Method and combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus for detecting/monitoring neuropathy

• US 20050124910A1
• Filed: 12/03/2003
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Gupta, Ajay
• Granted Patent: US 7,717,859 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/552
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0051 by applying vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4827 assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold

Abstract

A combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus includes a first component for transmitting or receiving a remote communication signal and a second component for generating vibration to be used in a medical diagnosis. The apparatus functions as a beeper/pager or cellular phone, as well as a medical diagnostic tool to detect and/or monitor neuropathy.

Claims

1. A combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

a) a first component for transmitting or receiving a remote electronic communication signal; and

b) a second component for generating vibration to be used in a medical diagnosis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) the electronic communication signal comprises a wireless signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

a) the apparatus functions as a pager, beeper, or cellular phone.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

a) the apparatus functions as a probe for detecting neuropathy in a subject.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) said second component generates vibration of a fixed magnitude.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) said second component generates a plurality of sets of vibration each of a fixed magnitude.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) said second component generates vibration of a variable magnitude.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

a) the magnitude is variable in a linear, curvilinear, or step-like manner.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) said second component generates vibration at a fixed frequency.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) said second component generates a plurality of sets of vibration each at a fixed frequency.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a) said second component generates vibration at a variable frequency.

12. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

a) the probe can be used to determine a vibration perception threshold, a vibration disappearance threshold, or a vibration threshold, in a subject to detect neuropathy.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a) audio or visual display to indicate one or more of vibration perception threshold, vibration disappearance threshold, and vibration threshold.

14. A combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus, comprising:

a) a device for generating vibration in first and second modes;

b) one of said first and second modes for utilizing in an electronic communication and the other of said first and second modes for utilizing in a medical diagnosis.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

a) the apparatus in said one of said first and second modes operates as a pager, beeper, or cellular phone.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:

a) the apparatus in said other of said first and second modes operates as a probe for detecting neuropathy in a subject.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

a) said device in said other of said first and second modes generates vibration of a fixed magnitude.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

a) said device in said other of said first and second modes generates a plurality of sets of vibrations each of a fixed magnitude.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

a) said device in said other of said first and second modes generates vibration of a variable magnitude.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

a) the magnitude varies in a linear, curvilinear, or step-like. manner.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

a) said device in said other of said first and second modes generates vibration at a fixed frequency.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

a) said device in said other of said first and second modes generates a plurality of sets of vibration each at a fixed frequency.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

a) said device in said other of said first and second modes generates vibration at a variable frequency.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

a) the probe can be used to determine a vibration perception threshold, a vibration disappearance threshold, or a vibration threshold, in a subject to detect neuropathy.

25. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a) audio or visual display to indicate one or more of vibration perception threshold, vibration disappearance threshold, and vibration threshold.

26. An electronic communication apparatus for detecting neuropathy in a subject, comprising:

a) a component for generating vibration of a fixed or variable magnitude; and

b) wherein when the apparatus is applied to a subject, threshold for the perception or disappearance of vibration can be determined as a measure of nerve function to detect neuropathy.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

a) the apparatus also functions as a pager, beeper, or cellular phone.

28. A medical diagnosis method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus, the apparatus comprising;

i) a first component for transmitting or receiving a remote electronic communication signal; and

ii) a second component for generating vibration to be used in a medical diagnosis;

b) generating vibration and applying the apparatus to a subject;

c) diagnosing a medical condition based on detection or non-detection of vibration by the subject.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein:

the apparatus functions as a wireless communication device.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

determining a threshold for the subject'"'"'s ability to detect vibration by generating vibration of a predetermined magnitude or frequency.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein:

the threshold is graded low if the subject detects vibration, and high if the subject cannot detect vibration.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

determining a vibration perception threshold for the subject'"'"'s ability to detect vibration by increasing the magnitude or frequency of vibration.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein:

the vibration perception threshold is graded low, medium, or high when compared to a preset standard thereby indicating the severity of the medical condition.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

determining a vibration disappearance threshold for the subject'"'"'s ability to no longer detect vibration by decreasing the magnitude or frequency of vibration.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein:

the vibration disappearance threshold is graded low, medium, or high when compared to a preset standard thereby indicating the severity of the medical condition.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein:

the medical condition comprises neuropathy.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the step b) comprises generating vibration of a predetermined magnitude or frequency equal to about 95^th-97^th percentiles in a normal population.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein:

detection of vibration by the subject indicates an absence of neuropathy, and non-detection indicates a presence of neuropathy.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein:

the magnitude or frequency is fixed.

40. The method of claim 30, wherein:

the magnitude or frequency is variable in a linear, curvilinear, or step-like manner.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the apparatus is applied to an extremity of the subject.

42. A method of detecting neuropathy in a subject, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus, the apparatus comprising;

i) a first component for transmitting or receiving a remote electronic communication signal; and

ii) a second component for generating vibration to be used in detecting neuropathy;

b) generating vibration of a predetermined magnitude or frequency as a threshold stimulus and applying the apparatus to a subject; and

c) allowing the subject to indicate whether or not vibration can be detected;

d) wherein the absence or presence of neuropathy is indicated by the subject'"'"'s ability to detect or not detect the vibration.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein:

the apparatus functions as a wireless communication device.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein:

the threshold stimulus is equal to about 95^th -97^th percentiles in a normal population.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein:

the step b) comprises generating vibration of a fixed magnitude or frequency.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein:

the step b) comprises generating vibration of a variable magnitude or frequency.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

determining a vibration perception threshold for the subject'"'"'s ability to detect vibration by increasing the magnitude or frequency of vibration.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein:

the vibration perception threshold is graded low, medium, or high when compared to a preset standard thereby indicating the severity of neuropathy.

49. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

determining a vibration disappearance threshold for the subject'"'"'s ability to no longer detect vibration by decreasing the magnitude or frequency of vibration.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein:

the vibration disappearance threshold is graded low, medium, or high when compared to a preset standard thereby indicating the severity of neuropathy.

51. A medical diagnosis method, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus, the apparatus comprising;

i) a first component for transmitting or receiving a remote electronic communication signal; and

ii) a second component for generating vibration to be used in a medical diagnosis;

b) applying the apparatus to a subject and generating vibration;

c) diagnosing a medical condition based on detection or non-detection of vibration by the subject.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein:

the apparatus functions as a wireless communication device.

53. A method of detecting neuropathy in a subject, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a combination electronic communication and medical diagnostic apparatus, the apparatus comprising;

i) a first component for transmitting or receiving a remote electronic communication signal; and

ii) a second component for generating vibration to be used in detecting neuropathy;

b) applying the apparatus to a subject and generating vibration of a predetermined magnitude or frequency as a threshold stimulus; and

c) allowing the subject to indicate whether or not vibration can be detected;

d) wherein the absence or presence of neuropathy is indicated by the subject'"'"'s ability to detect or not detect the vibration.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein:

the apparatus functions as a wireless communication device.