Methods for pressure measurements within a body lumen

Abstract

Medical devices, perfusion systems, and methods for detecting a pressure within a space in a subject and for perfusion of fluid into a space in a subject. The space may be a fluid-filled space, or a space that is depleted of fluid due to an obstruction to fluid flow into the space. Methods for forming the medical devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 forming an elongated body having a wall that defines a first lumen, a stiffener embedded in the wall, and a sensor lumen positioned in the wall, where the sensor lumen is not in direct fluid communication with the first lumen and does not impinge on the first lumen, the elongated body has a first end and a second end, and the first lumen extends from the first end to the second end such that both the first and second ends are open; and   positioning a sensor at least partially in the sensor lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the sensor lumen is bounded, at least in part, by a liner. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , where the liner includes a polymer. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , where the liner includes a metal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where the forming included heating a polymer that forms the wall. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where the first lumen is shaped using a mandrel, and where the sensor lumen is shaped using another mandrel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where the sensor is connected to a transmission line, and the positioning the sensor at least partially in the sensor lumen comprises positioning the sensor at least partially in the sensor lumen and positioning a portion of the transmission line in the sensor lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 securing the sensor to the elongated body using an embedding medium.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , where the forming includes forming the elongated body to have an opening in the wall that is in communication with the sensor lumen, and the securing includes inserting the embedding medium into the sensor lumen through the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising:
 securing the sensor to the elongated body such that the sensor can detect a parameter through an opening at the first end of the elongated body.