Radiofrequency ablation catheters are primarily used in cardiac electrophysiology research and treatment, especially in the management of cardiac arrhythmias. These catheters generate thermal energy through high-frequency electrical currents to ablate the origins of abnormal cardiac rhythms. Within the industry, these catheters are referred to as platinum-iridium electrodes.
Platinum and iridium are chosen for their excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, making them ideal materials for cardiac radiofrequency ablation therapy. Since these catheters are considered medical waste, they must be collected and stored in accordance with strict medical waste disposal regulations. Subsequently, the external plastic and internal metal components of the catheters are separated.
During the extraction process, the separated metal parts undergo chemical treatment to isolate platinum and iridium. After appropriate chemical processing, platinum and iridium can be effectively separated from other materials and recovered in a purer form.
Finally, the recovered platinum and iridium are refined, and once they meet the required purity and quality standards, these metals can be used to manufacture new medical devices or recycled for other industrial applications.
