Abstract: Methods for measuring cross-sectional areas in luminal organs.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a system includes: an impedance catheter capable of being introduced into a targeted site; a solution delivery source; a constant current source; a balloon inflation control device; and a data acquisition and processing system that receives conductance and/or pressure gradient data from the catheter and calculates the cross-sectional area of the targeted site. In one embodiment, the catheter has an inflatable balloon along its longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the breakup of any materials causing stenosis at the targeted site and/or distention and delivery of an optional stent into the targeted site.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a method includes the steps of introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site, providing electrical current flow to the treatment site, injecting a first solution and measuring a first conductance value, injecting a second solution and measuring a second conductance value, and calculating the cross-sectional area of the treatment site, in part, based on the first and second conductance values.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a method includes the steps of introducing an impedance catheter into a treatment site, providing electrical current flow to the treatment site, injecting a first solution and measuring a first conductance value, injecting a second solution and measuring a second conductance value, and calculating the cross-sectional area of the treatment site, in part, based on the first and second conductance values.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to medical measurement systems for evaluation of organ function and understanding symptom and pain mechanisms. This model takes into account a number of factors such as volume and properties of the fluid and the surrounding tissue. Particular emphasis is on a multifunctional probe that can provide a number of measurements including volume of refluxate in the esophagus and to what level it extents. The preferred embodiments of the invention relate to methods and apparatus for measuring luminal cross-sectional areas of internal organs such as blood vessels, the gastrointestinal tract, the urogenital tract and other hollow visceral organs and the volume of the flow through the organ. It can also be used to determine conductivity of the fluid in the lumen and thereby it can determine the parallel conductance of the wall and geometric and mechanical properties of the organ wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for investigating force-deformation properties in muscles in walls of bodily hollow systems. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing such investigating force-deformation properties in muscles in walls of bodily hollow systems and the use of such apparatus. By the method and the apparatus it is possible from measurements made deriving data on force-deformation relationship in the walls of the hollow system in order to obtain knowledge on active and passive tissue properties.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a system includes: an impedance catheter capable of being introduced into a targeted site; a solution delivery source; a constant current source; a balloon inflation control device; and a data acquisition and processing system that receives conductance and/or pressure gradient data from the catheter and calculates the cross-sectional area of the targeted site. In one embodiment, the catheter has an inflatable balloon along its longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the breakup of any materials causing stenosis at the targeted site and/or distention and delivery of an optional stent into the targeted site.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for measuring deformations and force applied to a probe are disclosed. The system may be a mechanical system a physical system or a biological system such as e.g. a bodily hollow system. The apparatus comprises an elongated elastic probe, a conducting medium attached to or contained by the probe, two or more electrodes being electrically connected by the conducting medium, the electrodes being attached to the probe, and the apparatus furthermore comprising means for measuring an electrical parameter, such as the potential difference between at least two of the number of electrodes, the measured electrical parameter being indicative of a deformation of the probe in at least the longitudinal direction of the elongated probe. The force applied to the probe may be determined from a pre-calibration of the electrical parameter-force relationship of the probe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring geometry and compliance in sphincters and other narrowing regions. The apparatus comprises a catheter with an inflatable balloon to be inserted and inflated in the narrowing region. Inside the balloon it is possible to make multiple cross-sectional area or diameter measurements in an axial direction such that a three-dimensional profile of the balloon can be obtained. Preferably multiple sets of electrodes are provided inside the balloon and the cross-sectional recordings are based on measurements of the electrical impedance of an electrically conducting fluid inside the balloon.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a system includes: an impedance catheter capable of being introduced into a targeted site; a solution delivery source; a constant current source; a balloon inflation control device; and a data acquisition and processing system that receives conductance and/or pressure gradient data from the catheter and calculates the cross-sectional area of the targeted site. In one embodiment, the catheter has an inflatable balloon along its longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the breakup of any materials causing stenosis at the targeted site and/or distention and delivery of an optional stent into the targeted site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the determining of morphometric properties of bodily hollow systems at the natural state or during distension of the organ using a balloon or bag. A method of obtaining morphometric measures of a hollow internal organ is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of introducing from an exteriorly accessible opening of a bodily hollow system a catheter into the hollow system, the catheter being provided with one or more inflatable balloons situated between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter, subsequently inflating at least one of the balloons in the hollow internal organ at least until the balloon abuts an inner wall of the hollow system and determining at least one morphometric parameter at a level of inflation. Moreover, the invention relates to an apparatus for measurement of morphometric data of a bodily hollow system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for investigating force-deformation properties in muscles in walls of bodily hollow systems. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing such investigating force-deformation properties in muscles in walls of bodily hollow systems and the use of such apparatus. By the method and the apparatus it is possible from measurements made deriving data on force-deformation relationship in the walls of the hollow system in order to obtain knowledge on active and passive tissue properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for stimulating and/or measuring visceral pain in a bodily hollow system of a human being or an animal. The method and apparatus is especially well suited for multi-modal stimulation and measuring, where different stimulus modalities are integrated into one stimulus device. The stimuli may be any one or more of the stimuli: mechanical stimulus, thermal stimulus, chemical stimulus and electric stimulus. The stimuli may activate superficial and deeper layers of the hollow system. Distinct responses to the individual stimuli and robust stimulus-response relations are obtained and result in the possibility of comparative studies of different visceral sensations.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system, catheter and method for measuring the cross-sectional areas and pressure gradients in any hollow organ, such as, for example, blood vessels. One embodiment of such a system includes: an impedance catheter capable of being introduced into a targeted site; a solution delivery source; a constant current source; a balloon inflation control device; and a data acquisition and processing system that receives conductance and/or pressure gradient data from the catheter and calculates the cross-sectional area of the targeted site. In one embodiment, the catheter has an inflatable balloon along its longitudinal axis, thereby enabling the breakup of any materials causing stenosis at the targeted site and/or distention and delivery of an optional stent into the targeted site.