Alan F Lane, 6723 Sonia Dr, Marlboro, MA 01752

5533515, Jul 9, 1996

Aug 11, 1994

8/289083

John A. Coller - Weston MA
Bruce Nappi - Newton MA
Alan J. Lane - Waltham MA

Foster-Miller - Waltham MA
Lahey Clinic Medical Center - Burlington MA

A61B 500

128748

A system for providing real-time measurements of constriction pressure applied by the inner surface of a body lumen, such as a sphincter, includes a probe comprising an elongated core member having a matrix of pressure transducer regions distributed over the surface of the elongated core member. The preferred matrix of pressure transducer regions is addressed by a first inner array of substantially parallel electrically conductive strips substantially conformed circumferentially to at least a portion of the elongated core member, the first array being disposed in overlapping relationship with a second outer array of substantially parallel electrically conductive strips, and substantially conformed axially to at least the same portion of the elongated core member, so as to provide a matrix of intersection regions. Each pressure transducer region is disposed at a corresponding intersection region, and is in electrical contact with both a electrically conductive strip of the first array, and a electrically conductive strip of the second array. In the preferred embodiment the strips of the outer array are mechanically decoupled from one another by axially-directed slits to allow each individual strip to respond independently under hydrostatically applied pressures.