Biosense Webster, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, has started enrolling and treating patients in a US Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study of its QDOT MICRO Radiofrequency (RF) Ablation Catheter.

QDOT is intended to treat symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). It has been designed to deliver high power ablation in a short amount of time.

AF is a type of irregular heartbeat and if a patient’s heartbeat returns to normal without treatment within seven days then their condition will be referred to as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This often becomes a permanent condition that needs regular treatment.

The steerable multi-electrode catheter is said to enable mapping of heart, and features optimised temperature control, micro-electrode technology and force-sensing technology.

“QDOT is intended to treat symptomatic drug-refractory paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). It has been designed to deliver high power ablation in a short amount of time.”

The first patient in the device’s US IDE study was treated at NYU Langone Health’s Heart Rhythm Center in New York City. The trial will be conducted in up to 30 participating centres in the US and will enrol approximately 185 patients.

Heart Rhythm Center director Larry Chinitz said: “The delivery of 90W of RF power in a short, four-second ablation session is a significant advancement in the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“We’re eager to see whether this new technology helps to reduce procedure time and improve clinical outcomes.”

Biosense Webster noted that existing catheter technologies deliver RF ablation at an average power range of 20W and 40W and for 20 to 40 seconds.

However, the new QDOT catheter is said to deliver 90W in a four-second temperature-controlled session. The device is currently available only for investigational use in the US.

Biosense Webster worldwide president Uri Yaron said: “The QDOT MICRO RF Ablation Catheter is an example of the innovations we’ve been focused on developing to elevate the standard of care for patients with cardiac arrhythmias.

“We believe this ablation catheter will revolutionise the field of ablation and hope it will make a meaningful difference in outcomes for both physicians and patients, just as the first catheter created by our co-founder, the late Will Webster, did.”

The company commenced treatment in the European study of the device in May last year. The first patient participant was treated at OLV Hospital in Belgium, which is one of the eight centres in Europe.

Additional reporting by Charlotte Edwards.