were attached at the catheter tip. Also, the coils were then connected to the coaxial cable that was embedded in the catheter wall. Contrary, the method used in research conducted by Razavi et al. (2003) was a laboratory investigation where combinations of magnetic resonance, as well as radiographic imaging facilities, were employed. Also, based on Razavi et al. (2003), the MRI was employed to measure the morphology and flow of MRI sequences in real-time so as to visualize the balloon angiographic medical catheters.

Results

The key findings of Yao et al. (2012) study portrayed that the proposed catheter has a mechanical performance that is comparable to that of other already existing catheters while still being MR compatible. Additionally, this makes the proposed MRI-compatible catheter to be more effective in yielding better treatment results when treating patients with cardiovascular operable medical conditions. The finding of Yao et al.'s (2012) clinical study was also supported by the research executed by Razavi et al. (2003). The findings of the latter study showed that the execution of cardiac catheterization in MRI is safe and more effective when employed for the intervention implementation purpose.

The results of Razavi et al. (2003) investigation also illustrated that the use of an MRI-compatible catheter enabled cardiologists to have better tissue visualization in the patients' body, which then results in improved physiological information. Subsequently, this aids in lowering the level of radiation exposure subjected to patients during treatment compared to the radiation exposure levels recorded among cardiac clients treated using fluoroscopically-guided procedures (Razavi et al., 2003). The results of Yao et al.'s (2012) and Razavi et al. (2003) on the effectiveness of an MRI-guided catheter for treatment can also be supported by the results of the Wildermuth et al. (1998) research.

In this case, the results of Wildermuth et al. (1998) research found out that the degree of heating on the RF coil was found to be directly proportional to the RF pulses recorded power. Also, the findings of the Wildermuth et al. (1998) experiment found out that the heating of the MR-tracking catheter was negligible (Wildermuth et al., 1998). As such, it could not have significant side effects on the health of a patient when being used for medical surgery operations. As such, it was ascertained that the MR-tracing PTA catheter worked well both in Vitro and Vivo conditions and thus appropriate for clinical intervention delivery.

Conclusion

The research conducted by Yao et al. (2012) has a significant contribution to the healthcare profession today. Particularly, that is because it has played a role in improving the quality of treatment offered by cardiologists when treating patients with cardiac healthcare conditions today. Subsequently, this can help to improve the rates of patients' healthcare outcomes in cardiology departments. As a student in biomedical instrumentation, I possessed the knowledge of how electronic equipment can be employed to measure a patient's physiological patient information. Such knowledge is also inclusive of my understanding of how the level of medical care offered by healthcare practitioners to patients can be enhanced by electronic equipment. As such, with the background knowledge in Biomedical Instrumentation, I was able to understand or comprehend the materials of the article. Also, Yao et al. (2012) further enhanced my understanding of the effectiveness of utilizing electronic devices in enhancing the quality of treatment services offered to patients in clinical settings.

On a personal opinion, the mechanical performance of the magnetic resonance-compatible prototype catheter was investigated thoroughly. Particularly, the prototype's flexibility, pushability, and torquability were comprehensively tested to ensure that the device is safe to use on patients during cardiac surgeries. However, the research could have further investigated the effectiveness of using nylon braided tubing in enhancing the safety measures of the magnetic resonance-compatible prototype catheter when being employed for cardiac interventions' administration. Additionally, that is because a Nitinol ribbon was employed when testing the prototype to minimize the kink resistance at the catheter's steering tip. Nevertheless, no much research was performed to assess potential negative repercussions of using the ribbon on the patients' health during treatment implementation.

Literature

The full citations for the research articles that were reviewed in this report are listed below in the references section. Additionally, the stated publications were authored by Yao et al. (2012), Razavi et al. (2003), as well as Wildermuth et al. (1998) and all the publications, provided an explanation of the significance of biomedical instrumentation in improving the healthcare outcomes of patients in the clinical setting. In this case, Razavi et al. (2003) and Wildermuth et al. (1998) research publications illustrated tested biomedical instruments have been employed or tested in the past in improving the healthcare outcomes of patients with cardiovascular problems. As such, the information provided in the two stated research publications significantly improved my understanding of the research by Yao et al. (2012).

References

Razavi, R., Hill, D. L., Keevil, S. F., Miquel, M. E., Muthurangu, V., Hegde, S., Rhode, K., Barnett, M., Vaals, J. V., Hawkes, D. J., and Baker, E., 2003, "Cardiac Catheterization Guided by MRI in Children and Adults With Congenital Heart Disease," Lancet, 362, pp. 1877-1882. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14956-2

Wildermuth, S. Dumoulin, C. L., Pfammater, T., Maier, S. E., Hofmann, E., & Debatin, J. F. (1998). MR-Guided Percutaneous Angioplasty: Assessment of Tracking Safety, Catheter Handling, and Functionality. Cardiovascular Intervention Radiology. 22, 404-410. doi:10.1007/s002709900288

Yao, W., Schaeffter, T., Seneviratne, L., & Althoefer, K. (2012). Developing a Magnetic Resonance-Compatible Catheter for Cardiac Catheterization. Journal of Medical Devices, 6 (041002-3), 1-7.