Apparatus and method for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject

• US 20050043661A1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Published: 02/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurocom International Inc. (Natus Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nashner, Lewis M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 602/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/024 Knee A61H1/0255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1676 Pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement is provided. The method includes causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner and monitoring quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part and external force on the body part. At least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part is determined from the quantities measured.

Claims

1. A method for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the method comprising:

causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner;

monitoring quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part and external force on the body part; and

determining at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part from the quantities measured.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part in relation to displacement of the body part.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein causing movement of the body part includes causing a large slow displacement of the body part.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein causing movement of the body part includes causing a small rapid displacement of the body part.

5. A method according to either of claims 3 or 4, further comprising;

monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part when the muscle is relaxed.

6. A method according to either of claims 3 or 4, further comprising:

monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part when the muscle is active.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body part includes a limb.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body part includes a set of limbs.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein monitoring quantities related to displacement of the body part includes monitoring the displacement of a joint associated with the body part.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the joint is a knee.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along a knee-flexion-extension axis.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of knee includes monitoring displacement along a knee pronation-supination axis.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of knee includes monitoring displacement along an eversion-inversion axis.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the joint is a hip.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein causing movement of the body part by the application of external force includes causing cyclic movement typical of walking.

16. An apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the apparatus comprising:

means for causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner;

means for monitoring quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part and external force on the body part; and

means for determining at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part from the quantities measured.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising:

means for monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part in relation to displacement of the body part.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means for causing movement of the body part include a mechanical arm.

19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means for causing movement of the body part includes an actuator.

20. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means for monitoring displacement of the body part includes means for accepting signals for controlling the position of the body part.

21. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the means for monitoring displacement of the body part includes means for generating signals for related to the position of the body part and forces generated by the body part.

22. An apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the apparatus comprising:

an appendage coupled to the body part for causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner;

a measurement device that measures quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part, external forces on the body part and force generated by the appendage; and

a computational device in communication with the measurement device for determining at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising:

a surface electromygraphic recorder for monitoring the activity of a muscle associated with the body part.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the computational device calculates forces necessary to move the body part when no muscle activity is detected.

25. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the body part is a leg and the appendage attaches to the leg and causes knee and hip joints of the leg to move in patterns similar to those generated when walking.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the measurement device measures angular displacement of the knee and hip joints.

27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the measurement device measures forces generated by the appendage in rotating the knee and hip joints.

28. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the appendage includes an actuator.

29. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the measurement device includes an input for receiving and an output for transmitting signals related to displacement of the appendage and of the body part and forces generated by the appendage and the body part.

30. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the appendage includes the measurement device.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the measurement device is integrated with an actuator.

32. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the measurement device is integrated with an actuator.

33. An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a display for displaying

the at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part to a clinician.

34. An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising a display for displaying the at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part to the subject.