| 摘要 |
Devices and methods for measuring the weakness of body lumens, and in particular, urethral sphincters and similar valves are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a catheter (12) with a hollow fluted distal end (14) can be inserted into a lumen (44). The hollow fluted distal end (14) of the catheter (12) is then expanded into an enlarged configuration (30). The measurement of resistance to withdrawal of the catheter (12) in the enlarged configuration (30) provides an indication of weakness of the lumen (44). In one aspect of the invention, the catheter (12) is inserted into a bladder via the urethral sphincter (42) and the weakness of the urethral sphincter (42) is measured. In another aspect of the invention, a device for measuring weakness of a body lumen, such as a urethral sphincter (42) and similar valves, can consist of a catheter (12) with a hollow fluted distal end (14) having of an array of wings (16) and an expanding means (24) for radially expanding the wings (16) into an enlarged configuration (30). Subsequent withdrawal of the catheter (12) in the enlarged configuration (30) encounter resistances which can be measured as an indication of the weakness of the body lumen, such as a urethral sphincter (42) and similar valves. In still another aspect of the invention, a system for measuring weakness of a body lumen can consist of a catheter (12), a means (24) for expanding a hollow fluted distal end (14) of the catheter (12) from a first configuration into a second enlarged configuration (30) and means for measuring resistance to withdrawal of the catheter in the enlarged configuration (30) as an indicator of weakness of the body lumen, such as the urethral sphincter (42) and similar valves.
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