Patent US873321A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5086779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Back analysis system
Assignee: Boston University
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Filing: 1990-05-30
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2010-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A muscle function analysis system including a base; a restraint device supported by the base and shaped and arranged to receive and immobilize a human body portion retaining a muscle group concurrently activatable to produce a body function; and a support apparatus supported by the base and shaped and arranged to support other portions of the body, the support apparatus adapted to substantially isolate activity in the muscle group from muscle activity in the other body portions. Also included are an electrode array adapted for coupling to the muscle group so as to receive myoelectric signals generated by muscle activity therein and a processing system coupled to the electrode array and adapted to process the myoelectric signals. By isolating muscle activity in a particular muscle group, more useful data is obtained for evaluating muscle dysfunction in the group.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlo J. DeLuca
- 👤 L. Donald Gilmore
- 👤 Serge H. Roy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:15
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/389; A61B5/22; A61B5/224
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A muscle function analysis system comprising: base means; restraint means supported by said base means and shaped and arranged to receive and immobilize one portion of a human body, said one portion retaining a muscle group concurrently activatable to produce a body function and said restraint means comprising mold means shaped to conform to said one portion; support means supported by said base means and shaped and arranged to support other portions of the body, said support means adapted to substantially isolate activity in said muscle group from muscle activity in said other portions of the body; electrode means adapted for coupling to said muscle group so as to receive myoelectric signals generated by muscle activity therein; and processing means coupled to said electrode means and adapted to process said myoelectric signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A muscle function analysis system comprising: base means; restraint means supported by said base means and shaped and arranged to receive and immobilize one portion of a human body, said one portion retaining a muscle group concurrently activatable to produce a body function and said restraint means comprising mold means shaped to conform to said one portion; support means supported by said base means and shaped and arranged to support other portions of the body, said support means adapted to substantially isolate activity in said muscle group from muscle activity in said other portions of the body; electrode means adapted for coupling to said muscle group so as to receive myoelectric signals generated by muscle activity therein; and processing means coupled to said electrode means and adapted to process said myoelectric signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 1 wherein said one portion comprises a body joint, said muscle group is activatable to produce torque controlling the position of said joint, and said restraint means establishes a predetermined angular orientation of said joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 2 wherein said muscle group comprises a synergistic muscle group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 3 wherein said one portion of a human body is the pelvis, and said joint is between the pelvis and the torso.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 4 wherein said mold means comprises plural molds adapted to envelop the hip, upper thigh, buttocks and anterior pelvic regions of the body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 5 wherein said mold means further comprises adjustable connector means for selectively fixing the relative positions between said plural molds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 4 wherein said restraint device is adapted to permit establishment of an adjustable posterior pelvic tilt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 7 wherein said support means comprises knee support means for supporting knees and foot support means for supporting feet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 8 wherein said knee support means is adapted to maintain the body's knee joints in flexion, and said foot support means is adapted to maintain the body's ankle joints in plantarflexion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 4 including force constraint means supported by said base means and adapted to engage and prevent movement of the body's torso during extension thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 10 wherein said constraint means comprises a flexible strap adapted to engage the body's back.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 10 wherein said restraint device is adapted to permit establishment of an adjustable posterior pelvic tilt.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 12 wherein said support means comprises knee support means for supporting knees and foot support means for supporting feet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 13 wherein said knee support means is adapted to maintain the body's knee joints in flexion, and said foot support means is adapted to maintain the body's ankle joints in plantarflexion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 6 wherein said base means comprises a substantially vertical standard portion and a pedestal portion adapted to support the body's feet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 15 wherein said restraint means comprises a first coupling providing a given spacing between said standard portion and an upper portion of said mold means and a second coupling providing a predetermined spacing between said standard portion and a lower portion of said mold means, and said given spacing is greater than said predetermined spacing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 16 wherein said restraint means comprises adjustment means for selectively adjusting said predetermined spacing relative to said given spacing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
51 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 16 wherein said support means comprises knee support means supported by said standard portion and defining knee support surfaces for supporting the body's knees and forming an acute angle with said standard portion so as to maintain the body's knee joints in flexion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 18 wherein said support means further comprises a foot support surface supported by said pedestal portion and inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal so as to maintain the body's ankle joints in plantarflexion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 19 including force constraint means supported by said standard portion and adapted to engage and prevent movement of the body's torso during extension thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 20 wherein said constraint means comprises a flexible strap adapted to engage the body's back.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A muscle function analysis system according to claim 21 wherein said constraint means, said knee support means, and said restraint means are vertically adjustable on said standard portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |