Apparatus and method for detecting contact pressure

摘要

An apparatus for performing an operation inside a body in the vicinity of a wall therein which includes a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity is adapted to be inserted into the body for performing the operation therein and the proximal extremity is adapted to be disposed outside the body. A pressure sensor is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible elongate tubular member for sensing the force being applied to the distal extremity in bringing it into engagement with the wall so that the force being applied to the distal extremity can be controlled.