Patent US5022407A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5022407A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for automated tactile testing
Assignee: Topical Testing Inc
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Filing: 1990-01-24
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Granted: 1991-06-11
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Expires: 2010-01-24
Abstract
Abstract An automatic apparatus for testing tactile responses of a patient is disclosed. The embodiments of the invention variously include components for: applying a nonambient temperature to the patient's skin to test the patient's response to thermal stimuli; pricking the patient's skin to test the patient's response to pain; indenting the patient's skin to test the patient's response to touch; vibrating the patient's skin to test the patient's response to vibration; and for making two spaced apart contacts with the patient's skin to test the patient's two point discrimination response. A general purpose computer and dedicated control circuits function to control the operation of the system and record the responses of the patient. The embodiments of the present invention are able to repeatedly reproduce each test so that the tests carried out are reproducible and accomplished in a minimum of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Horch
- 👤 John H. Fisher
- 👤 Barry L. Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/48; A61B5/4824; A61B5/0048; A61B5/0051; A61B5/40; A61B5/4029; A61B5/4041; A61B5/4827; A61B5/483
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising; first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for accurately controlling the amplitude and time course of stimulus administered by operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means such that stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course are administered; and computer means for recording the patient's responses to said first and the second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient and for generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient's response to said stimuli.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising; first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for accurately controlling the amplitude and time course of stimulus administered by operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means such that stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course are administered; and computer means for recording the patient's responses to said first and the second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient and for generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient's response to said stimuli.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 1 wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises temperature means for applying a nonambient temperature to the patient's skin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 2 wherein the means for applying a nonambient temperature to the patient's skin comprises a resistive heating element and a therminstor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 3 wherein the control means comprises a temperature control circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 1 wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises pinprick means for pricking the patient's skin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 5 wherein the pinprick means comprises a constant torque motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 6 wherein the control means comprises a torque motor control circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 1 wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises indentation means for indenting the patient's skin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 8 wherein the indentation means comprises a galvanometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 9 wherein the control means comprises a galvanometer amplifier circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 1 wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises vibration means for vibrating the patient's skin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 11 wherein the vibration means comprises a galvanometer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 12 wherein the control means comprises a galvanometer amplifier circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 1 wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises touch discrimination means for making two spaced apart contacts with the patient's skin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 14 wherein the touch discrimination means comprises a galvanometer and a servo motor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 15 wherein the control means comprises a galvanometer amplifier circuit and a servo motor amplifier circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 1 wherein the control means comprises a general purpose computing machine.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising: temperature means for applying a nonambient temperature to the patient's skin; pinprick means for pricking the patient's skin; indentation means for indenting the patient's skin; vibration means for vibrating the patient's skin; discrimination means for making two spaced apart contacts with the patient's skin; control means for controlling the operation of the temperature means, the pinprick means, the indentation means, the vibration means, and the discrimination means. computer means for recording the patinet's responses to said temperature means, pinprick means, indentation means, vibration means, and discrimination means and for generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient's responses to said stimuli.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising: temperature means for applying a nonambient temperature to the patient's skin; pinprick means for pricking the patient's skin; indentation means for indenting the patient's skin; vibration means for vibrating the patient's skin; discrimination means for making two spaced apart contacts with the patient's skin; control means for controlling the operation of the temperature means, the pinprick means, the indentation means, the vibration means, and the discrimination means. computer means for recording the patinet's responses to said temperature means, pinprick means, indentation means, vibration means, and discrimination means and for generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient's responses to said stimuli.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising: at least one tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for accurately controlling the amplitude of stimulus administered by operation of the at least one stimulation means, such that stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude are administered; means for recording the patient's responses to the stimuli; and computer means for generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient's responses to the stimuli such that a predetermined set of data can be collected.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising: at least one tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for accurately controlling the amplitude of stimulus administered by operation of the at least one stimulation means, such that stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude are administered; means for recording the patient's responses to the stimuli; and computer means for generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient's responses to the stimuli such that a predetermined set of data can be collected.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising; first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient comprising means for pricking the patient's skin, said means for pricking the skin comprising a constant torque motor; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for controlling the operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means; and means for recording the patient's responses to the first and the second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising; first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient comprising means for pricking the patient's skin, said means for pricking the skin comprising a constant torque motor; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for controlling the operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means; and means for recording the patient's responses to the first and the second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 20 further comprising a linkage capable of translating the rotary motion of the motor into linear motion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 20 wherein the second tactile stimulation means comprises vibration means for vibrating the patient's skin.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising; first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient, wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises touch discrimination means for making two spaced apart contacts with the patient's skin comprising a galvanometer and a servo motor; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for controlling the operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means; and means for recording the patient's responses to the first and the second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising; first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient, wherein the first tactile stimulation means comprises touch discrimination means for making two spaced apart contacts with the patient's skin comprising a galvanometer and a servo motor; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for controlling the operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means; and means for recording the patient's responses to the first and the second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient as defined in claim 23 wherein the control means comprises a galvanometer amplifier circuit and a servo motor amplifier circuit.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising: first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for accurately controlling the amplitude and time course of stimulus administered by operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means, such that stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course are administered; and computer means for recording the patient's responses to the first and second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for automatically testing the tactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising: first tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient; control means for accurately controlling the amplitude and time course of stimulus administered by operation of the first tactile stimulation means and the second tactile stimulation means, such that stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course are administered; and computer means for recording the patient's responses to the first and second tactile stimulation means for cutaneous stimulation of the patient.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-10 | 1994-12-10 | 1995-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-10 | 1998-12-10 | 1999-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-10 | 2002-12-10 | 2003-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |