Weight-based calibration system for a pressure sensitive catheter

A calibration apparatus, comprising:

• a fixture, which is coupled to hold a distal end of a medical probe;
• a plurality of weights, each having a respective mass and a respective bottom surface that is oriented at a respective angle with respect to the distal end of the probe, each capable of being coupled to rest the entire mass of the weight on a distal tip of the probe so as to apply to the distal tip a respective force vector that causes a deformation of the distal tip relative to the distal end wherein the plurality of weights comprises different masses and different bottom surface angles including oblique bottom surface angles;
• and
• a calibration processor, which is configured to receive measurements from the probe wherein the measurements are indicative of the deformation of the distal tip in response to the force vectors, and wherein the calibration processor computes a set of calibration coefficients based on the measurements and the respective mass and the respective bottom surface angle for each of the plurality of weights.