Apparatus and method for testing of neurosensory response

• US 20080154147A1
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: A. L. Dellon, John Rix, Lajoo Motwani, Luiann Greer
• Original Assignee: A. L. Dellon, John Rix, Lajoo Motwani, Luiann Greer
• Inventors: Motwani, Lajoo, Greer, Luiann, Rix, John, Dellon, A. L.
• Application Number:
  US11/643,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154147A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/544
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/103 Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes A61B5/08 takes precedence; measuring aids for tailors A41H1/00; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C19/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4041 Evaluating nerves condition

Abstract

An apparatus including a handheld computing device including a user interface, sensing electronics electrically connected to the handheld computing device, a housing configured to house the sensing electronics and support the handheld computing device, where the housing may further be configured to enable a user to access the user interface of the handheld computing device, and a neurosensory sensory device, operable to test a neurosensory response from a patient, in communication with the handheld computing device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing a neurosensory response from a patient, said apparatus comprising:

a handheld computing device including a user interface;

sensing electronics electrically connected to said handheld computing device;

a housing configured to house said sensing electronics and support said handheld computing device, said housing further configured to enable a user to access the user interface of said handheld computing device; and

a neurosensory sensory device operable to test a neurosensory response from a patient and in communication with said handheld computing device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said handheld computing device is a personal digital assistant.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a top cover and a bottom cover, a portion of the top cover defining an opening through which the user interface of said handheld computing device may be accessed.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a bezel configured to contact the top cover and enable a user to access the user interface of said handheld computing device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cradle configured to support said handheld computing device and be connected to said housing.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said cradle is adapted to support handheld computing devices of multiple types.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to said housing.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said neurosensory sensory device includes a dual beam sensor.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensing electronics includes a sample and hold circuit for capturing a neurosensory measurement.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said neurosensory sensory device is configured to sense pressures between 0 and 100 g/mm².

11. An method for configuring an apparatus for testing a neurosensory response from a patient, said method comprising:

providing a handheld computing device including a user interface;

connecting sensing electronics to the handheld computing device;

housing the sensing electronics;

supporting the handheld computing device in a configuration with the sensing electronics to enable a user to access the user interface of the handheld computing device; and

providing a neurosensory sensory device operable to test a neurosensory response from a patient and configurable to communicate with the handheld computing device during a neurosensory test.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing the handheld computing device includes providing a personal digital assistant.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein housing the sensing electronics and supporting the handheld computing device includes connecting a top cover to a bottom cover with the sensing electronics being disposed between the top and bottom covers, a portion of the top cover defining an opening through which the user interface of the handheld computing device may be accessed.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising connecting a bezel to the top cover of the housing, the bezel configured to enable a user to access the user interface of the handheld computing device.

15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising a connecting a cradle to the housing configured to support the handheld computing device.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising connecting a handle connected to the housing.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing the neurosensory sensory device includes providing a neurosensory sensory device including a dual beam sensor.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing sensing electronics includes providing sensing electronics including a sample and hold circuit for capturing a neurosensory measurement.

19. The method according to claim 11, wherein providing a neurosensory sensory device includes providing a neurosensory sensory device configured to measure pressures between 0 and 100 g/mm².