Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2002-04-16
Lacyk, John P. (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Measuring anatomical characteristic or force applied to or...
C273S445000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06371931
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for testing reflexes, reaction time and range of mobility for patients or users and, more particularly, to a system for automated testing and data recording for use by physicians, physical therapists and trainers.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A number of reaction testing devices have been employed in games for amusement and for diagnostic testing of physical acuity, reaction time and dexterity.
NASA has used reaction testing for measurement of “simple” and “disjunctive” responses to light stimuli, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,385, to Low et al., in which a base includes two parallel finger grooves with sensors. The subject observes “ready”, “left” and “right” light indicators and responds by placing a finger in a selected groove where the finger's presence is sensed, a test which provides a raw count of the number of clock cycles required for a given individual to correctly respond to the “left” or “right” light stimulus.
Others have used systems with similar electrical circuits to provide specific kinds of occupational training (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,849 to Casey and U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,389 to Keller), and dancing (as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,341). But none of these devices is readily used in a comprehensive regimen of physical therapy for testing a patient's reflexes and/or range of mobility. A physician, physical therapist, trainer, or occupational therapist requires a way to provide a meaningful examination of a patient's capabilities and to determine how the patient's capabilities are changing as therapy progresses.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to measure, store and display the reaction time required for a patient to touch, press or manipulate an object at an indicated location.
It is also an object of the present invention to measure, store and display the reaction time required for a patient to move a selected object from a first indicated location to a second indicated location.
Another object of the present invention is measuring the range of motion for the patient's shoulders, arms, fingers, feet, ankles, knees, hips and back.
Another object of the present invention is to store and display trend data on the improvement, or lack thereof, for a given patient's reflexes, reaction time, dexterity, eye-hand coordination, and range of motion, over a course of therapy.
The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
In accordance with the present invention, a response measuring system for measuring the time required for a user (e.g., a patient) to respond to a prompting event includes a controller or computer connected to a plurality of annunciator driving outputs and a plurality of sensor input receivers. The controller also includes a timer responsive to both annunciator driving outputs and sensor input receivers; a controller memory stores response times. The annunciators can be lights or tactile vibrating stimulators for cuing or prompting the user into responding. The sensors, in general terms, sense the user's response and the timer is used to measure the interval required for the user to respond. The system includes a support member or housing for carrying and positioning the sensors and annunciators for a given experiment.
In a first embodiment of the reflex measuring system of the present invention, a housing includes a first area adapted to receive a left hand and, optionally, a second area adapted to receive a right hand; subareas are designated for each finger. The finger subareas in the first and second areas each include a vibrotactile stimulator, a button actuated microswitch (or reset button) and, preferably, just beyond each finger subarea, a light emitting diode (LED) or other light source visibly positioned for indicating which finger is to be flexed and depressed in responding to the stimulus. The stimulus comprises actuation of the selected LED light source, actuation of the selected vibrotactile stimulator, or both. Once the user sees the LED or feels the vibrotactile stimulator actuated under a selected finger, the user immediately depresses the appropriate reset button. The controller then senses the amount of time elapsed between actuation of the selected light indicator (or vibrotactile annunciator) and sensing of the user's correct response. A test pattern (for recording) or an exercise pattern (not to be recorded) may be performed and testing can be divided into two areas. The patient can be tested to determine whether response is faster for what is seen (e.g., the LED) or what is felt (e.g., the vibrotactile stimulator). The timer (or clock) is activated immediately upon lighting of the LED indicator or activating of the finger vibrotactile stimulator and is stopped upon pressing of the indicated reset button. After completion of the test, the reaction time measurements may be plotted to show the results using the computer display or an attached printer.
In a second embodiment, a vertical panel includes a plurality of pegs of various readily distinguishable sizes and shapes are arranged in a plurality of columns to the left and right of a central area. Alternatively, the panel can lie in a horizontal orientation or can be adjustably tilted to a selected angle. The number of columns and pegs per column are selectable to satisfy the requirements of a given application, and preferably, the pegs are color coded. Preferably, on the left, first, second and third columns each contain seven shapes stored within vertically arrayed pockets; the shapes can be, for example, a small circle, a large circle, a rectangle, a diamond, a triangle, a square and a star. Each shape is a “peg” or test object which can be removed from a holder or pocket in selected one of the columns and placed in a specified corresponding receiving aperture (having the same shape and, preferably, color) within the central area. Each receiving aperture includes an annunciator or indicator (e.g., an LED) and a sensor to detect the presence of the test object. Preferably, three columns are arranged to one side (e.g., the left) of the central area with three columns arranged to the opposing side (e.g., the right), thereby allowing the user to demonstrate a range of motion in reaching outwardly, to opposing sides (e.g., left or right), to the outer columns, as well as reaching up or down, within a column. In use, the selected test object is illuminated using an LED annunciator, thereby starting the timer. The user or patient immediately grasps the test object and removes it from the holder in the starting column, moves the object and then inserts it into a corresponding indicated aperture in the central area, thereby triggering a sensor in the receiving aperture. The timer measures the time required for the patient to complete the operation.
The peg board includes an instruction display for displaying the message “move star from left bank column
2
, to lighted star position in center bank” (citing a single example). The time required for the patient to perform this operation is measured and recorded; in addition, the system measures and records how long the message was displayed and the time used for the user to return the ‘test hand’ back to the starting position. Preferably, results for a minimum of three trials are recorded. The system also has the capability of running a test pattern and a random practice or exercise pattern.
In a third embodiment, the system includes a housing having a substantially hemispherical interior surface preferably including several dozen lighted buttons. The hemispherical system is intended for use in therapeutic centers as well as athletic training facilities. Each lighted button includes an annunciator light and a sensor microswitch for
Lacyk John P.
Marmor II Charles
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