Method and apparatus for endoscopic measurement of myoelectrical activity from the stomach and other hollow intra-abdominal organs

A method of obtaining myoelectric activity from an intra-abdominal body organ having an internal cavity and a lining, the method including steps of:

• providing catheter structure including an elongated tube structure having distal and proximal ends and an axis, electrodes associated with the tube structure and being constructed and arranged to be moved from a retracted position substantially within the tube structure to an extended position extended directly outwardly from the distal end of the tube structure and generally in the direction of the axis, the electrodes being constructed and arranged to obtain signals relating to myoelectrical activity of an intra-abdominal organ of a patient, and actuating structure operatively associated with the electrodes to move the electrodes between the extended and retracted positions,
• inserting the tube structure into the internal cavity of the organ, with the electrodes being in a retracted position with respect to a the distal end of the tube structure,
• moving the actuating structure to move the electrodes to the extended position to impinge on the lining of the organ,
• providing a respiration sensor to monitor respiration of the patient, recording signals from the electrodes indicative of myoelectrical activity of the organ, and
• recording signals from the respiration sensor while the signals from the electrodes are being recorded.