Non-invasive method for determining kinematic movement of the cervical spine

Claim 2

A non-invasive 3-D method for determining the kinematic function of the cervical spine of a human patient, comprising the steps of: a. positioning recordable, detectable marker means onto the head of the patient; b. using a target or instructional means to guide the patient through spatial head movements; c. recording the positions of said marker means as the patient moves his head in response to said target or instructional means; d. processing the recorded positions of the marker means by a 3-D analysis means to yield 3-D information of the marker means; e. processing the 3-D information of the marker means by a mathematical rigid body analysis means to derive screw axis parameters of the patient's head which define a 3-D instantaneous rotation of the patient's head and, optionally, a finite axis of rotation of the patient's head; f. using the axis of rotation of said patient's head as a measure of cervical kinematic function during head movements; and g. comparing the derived head axis of rotation for said patient either with a head axis of rotation for predetermined, standardized data to ascertain any discrepancy or with a previously derived head axis of rotation for said patient to identify changes.

Claim 3

A non-invasive 3-D method for determining the kinematic function of the cervical spine of a human patient, comprising the steps of: a. positioning recordable, detectable marker means onto the head of a patient; b. using a target or instructional means to guide the patient through spatial head movements; c. recording the positions of said marker means as the patient moves his head in response to the target or instructional means; d. storing the recorded positions of the marker means for processing to derive a 3-D instantaneous and/or finite axis of rotation of the patient's head. e. processing the stored, recorded positions of the marker means by a mathematical rigid body analysis means to derive screw axis parameters of the patient's head which defines a 3-D instantaneous rotation of the patient's head and, optionally, a finite axis of rotation of the patient's head; f. using the axis of rotation of said patient's head as a measure of cervical kinematic function during head movements; and g. comparing the derived head axis of rotation for said patient either with a head axis of rotation for predetermined, standardized data to ascertain any discrepancy of with a previously derived head axis of rotation for said patient to identify changes.

Claim 4

A non-invasive 3-D method for determining the kinematic function of the cervical spine of a human patient, comprising the steps of: a. positioning recordable, detectable marker means onto the head of a patient; b. using a target or instructional means to guide the patient through spatial head movements; c. recording the positions of said marker means as the patient moves his head in response to the target or instructional means; d. storing the recorded positions of the marker means for processing to derive a 3-D instantaneous and/or finite axis of rotation of the patient's head. e. processing the stored, recorded positions of the marker means by a mathematical rigid body analysis means to derive screw axis parameters of the patient's head which defines a 3-D instantaneous rotation of the patient's head and, optionally, a finite axis of rotation of the patient's head; f. using the axis of rotation of said patient's head as a measure of cervical kinematic function during head movements; and g. comparing the derived head axis of rotation for said patient either with a head axis of rotation for predetermined, standardized data to ascertain any discrepancy of with a previously derived head axis of rotation for said patient to identify changes.