Pressure sensing catheter

A pressure sensing catheter comprising:

• a multi-lumen tubular catheter body comprising an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen extending longitudinally within the outer wall of the catheter body, and a second lumen adjacent to the first lumen and extending longitudinally within the outer wall of the catheter body, each of the first lumen and the second lumen comprising a proximal end opening positioned at the proximal end of the catheter body and a distal end opening positioned at the distal end of the catheter body;
• and
• a tip portion positioned distal of the distal end of the catheter body and comprising an outer wall and a tip lumen within the outer wall, the tip lumen comprising a first end opening fluidly coupled to the distal end opening of the first lumen and a second end opening fluidly coupled to the distal end opening of the second lumen, the first lumen and the second lumen in fluid communication with one another through the tip lumen, the tip portion being responsive to an external pressure applied to the outer wall of the tip portion.

A method for determining an external pressure exerted on a pressure sensing catheter, the method comprising:

• supplying a fluid to the catheter, the catheter comprising a catheter body and a tip portion extending distally from the catheter body, the fluid flowing distally through a first lumen within the catheter body to the tip portion, through a tip lumen within the tip portion, and proximally through a second lumen within the catheter body adjacent to the first lumen;
• and
• determining the external pressure exerted on the tip portion based on a pressure of the fluid supplied to the catheter and a flow rate of the fluid through the catheter.