| 摘要 |
<p>An apparatus (10) and method are disclosed for measuring the compliance of the lower esophageal sphincter (21) (LES), the apparatus comprises a catheter (12) having a plurality of extendable members (28, 30, 32) disposed there along for both measuring the compliance of the LES and stimulating the esophagus (19) which relaxes the LES to obtain a more clinically relevant measurement of LES compliance. In one embodiment, the plurality of extendable members include a first balloon (28) which is located and inflated within the esophagus to trigger esophageal motility, a second, non-elastic balloon (30) that is positioned within the LES, and a third balloon (32) which is inflated within the stomach (23) to help align the second balloon with LES. Incrementally increasing volumes of air are introduced into the second balloon, with the resulting pressures exerted by the LES calculated and compared to normative values to assess the condition of the LES.</p> |
