COSIT07: Conference in Spatial Information Theory

Apparatus and methods are provided for mapping an interior surface of a section of a body lumen comprising a catheter having a plurality of elements circumferentially disposed around its distal end that contact the interior surface of a body lumen and provide output signals corresponding to the local diameter of the lumen. In a preferred embodiment, the contacts are of an electrical-mechanical type, such that an output signal may be generated which is proportional to the degree of deflection of the contact caused by the local diameter of the body lumen. The distal end of the catheter is translated through the body lumen for a predetermined distance, while the output signals are reproduced on either an analog recorder or as a digital three-dimensional display. A drive system for translating the catheter, and methods of use, are also provided.