| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus for determining the volume of a vessel (2,3) or a part thereof comprises a balloon catheter (5) having a catheter (6) and an inflatable balloon (10) located at a distal end (8) thereof which when inflated defines with the catheter (6) an annular hollow interior region (12). A pair of spaced apart stimulating electrodes (14) are located on the catheter (6) within the balloon (10) and a plurality of spaced apart sensing electrodes (15) are located on the catheter (6) between the stimulating electrodes (14). The balloon (10) is inflated by an electrically conductive saline solution to define the interior of the vessel (2,3). A stimulus signal of constant current is applied to the stimulating electrodes (14), resulting voltages on the sensing electrodes (15) are read for determining the transverse cross-sectional area of the balloon adjacent the respective sensing electrodes (15). By selecting two electrodes of the sensing electrodes (15) between which the volume of the vessel is to be determined, the volume of all or a part of the vessel (2,3) is determined, depending on the two sensing electrodes (15) which are selected.</p> |
