Electro diagnostic functional assessment unit (EFA-3)

• US 20110224503A1
• Filed: 03/12/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerge Diagnostics
• Original Assignee: OKTX, LLC
• Inventors: Reaston, Phil, Cusimano Reaston, MaryRose
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/026 Measuring blood flow A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/318 Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/369 Electroencephalography [EEG] devices for psychotechnics A61B5/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4029 for evaluating the peripheral nervous systems A61B5/24 takes precedence

Abstract

An Electro Diagnostic Functional Assessment Unit (EFA-3) that is designed to wirelessly monitor muscle group activity and to provide treatment for humans and animals. The muscle groups include the body, fascial, cervical, thoracic, upper and lower extremities, lumbosacral, bladder, cardiac, and rectal. In large animals the muscle groups include torso, legs, neck and face. The EFA-3 simultaneously correlates the muscle activity EMG with cardiac activity, nerve activity, heart rate, blood flow and brain activity with range-of-motion, grip and pinch assessment and a functional assessment in humans. The EFA-3 is operated by proprietary software (78) which provides testing protocols by utilizing a set of wireless sensor(s) (14-40) that are interchangeable and rechargeable. The treatment includes ultrasound, heat, cold, massage and electrical stimulation.

Claims

1. An electro diagnostic functional assessment unit (EFA-3) comprising:

a) a data transmitting unit comprising;

(1) at least one wireless sensor(s) having an input and an output, wherein the input is attached to a selected area of a subject,

(2) a wireless processing circuit having means for receiving and processing the output from said at least one sensor(s) and producing an output,

b) a receiving and transmitting interface having means for receiving the output from said wireless processing circuit and producing an output that is applied into space, and

c) a data receiving unit having means for receiving and processing the output from said receiving and transmitting interface and producing an output that is indicative of the subject'"'"'s test results.

2. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 1 wherein said at least one wireless sensor(s) delivers site-specific that are selected from the group consisting of electrical stimulation, massage, heat, cold and ultrasound.

3. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 1 wherein said at least one wireless sensor(s) is further comprised of a plurality of wireless sensor(s) comprising:

a) an EMG sensor(s),

b) an EKG sensor(s),

c) a ROM sensor(s),

d) a temperature sensor(s),

e) an FCE sensor(s),

f) a GSR sensor(s),

g) a grip Sensor(s),

h) a pinch sensor(s),

i) an NCV sensor(s),

j) a level sensor(s),

k) a heart rate sensor(s),

l) an EEG sensor(s),

m) a blood flow sensor(s), and

n) a treatment delivery sensor(s).

4. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 3 wherein said wireless processing circuit further comprises:

a) a signal conditioner having means for receiving and optionally filtering and amplifying the outputs from said plurality of wireless sensor(s) and producing an output,

b) a wireless processor having means for receiving and processing the output from said signal conditioner and producing an output, and

c) a battery that provides the required voltage/current to operate said data transmitting unit.

5. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 4 wherein said battery is comprised of a rechargeable battery.

6. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 1 wherein said receiving and transmitting interface utilizes a wireless system that is selected from the group consisting of GiFi, WiFi, ZigBee and Bluetooth.

7. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 1 wherein said data receiving unit further comprises:

a) a wireless control circuit having means for receiving the output from said receiving and transmitting interface and producing an output, and

b) a data controller/processor having means for receiving and processing the output from said wireless control circuit, wherein said data controller/processor operates in combination with software to produce an output that is indicative of a subject'"'"'s test results.

8. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 7 wherein said data controller/processor is comprised of a computer having wireless capability.

9. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 7 wherein said data controller/processor is comprised of a smartphone.

10. An electro diagnostic functional assessment unit (EFA-3) comprising:

a) a data transmitting unit comprising;

(1) a plurality of wireless sensor(s), wherein each said sensor(s) having an input and an output, wherein the input is attached to a selected area of a subject that is undergoing a testing protocol,

(2) a like plurality of wireless processing circuits each comprising;

(a) a signal conditioner having means for receiving and processing the output from said sensor(s) and producing an output,

(b) a wireless processor having means for receiving and processing the output from said signal conditioner and producing an output,

(c) a battery that provides the required voltage/current to operate said data transmitting unit,

b) a receiving and transmitting interface having means for receiving the output from said wireless processing circuit and producing an output that is applied into space,

(1) a wireless control circuit having means for receiving the output through space from said receiving and transmitting interface and producing an output,

(2) a data acquisition circuit having means for receiving and processing the output from said wireless control circuit and producing an output,

(3) a data controller/processor having means for receiving the output from said data acquisition circuit, wherein said data controller/processor operates in combination with software to produce an output that is indicative of a subject'"'"'s test results,

(4) a power source having means for providing the required voltage/current to operate said data receiving unit, and

(5) a treatment delivery sensor(s) for delivering site-specific treatment that is selected from the group consisting of ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, cold and massage.

11. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said plurality of wireless sensor(s) comprises:

a) an EMG sensor(s),

b) an EKG sensor(s),

c) a ROM sensor(s),

d) a temperature sensor(s),

e) an FCE sensor(s),

f) a GSR sensor(s),

g) a grip Sensor(s),

h) a pinch sensor(s),

i) an NCV sensor(s),

j) a level sensor(s),

k) a heart rate sensor(s),

l) an EEG sensor(s),

m) a blood flow sensor(s), and

n) a treatment delivery sensor(s).

12. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein the subject can be comprised of either a human or an animal.

13. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said sensor(s) interface circuit, said signal conditioner, said wireless processor and said battery are integrated into a single unit.

14. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said battery is further comprised of a rechargeable battery.

15. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said receiving and transmitting interface utilizes a wireless system that is selected from the group consisting of:

GiFi, WiFi, ZigBee and Bluetooth.

16. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said power source is comprised of either a battery or a utility power source having means for converting the utility a-c voltage to a regulated d-c voltage.

17. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said data controller/processor is comprised of a computer having wireless capability.

18. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said data controller/processor is comprised of a smartphone.

19. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 wherein said software is comprised of the following modules that flow down from a main menu:

a) subject input and selection,

b) protocol selection further comprising;

(1) cervical,

(2) thoracic,

(3) lower extremities,

(4) carpal tunnel,

(5) shoulder,

(6) upper extremities,

(7) custom,

(8) lower back,

(9) lumbosacral, and

(10) cardiac,

c) sensor(s) verification, and treatment delivery,

d) data acquisition further comprising graphs,

e) data transfer further comprising;

(1) File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and

(2) electronic media, and

f) remote control.

20. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 further having means for aging an injury.

21. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 further having means for determining compliance, malingering and pain.

22. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 further having means for distinguishing cardiac versus muscle pathology and to provide site-specific treatment.

23. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 further comprising proprietary algorithms.

24. The EFA-3 as specified in claim 10 further having means for evaluating sports injuries during performance and to provide site-specific treatment.