Patent ID: 6955675

Claim:
A catheter for use during treatment of biological tissue within a biological organ having fluid flowing therethrough, said catheter comprising: a shaft having a distal segment adapted to be positioned in the biological organ, the distal segment having a tissue-contacting area and a fluid-contacting area spaced apart from the tissue-contacting area, wherein the space between the two areas allows for the tissue-contacting area to contact the biological tissue while the fluid-contacting area contacts the fluid flowing through the organ; at least one pressure sensor associated with the distal segment and positioned within the tissue-contacting area, the pressure sensor adapted to provide pressure data indicative of the pressure exerted on the distal segment at or near the pressure sensor; and at least one flow sensor positioned within the fluid-contacting area and adapted to provide flow-rate data indicative of the flow rate of the fluid through the biological organ.