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 - 56 . (canceled) 
     
     
         57 . A system for mapping contact with a surface, the system comprising:
 an inflatable body;   a plurality of electrodes coupled to the inflatable body;   an electronic display electrically coupled to the plurality of electrodes, the electronic display providing a visual representation of the spatial location of the plurality of electrodes on the inflatable body, the electronic display changing a visual attribute of an electrode in the plurality of electrodes in response to a change in an electrical signal produced by the electrode, and the change in the electrical signal identifying a contact condition of the electrode with respect to the surface.   
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the visual attribute is a binary representation 
     
     
         59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the visual attribute is a quantitative representation. 
     
     
         60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . (canceled)