In vitro contact force evaluation of robotic magnetic navigation catheters; Head to head comparison of different catheters and different settings

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

The MAGiC™ catheter achieved significantly higher contact force compared to other robotic magnetic navigation catheters across all magnetic field intensities and orientations.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Population: In vitro contact force measurement for ablation (n=2340). Intervention: MAGiC™ catheter vs. Other RMN catheters (Navistar RMT, Celsius RMT, Magnoflush). Primary outcome: Maximal contact force (CF) (36% higher longitudinal and 156% higher perpendicular contact force, p=<0.05).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

The MAGiC™ catheter generates significantly higher contact force than other irrigated robotic magnetic navigation catheters across various magnetic field intensities and orientations. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate and compare the in vitro maximal contact force generated by four irrigated robotic magnetic navigation ablation catheters across various magnetic field intensities, orientations, and support settings.

Zdeněk Stárek; Filip Souček; Martin Pesl; Martin Folprecht

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0357588

September 28, 2026PLoS ONEOpen Access

In vitro contact force evaluation of robotic magnetic navigation catheters; Head to head comparison of different catheters and different settings

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Key result

MAGiC catheter increases perpendicular contact force up to ~156% versus conventional robotic magnetic navigation catheters.

36% higher longitudinal and 156% higher perpendicular contact force
P<0.05
n=2,340

Figures

Why the study?

The maximal contact force achieved by different irrigated RMN ablation catheters under various conditions was not previously compared in vitro.

Does the MAGiC robotic magnetic navigation catheter improve in vitro maximal contact force compared to other available RMN catheters under various experimental settings?

Key Points

To evaluate and compare the in vitro maximal contact force generated by four irrigated robotic magnetic navigation ablation catheters across various magnetic field intensities, orientations, and support settings.
Mounted an in vitro measurement model with a high-precision goldsmith scale between the permanent magnets of the Stereotaxis robotic magnetic navigation system to collect 2,340 contact force measurements.
Tested four irrigated catheters (Navistar RMT, Celsius RMT, Magnoflush, MAGiC™) across three magnetic field intensities (0.05 T, 0.08 T, 0.10 T) under perpendicular and longitudinal orientations.
Evaluated the impact of sheath support (free distal tip length of 3.5 cm vs 14 cm) and irrigation flow rates (2 ml/min, 17 ml/min, 30 ml/min).
In the perpendicular orientation, median contact force for MAGiC™ ranged from 5.09 ± 0.65 g to 10.83 ± 0.89 g compared with 1.75 ± 0.18 g to 4.22 ± 0.36 g for the other catheters, representing a 156% higher value.
In the longitudinal orientation at 0.10 T, MAGiC™ achieved median contact forces ranging from 13.80 ± 0.10 g to 19.80 ± 0.50 g, approximately 36% higher than other catheters, which ranged from 7.00 ± 0.50 g to 14.50 ± 0.38 g.
Decreasing free catheter tip length from 14 cm to 3.5 cm approximately doubled contact force across catheters (p < 0.05), peaking at 29.25 ± 1.90 g for Magnoflush at 0.08 T, whereas irrigation flow rates showed no measurable effect.

Structured PICO

Does the MAGiC robotic magnetic navigation catheter improve in vitro maximal contact force compared to other available RMN catheters under various experimental settings?

P

Population

In vitro experimental study assessing contact force across 4 irrigated robotic magnetic navigation ablation catheters under multiple settings, yielding 2,340 measurements.

I

Intervention

MAGiC™ irrigated robotic magnetic navigation ablation catheter evaluated at varying magnetic field intensities (0.10 T, 0.08 T, 0.05 T), orientations (longitudinal and perpendicular), irrigation flow rates (2, 17, and 30 ml/min), and sheath support extensions (3.5 cm, 7 cm, and 14 cm).

C

Comparator

Three other clinically available irrigated RMN ablation catheters (Navistar RMT, Celsius RMT, Magnoflush) tested under identical experimental conditions.

O

Outcome

In vitro maximal contact force (CF) in grams, measured using a high-precision goldsmith scale mounted in a dedicated frame.surrogate

Main Result

Effect estimate: 36% higher longitudinal and 156% higher perpendicular contact force

p-value: p=<0.05

The newer generation MAGiC robotic magnetic navigation catheter produces significantly higher and more reproducible in vitro contact force compared to previous RMN catheters, particularly in the perpendicular orientation.

Limitations

Did not account for the influence of blood flow, cardiac motion, or other physiological conditions
Measurements performed in a single magnetic field configuration (sagittal orientation)
Experimental model was not validated against a direct force-sensing catheter comparison
Did not account for the influence of blood flow, cardiac motion, or other physiological conditions.
All measurements were performed in a single magnetic field configuration (sagittal orientation).
The experimental model was not validated against a direct force-sensing catheter comparison.

Implication

No immediate practice change in robotic ablation; leaves open whether higher force improves clinical outcomes.

Abstract

Background The Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation (RMN) system uses an external magnetic field to navigate catheters inside the heart during arrhythmia ablation. This study compared in vitro maximal contact force (CF) achieved with different irrigated RMN ablation catheters under various conditions. Methods An in vitro model was created to measure CF using a high-precision goldsmith scale mounted in a dedicated frame between the permanent magnets of the Stereotaxis RMN system. Four irrigated RMN catheters (Navistar RMT, Celsius RMT, Magnoflush, MAGiC™) were evaluated at three magnetic field intensities (0.10 T, 0.08 T, 0.05 T) and under multiple settings. Results The MAGiC™ catheter consistently achieved significantly higher CF across all magnetic field intensities and orientations. At 0.10 T, longitudinal median CF ranged from 13.80 g (±0.10) to 19.80 g (±0.50), approximately 36% higher than the other catheters, which ranged from 7.00 g (±0.50) to 14.50 g (±0.38). In the perpendicular orientation, MAGiC™ ranged from 5.09 g (±0.65) to 10.83 g (±0.89), about 156% higher than the others, which ranged from 1.75 g (±0.18) to 4.22 g (±0.36). Across all catheters, CF increased with higher magnetic field intensity, with greater sheath support and with longitudinal orientation. Conclusions The MAGiC™ catheter achieved significantly higher CF than other RMN catheters in both longitudinal and perpendicular orientations. The remaining catheters demonstrated comparable CF performance across all magnetic field intensities. Contact force increased with greater magnetic field strength and enhanced sheath support, and was consistently higher in the longitudinal compared with the perpendicular orientation.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Stárek et al. (2026) studied In vitro contact force measurement for ablation (n=2,340). MAGiC™ catheter vs. Other RMN catheters (Navistar RMT, Celsius RMT, Magnoflush) was evaluated on Maximal contact force (CF) (36% higher longitudinal and 156% higher perpendicular contact force, p=<0.05). The MAGiC™ catheter achieved significantly higher contact force compared to other robotic magnetic navigation catheters across all magnetic field intensities and orientations.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6abc576efbfca106a1247e8f https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357588

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In vitro contact force evaluation of robotic magnetic navigation catheters; Head to head comparison of different catheters and different settings

Figures

Key Points

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

In vitro contact force evaluation of robotic magnetic navigation catheters; Head to head comparison of different catheters and different settings

Figures

Key Points

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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