Surgery – Truss – Pad
Patent
1983-12-16
1986-05-06
Howell, Kyle L.
Surgery
Truss
Pad
A61B 510
Patent
active
045865159
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a national phase application of PCT/AT83/00009 filed Apr. 15, 1983 and based upon an Austrian application A 1485/82 filed Apr. 16, 1982 under the International Convention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for measuring the position and/or motion of a body part, i.e. at least its rotation relative to another body part, consisting of a holder to be connected with the body part, a space-referenced supporting device for the holder and a measuring system consisting of measuring sensors for detecting the rotary movements of the holder with reference to the supporting device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For examinations, especially in fields of orthopedics and neuro-orthopedics which deal with functional disorders of the motor system, it is important to determine by measurement and to evaluate diagnostically certain positions and movements of body parts. For example, conclusions as to the function of the cervical portion of the spine and the upper dorsal column are possible through registration of the position and motion of the head. Functional disorders of these spinal regions are the most common cause for aches of the upper torso, arms and head. Even though static analyses can be carried out with present-day examination procedures (X-ray, scanning, etc.), an examination of the dynamics and function of the spine is only very limitedly realizable. Both the technique of this procedure and the radiation exposure set narrow limits for functional tests of the spine. A three-dimensional recording of the position of the head is possible with optical checking processes (film, video), but only with utilization of complex machinery and for specific functions.
For measuring head movements, there has already been made known (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,161,846 and 3,290,935) a device of the kind initially set forth which, however, is not suited for diagnostic purposes since the free mobility of the head is excessively restricted so that diagnostically significant final positions of the head movements and rapid movements are not detectable. Furthermore, the known device does not give the physician access to the head to the extent necessary for diagnostic purposes.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an improved device for measuring the position and/or motion of the head or other body parts which satisfies the diagnostic requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is achieved in accordance with the invention in that the holder is connected with the supporting device by means of a single articulated linkage in the region of which the measuring system is also disposed.
The invention is based upon the realization that, especially for the functional examination of the cervical portion of the spine and upper dorsal column, essential diagnostic data can be derived from the measurement of the rotation of the head. But also in other cases rotary movements of certain body parts, e.g. of the upper arm, the hand, the foot etc., may provide useful diagnostic information in a space-oriented coordinate system. The device according to the invention conforms to the diagnostic requirements especially in that it guarantees the freest possible mobility of the body part to be measured, with low mass inertia, in order to enable the detection of rapid movements as well as of the final positions of the body part and also to avoid those reactions of the measuring device upon the motion of the body part which may cause reflectionally induced changes of motion and thereby falsify the diagnostic results of the measurement. Besides, the physician's access to the body part, which may become sometimes necessary during the measuring procedure, is insured in that the connection between the holder and the supporting device is practically concentrated in single point (namely, that of the one articulated linkage).
Preferably the articulated linkage between the holder and the supporting device is effected through the measuring system i
REFERENCES:
patent: 3290985 (1966-12-01), Bains et al.
patent: 3664731 (1972-05-01), Jex
patent: 3769636 (1973-11-01), Friedman
patent: 4306571 (1981-12-01), McLeod
patent: 4320766 (1982-03-01), Alihanka et al.
"A Variable Axis Electrogoniometer for the Measurement of Single Plane Movement", by J. Tata et al, J. Biomechanics, vol. 11, pp. 421-425.
Dubno Herbert
Howell Kyle L.
Ross Karl F.
Shay David
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