METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING THE FUNCTIONING OF BODY STRUCTURES COMPRISING SMOOTH MUSCLE WALLS

摘要

A method for determining whether a body structure of a patient comprising a muscular wall member formed of smooth muscle tissue (e.g., the urinary bladder) is functioning normally or abnormally comprises: (i) measuring the micromotion of the muscular wall member; (ii) generating a parameter characteristic of the state of the body structure based on the measured micromotion; and (iii) comparing the parameter with a predetermined performance scale to determine whether the body structure is experiencing normal or abnormal function. The method may be effected by the use of a specialized probe.