Coronary venous system pressure sensing

Abstract

Disclose herein is a method of measuring pressures in a coronary sinus. In one embodiment, the method includes: introducing a distal portion of a lead or tool into the coronary sinus, wherein the distal portion includes first and second pressure sensors and at least one selectably expandable member; expanding the at least one expandable member such that the first and second sensors are isolated from each other within the coronary sinus; and taking pressure measurements with the first and second sensors when isolated from each other.

1 . An implantable medical lead or delivery tool comprising a tubular body with a distal portion including first and second sensors and first selectably expandable member separating the first and second sensors, wherein the first and second sensors are at least one of pressure sensors, fluid velocity sensors and force sensors. 
     
     
         2 . The lead or tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensors are pressure sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The lead or tool of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion further includes a third sensor, wherein the first, second and third sensors are at least one of pressure sensors, fluid velocity sensors and force sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The lead or tool of  claim 3 , wherein the first, second and third sensors are pressure sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The lead or tool of  claim 3 , wherein the distal portion further includes a second expandable member and the expandable members separate the first, second and third sensors from each other. 
     
     
         6 . The lead or tool of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable members are independently expandable from each other. 
     
     
         7 . The lead or tool of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is a selectably expandable balloon. 
     
     
         8 . A tool associated with the implantation of an implantable medical lead, the tool comprising: a tubular body with a distal portion; and a pressure sensing capability associated with the distal portion. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8 , further comprising an occlusion member associated with the distal portion. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 8 , further comprising a sheath at least one of circumferentially and longitudinally displaceable along an outer surface of the tubular body, wherein the pressure sensing capability is on the sheath. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure sensing capability includes a pressure sensor on the distal portion. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure sensing capability includes a pressure sensor located remote from the distal portion.