Selective Arterial Thrombosis Using the Electromagnetic Field Focusing (EFF) System: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

The electromagnetic field focusing (EFF) probe, based on the principle of eddy current convergence, produces pinpoint heat at its point of contact so intense that it can thrombose vessels. Since the probe diameter can be as small as 0.2 mm and can be flexible, it can be navigated transvascularly to a desired point in order to thrombose vessels. The present experiments were conducted to study intravascular thrombosis of arteries. Six arteries in 2 dogs were used for the study. The tip of a flexible probe with a probe tip length of 7 mm was placed in the artery at a desired point and exposed to 150 watts of electromagnetic field. Arteries that were 3 millimeters (mm) in diameter could be thrombosed when exposed to the electromagnetic field for twenty to thirty seconds (4 arter ies). Fifty seconds of exposure resulted in perforation of the artery (1 artery). A larger artery (6 mm in diameter) could not be thrombosed with this method. Histologic studies showed a firm thrombus with no changes in the arterial wall. This technique could be used to thrombose arteries feeding vascular tumors, arteriovenous malformations, and certain intracranial aneurysms, and for arte rial embolization in bleeding problems.