Conductive Hydrogels as a Medium for Shapeable Catheter Ablation Electrodes

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) uses rigid metallic electrodes whose fixed geometry limits tissue contact, lesion continuity, and safe energy delivery near vulnerable structures. We evaluated a moldable, tissue-conforming conductive hydrogel as an RFCA electrode ex vivo. METHODS: Poly(ether urethane diacrylamide) hydrogels with saline-tuned conductivity were molded into plugs, disks, and bars and affixed to an irrigated 8-Fr catheter. Ablations were performed on excised porcine tissue in circulated saline at 37 C under fixed contact force and irrigation. Lesion geometry, in

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