Catheter balloon methods and apparatus employing sensing elements

Abstract

An apparatus for medical diagnosis and/or treatment is provides. The apparatus includes a flexible substrate forming an inflatable body and a plurality of sensing elements disposed on the flexible substrate. The plurality of sensing elements are disposed about the inflatable body such that the sensing elements are disposed at areas of minimal curvature of the inflatable body in a deflated state.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A stretchable electronic system comprising:
 a flexible annular interconnect; and   a first plurality of electrodes coupled to the flexible annular interconnect.   
     
     
         40 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible annular interconnect has a first radius and wherein each electrode in the first plurality of electrodes is coupled to the flexible annular interconnect via at least one flexible connector extending from the annular interconnect such that the first plurality of electrodes are positioned at a second radius distinct from the first radius. 
     
     
         41 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible annular interconnect is formed from a conductive material. 
     
     
         42 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 40 , wherein the second radius is greater than the first radius. 
     
     
         43 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 40 , further comprising a second plurality of electrodes coupled to the flexible annular interconnect, each electrode in the second plurality of electrodes coupled to the flexible annular interconnect via the at least one flexible connector extending from the annular interconnect such that the second plurality of electrodes are positioned at a third radius, distinct from the first and second radii. 
     
     
         44 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 43 , wherein the third radius is greater than the second radius. 
     
     
         45 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , further comprising a flexible substrate forming an inflatable body, the flexible annular interconnect and the first plurality of electrodes coupled to a peripheral portion of the flexible substrate. 
     
     
         46 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 45 , wherein the inflatable body is disposed near a distal end of a catheter. 
     
     
         47 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 45 , further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the flexible annular interconnect. 
     
     
         48 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 45 , wherein the inflatable body is a balloon. 
     
     
         49 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 48 , wherein the balloon is cylindrical, onion-shaped, cone-shaped, dog-bone-shaped, barrel-shaped. 
     
     
         50 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible annular interconnect comprises at least one intermediate bus for electronically connecting each electrode with an electrical source. 
     
     
         51 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible annular interconnect has a serpentine morphology. 
     
     
         52 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , further comprising a flexible substrate forming an inflatable body coupled to the flexible annular interconnect. 
     
     
         53 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible annular interconnect has a T-configuration or an annular ring structure. 
     
     
         54 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , wherein the flexible annular interconnect has a T-configuration or an annular ring structure. 
     
     
         55 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 39 , further comprising an encapsulation material disposed over at least a portion of the flexible annular interconnect. 
     
     
         56 . The stretchable electronic system of  claim 53 , wherein the encapsulation material comprises a polyurethane. 
     
     
         57 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A stretchable electronic system comprising:
 a flexible interconnect; and   a plurality of impedance based electrode pairs coupled to the flexible interconnect, wherein the electrode pairs measures impedance between two electrodes of the electrode pair.   
     
     
         61 . (canceled)