A disclosed method determines fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromisingthe integrity of the vessel. A sensor is positioned in operative communicationwith the external wall of the vessel such that expansion of the external wall ofthe vessel exerts a force against the sensor that is directed substantially radiallyoutward with respect to the vessel. A substantially radially inward force iscaused to be directed against the sensor in response to the substantially radiallyoutward force exerted by the external vessel wall. The sensor can thus be usedto detect the magnitude of the substantially radially outward force. A disclosedapparatus determines fluid pressure inside a vessel without compromising theintegrity of the vessel. The apparatus includes a sensor and a band operativelyassociated with the sensor and configured to at least partially encircle thevessel so as to retain the sensor in operative communication against the externalwall of the vessel.
