US5337758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spine motion analyzer and method
Assignee: ORTHOPEDIC SERVICES Inc A CORP OF CALIFORNIA
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Filing: 1991-01-11
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Granted: 1994-08-16
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Expires: 2011-01-11
Abstract
Abstract Spine motion analyzer and method in which a self-aligning measurement linkage is attached to the subject above and below the portion of the spine in which motion is to be monitored. Mounts are provided for attaching the ends of the linkage in fixed positions near the sacrum, beneath the scapulae, and on the head for monitoring either lumbar motion or cervical motion. The linkage has a plurality of arms which move relative to each other in accordance with movement of the spine between the points to which the linkage is attached, and transducers connected to the linkage arms provide electrical signals which can be processed to provide video, printed and/or auditory indications of the spinal movements. One embodiment, which is particularly adapted for sports testing such as golf swing analysis includes a transducer such as a gyroscope which permits measurements to be taken with respect to an absolute or fixed reference such as the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Moore
- 👤 Steve R. Lamb
- 👤 Larry W. Lamoreux
- 👤 Michael H. McTeigue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:36
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B23/00; A63B23/02; A63B23/0244; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1116; A61B5/1121; A61B5/1126; A61B2503/00; A61B2503/10; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0219; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6823; A61B5/683; A61B5/6831; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/10; A63B2220/13; A63B23/0233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In a system for analyzing spinal motion of a subject: a linkage having a plurality of arms movable relative to each other in accordance with spinal motion of the subject, at least one potentiometer having an input shaft connected to one of the linkage arms and an electrical resistance which varies in accordance with the position of the shaft, an analog-to-digital converter connected electrically to the potentiometer for providing digital data corresponding to the position of the potentiometer shaft, means for storing a calibration factor corresponding to data produced by the analog-to-digital converter when a calibration voltage is applied to the potentiometer, means for applying a reference voltage to the potentiometer to produce spinal motion data from the analog-to-digital converter corresponding to the spinal motion of the subject, and means for combining the calibration factor with the spinal motion data to provide a spinal motion signal which is substantially independent of differences between the calibration voltage and the reference voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a system for analyzing spinal motion of a subject: a linkage having a plurality of arms movable relative to each other in accordance with spinal motion of the subject, at least one potentiometer having an input shaft connected to one of the linkage arms and an electrical resistance which varies in accordance with the position of the shaft, an analog-to-digital converter connected electrically to the potentiometer for providing digital data corresponding to the position of the potentiometer shaft, means for storing a calibration factor corresponding to data produced by the analog-to-digital converter when a calibration voltage is applied to the potentiometer, means for applying a reference voltage to the potentiometer to produce spinal motion data from the analog-to-digital converter corresponding to the spinal motion of the subject, and means for combining the calibration factor with the spinal motion data to provide a spinal motion signal which is substantially independent of differences between the calibration voltage and the reference voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the calibration factor is provided in accordance with the following relationship: ##EQU5## where CF is the calibration factor, POT is the angular position of the potentiometer shaft, V CAL is the calibration voltage, and ADI is the data produced by the analog-to-digital converter when the calibration voltage is applied, and the calibration factor is combined with the spine motion data in accordance with the following relationship: ##EQU6## where ANGLE is the output signal, CF is the calibration factor, DATA is the spine motion data from the analog-to-digital converter, and V REF is the reference voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a sports motion analyzer: a first transducer providing an electrical signal corresponding to rotational movement of a first part of a person's body relative to the ground, a linkage having a plurality of arms connected together and adapted to be connected between the first part of the body and a second part of the body, transducer means coupled to the linkage arms for providing electrical signals corresponding to motion of the second part of the body relative to the first part, a display, and means responsive to the electrical signals for providing visual representations of the motion of the first and second parts of the body on the display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a sports motion analyzer: a first transducer providing an electrical signal corresponding to rotational movement of a first part of a person's body relative to the ground, a linkage having a plurality of arms connected together and adapted to be connected between the first part of the body and a second part of the body, transducer means coupled to the linkage arms for providing electrical signals corresponding to motion of the second part of the body relative to the first part, a display, and means responsive to the electrical signals for providing visual representations of the motion of the first and second parts of the body on the display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sports motion analyzer of claim 3 wherein the first transducer is a gyroscope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The sports motion analyzer of claim 3 wherein the linkage is adapted to be mounted between the person's hips and shoulders, and the means for providing a visual representation includes means for providing graphical representations of the hip and shoulder rotation of the person.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sports motion analyzer of claim 3 wherein the means for providing a visual representation also includes means for providing graphical representations of the person's lateral bending and anterior-posterior bending.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a system for analyzing the motion of a golfer swinging a club: a first transducer adapted to be attached to the golfer's hips providing an electrical signal corresponding to rotational movement of the golfer's hips relative to the ground, a linkage having a plurality of arms connected together between the golfer's hips and shoulders, transducer means coupled to the linkage arms for providing electrical signals corresponding to spinal motion of the golfer, and means responsive to the electrical signals for providing visual information about the motion of the golfer's hips, shoulders and spine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a system for analyzing the motion of a golfer swinging a club: a first transducer adapted to be attached to the golfer's hips providing an electrical signal corresponding to rotational movement of the golfer's hips relative to the ground, a linkage having a plurality of arms connected together between the golfer's hips and shoulders, transducer means coupled to the linkage arms for providing electrical signals corresponding to spinal motion of the golfer, and means responsive to the electrical signals for providing visual information about the motion of the golfer's hips, shoulders and spine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the first transducer is a gyroscope.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the means for providing visual information includes a video display screen, and means for providing graphical representations of hip and shoulder rotation of the golfer on the screen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the means for providing a visual representation also includes means for providing graphical representations of the golfer's lateral bending and anterior-posterior bending.
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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) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |