Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
Apparatus for determining the mobility classification of a skeletal joint, comprising a member (2d,2e) made of a material (2) which is both elastomeric (9) and electrically conductive (10) having an electrical resistance which varies with elastic extension and contraction of the member (2d,2e), positioning means (5,6) on the member (2d,2e) for positioning the member (2d,2e) at a joint (12) to be tested such that movement of the joint (12) elastically extends and contracts the elastic member (2d,2e) whereby the electrical resistance of the member (2d,2e) is varied, characterised by the combination of a resistance-sensitive electrical network (14), conductor means (7,8) connected to said member (2d,2e) and interconnecting said member (2d,2e) with said electrical network (14) to provide an electrical output from said network (14) which varies, in use, with movement of the joint (12) under test, an analogue-to-digital converter (14b) connected to said electrical network (14) for digitising the electrical output thereof, identifying means (18,19,41) connected to the output of the converter (14b) for identifying from the digital data thereby provided at least one characteristic of the joint (12) under test, memory means (44) pre-programmed with digital information representing at least said one characteristic of a plurality of known skeletal joints, comparator means (42) connected to said memory means (44) and to said identifying means (18,19,41) and arranged to compare at least said one characteristic of the joint (12) under test with that of the known skeletal joints, and output means (43) connected to the comparator means (42) for presenting a comparison result of identity as indicative of the mobility classification in respect of said one characteristic of the joint (12) under test.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
Apparatus for determining the mobility classification of a skeletal joint, comprising a member (2d,2e) made of a material (2) which is both elastomeric (9) and electrically conductive (10) having an electrical resistance which varies with elastic extension and contraction of the member (2d,2e), positioning means (5,6) on the member (2d,2e) for positioning the member (2d,2e) at a joint (12) to be tested such that movement of the joint (12) elastically extends and contracts the elastic member (2d,2e) whereby the electrical resistance of the member (2d,2e) is varied, characterised by the combination of a resistance-sensitive electrical network (14), conductor means (7,8) connected to said member (2d,2e) and interconnecting said member (2d,2e) with said electrical network (14) to provide an electrical output from said network (14) which varies, in use, with movement of the joint (12) under test, an analogue-to-digital converter (14b) connected to said electrical network (14) for digitising the electrical output thereof, identifying means (18,19,41) connected to the output of the converter (14b) for identifying from the digital data thereby provided at least one characteristic of the joint (12) under test, memory means (44) pre-programmed with digital information representing at least said one characteristic of a plurality of known skeletal joints, comparator means (42) connected to said memory means (44) and to said identifying means (18,19,41) and arranged to compare at least said one characteristic of the joint (12) under test with that of the known skeletal joints, and output means (43) connected to the comparator means (42) for presenting a comparison result of identity as indicative of the mobility classification in respect of said one characteristic of the joint (12) under test.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the digital information with which said memory means (44) is pre-programmed is relative to predetermined amplitude and time scales, and said identifying means (18,19,41) includes normalising means (19,41) from which said at least one characteristic of the joint (12) under test is identified on said predetermined amplitude and time scales.