US5275174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Repetitive strain injury assessment
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-07-16
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Granted: 1994-01-04
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Expires: 2012-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A method is described of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is moveable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction. The method includes the steps of fixing the first body portion with a stationary support, restraining the second body portion with a sleeve capable of motion within a plane, applying a first selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve, and contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane. The rate of change of position of the second body portion is then measured during a plurality of contracting steps. Subsequently, a second selected level of resistance is applied to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve, the muscle is again contracted in a maximal effort, and a second rate of change of position of the second body portion is measured. A system for assessment of the physiological state of a body joint is also described, including a stationary support to fix the first body portion, a sleeve to receive the second body portion and providing at least first and second levels of constant resistance to relative movement within the plane, and a device for measuring rate of change of position upon maximal exertion.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan A. Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/389; A61B5/22; A61B5/224; A61B5/45; A61B5/4528
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A method of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: fixing the first body portion by a stationary support; restraining the second body portion by a sleeve capable of motion within a plane, said plane being defined by a motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and the second body portion being connected to the first body portion by at least one muscle; applying a first selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve so as to constrain relative movement within the plane, the relative movement being effected by the muscle; contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane; measuring a rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps; applying a second selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve so as to constrain relative movement within the plane, the relative movement being effected by the muscle; contracting the muscle in a maximal effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane; and measuring a second rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
A method of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: fixing the first body portion by a stationary support; restraining the second body portion by a sleeve capable of motion within a plane, said plane being defined by a motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and the second body portion being connected to the first body portion by at least one muscle; applying a first selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve so as to constrain relative movement within the plane, the relative movement being effected by the muscle; contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane; measuring a rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps; applying a second selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve which is constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve so as to constrain relative movement within the plane, the relative movement being effected by the muscle; contracting the muscle in a maximal effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane; and measuring a second rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first body portion is a human forearm and the second body portion is a human hand.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the muscle comprises at least one agonist muscle and at least one antagonist muscle capable of producing the maximum relative movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining over a preselected time period the level of electrical activity generated by the muscle during the step of connecting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of comparing the level of electrical activity generated by the muscle to the rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the step of comparing the level of electrical activity to the rate of change of position is performed at a selected medial body portion position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising comparing the level of electrical activity and the rate of change of position obtained from a test subject with a normal reference level and rate obtained from matched reference subjects.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the matched reference subjects are of similar age, sex and height.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: fixing the first body portion by a stationary support; restraining the second body portion by a sleeve capable of motion within a plane, said plane being defined by a motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and the second body portion being connected to the first body portion by at least one muscle; applying a selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve so as to constrain relative movement within the plane, the relative movement being effected by the muscle; contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane; determining over a preselected time period the level of electrical activity generated by the muscle during the step of contracting; recording a background level of electrical activity produced by a muscular action that is unrelated to movement of the second body portion about the pivot point of the joint; subtracting the background level of electrical activity from the level of electrical activity generated by the muscle during the step of contracting; and measuring a rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: fixing the first body portion by a stationary support; restraining the second body portion by a sleeve capable of motion within a plane, said plane being defined by a motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and the second body portion being connected to the first body portion by at least one muscle; applying a selected level of resistance to the motion of the sleeve so as to constrain relative movement within the plane, the relative movement being effected by the muscle; contracting the muscle in an effort to produce maximum relative movement within the plane; determining over a preselected time period the level of electrical activity generated by the muscle during the step of contracting; recording a background level of electrical activity produced by a muscular action that is unrelated to movement of the second body portion about the pivot point of the joint; subtracting the background level of electrical activity from the level of electrical activity generated by the muscle during the step of contracting; and measuring a rate of change of position of the second body portion within the plane during a plurality of contracting steps.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: a stationary support to fix the first body portion; a sleeve to receive the second body portion, said sleeve being capable of motion within a plane defined by motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and providing at least first and second levels of resistance to relative movement within the plane which are constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve; and means for measuring a rate of change of position of the sleeve within the plane upon maximal exertion at the first and second levels of resistance, whereby the physiological status of the body joint may be assessed.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: a stationary support to fix the first body portion; a sleeve to receive the second body portion, said sleeve being capable of motion within a plane defined by motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and providing at least first and second levels of resistance to relative movement within the plane which are constant regardless of the force applied to the sleeve; and means for measuring a rate of change of position of the sleeve within the plane upon maximal exertion at the first and second levels of resistance, whereby the physiological status of the body joint may be assessed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the measuring means comprises means for recording a rate of change of position of the sleeve within the plane, said change of position achieved by motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising means for measuring a level of electrical activity generated by the muscular contraction producing motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the measuring means comprises means for recording a rate of change of position of the sleeve within the plane, said change of position being achieved by motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 further comprising means for selection of different levels of constant resistance to relative movement within the plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the sleeve is rotatably connected to a rotor shaft having an axis of rotation substantially coincident to a pivot point of the body joint.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: a stationary support to fix the first body portion; a sleeve to receive the second body portion, said sleeve capable of motion within a plane defined by motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and capable of providing a constant resistance to relative movement within the plane; means for measuring a level of electrical activity generated by the muscular contraction producing motion of the second body portion about a pivot of the joint; means for recording a background level of electrical activity produced by a muscle contraction that is unrelated to movement of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint; and means for measuring a rate of change of position of the sleeve within the plane, whereby the physiological status of the body joint may be assessed.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for assessment of a physiological state of a body joint of an animal, wherein a first body portion is connected to a second body portion and is movable relative to the second body portion through muscular contraction, which comprises: a stationary support to fix the first body portion; a sleeve to receive the second body portion, said sleeve capable of motion within a plane defined by motion of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint and capable of providing a constant resistance to relative movement within the plane; means for measuring a level of electrical activity generated by the muscular contraction producing motion of the second body portion about a pivot of the joint; means for recording a background level of electrical activity produced by a muscle contraction that is unrelated to movement of the second body portion about a pivot point of the joint; and means for measuring a rate of change of position of the sleeve within the plane, whereby the physiological status of the body joint may be assessed.
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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) | 1997-01-03 | 1997-07-05 | 1998-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-03 | 2001-07-05 | 2002-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-03 | 2005-07-05 | 2006-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |