Device for measuring a pressure differential

Abstract

A device for measuring a pressure differential comprises a tube, at least one pressure sensor and a processor. The tube comprises a closed insertion portion for insertion into a body, the insertion portion having an insertion end and an internal bore in communication with ambient pressure via an opening in the tube. The sensor is located in or on the insertion portion and comprises an internally facing region in communication with the bore and an externally facing region in communication with an exterior of the tube. The processor is configured to provide a stimulus, which may be an electrical stimulus, to the pressure sensor so that when the stimulus is provided, the pressure sensor provides a measurable response wherein the processor correlates the response with the pressure differential between the exterior of the tube and the bore. The measurable response may be indicative of a change in pressure differential between the exterior of the tube and the bore. There may be a plurality of pressure sensors, in which case at least two of the sensors may have different resonant frequencies at the same pressure differential. The insertion portion may comprise at least one aperture sealed by at least one pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may comprise an electromechanical or micro-electromechanical material and may comprises a piezoelectric and/or electrocapacitive sensor. The externally facing region of the pressure sensor may comprise a coating, which may be electrically insulative.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.