Patent ID: 7485099

Claim:
A device for determining a pressure exerted within an anatomical structure, said device comprising: a) a sensor comprising an encapsulated member having (i) a membrane enclosing an encapsulated volume therewithin and (ii) a body of supportive material disposed within the membrane that substantially fills and defines the encapsulated volume, the sensor having a link extending therefrom, said sensor being positionable within the anatomical structure, said sensor being operative to compress against said anatomical structure, measure pressure exerted within said anatomical structure, produce a signal representative of the pressure exerted within said anatomical structure and transmit said signal through said link; and b) a monitor coupled to said link for receiving said signal generated by said sensor, said monitor being operative to provide a quantifiable indication of the compressive force exerted within said anatomical structure, wherein the supportive material is compressive foam disposed within the encapsulated member, said compressive foam being operatively transitional between a first expansive state when a first baseline amount of pressure is applied thereto and a second compressed state whereby said foam compresses to assume a configuration having a reduced volume corresponding to a second higher amount of pressure applied upon the external surface of said encapsulated member.