摘要 |
<p>An apparatus for the evaluation of tissue ablation is provided. The apparatus comprises a broadband (white; multiple wavelengths) light and/or laser light (single wavelength) illumination source that delivers light to the site where a lesion is being formed. Scattered light is collected from the ablated tissue and evaluated to obtain qualitative information regarding the newly formed lesion. The apparatus allows assessment of such parameters as, for example, catheter- tissue proximity, lesion formation, depth of penetration of the lesion, cross-sectional area of the lesion in the tissue, formation of char during the ablation, recognition of char from non-charred tissue, formation of coagulum around the ablation site, differentiation of coagulated from non-coagulated blood, differentiation of ablated from healthy tissue, and recognition of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop. These assessments are accomplished by measuring the intensity and spectrum of diffusely reflected light at one or more wavelengths.</p> |