METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NON-INVASIVE AND SELECTIVE DETERMINATION OF BIOMECHANICAL, CONTRACTILE AND VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF SURFACE SKELETAL MUSCLES

• US 20130116601A1
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TMG-BMC D.o.o.
• Original Assignee: TMG-BMC D.o.o.
• Inventors: Tomazic, Saso, Dordevic, Srdan
• Application Number:
  US13/808,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20130116601A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 Cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4523 Tendons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4533 Ligaments

Abstract

The subject of this invention is a measurement method and device for selective and non-invasive determination of biomechanical, contractile and viscoelastic properties (BCVP) of skeletal muscles, muscle parts, tendons and ligaments (subjects of measurements) performed in situ (examine the phenomenon exactly in place where it occurs) by measuring the force at the skin surface above the subject of measurement. The essential parts included of the measurement device include a measurement sensor with a suitably shaped sensor tip, a microprocessor and a supporting part. The innovative measurement device is shaped in such a way that when positioned on the skin surface, the sensor tip is pressed into the skin. Any suitable force or pressure meter can be used to measure the force at the skin surface above the subject of measurement, where the sensor tip position is not affected by the measuring force.

Claims

1. Measurement device for selective and non-invasive determination of biomechanical, contractile and viscoelastic properties of skeletal muscles, muscle parts, tendons and ligaments (subjects of measurement), including a force or pressure measurement sensor with a sensor tip, which is pressed into the skin surface above the subject of measurement, a microprocessor and a supporting part, which provides for the suitable positioning of the measurement device on the skin surface.

2. Measurement device according to claim 1, characterised by such a shape and deepening of the sensor tip that the force acting on it when pressed into the skin surface above the subject of measurement is proportional to the tension in the subject of measurement.

3. Measurement device according to claim 1, in which the said measurement sensor can be any suitable force or pressure meter, the tip position of which does not change with the measured force.

4. Measurement device according to claim 3, in which the said measurement sensor can be based on the piezoelectronic effect, such as a quartz piezoelectric force sensor or metal-foil strain-gauge meters that are used to convert the pressure force on the sensor tip into an electrical signal, where the change in capacitance, inductance, or resistance of the electrical element in the sensor is proportional to the strain experienced by the sensor.

5. Measurement device according to claim 1, further including a special component for its attachment and fixation on the skin surface which, through the intermediate layer, indirectly contacts the subject of measurement.

6. Measurement device according to claim 1, further including means for presentation and/or data processing of measurement results related to the change in force acting on the subject of measurement.

7. Measurement method for selective and non-invasive determination of biomechanical, contractile and viscoelastic properties of skeletal muscles, muscle parts, tendons and ligaments (subjects of measurement) characterised by positioning the measurement device on the skin surface using the attachment parts and measuring the force acting on the measurement device sensor tip pressed into the skin surface.

8. Measurement method according to claim 7, in which the said force measurement acting on the sensor tip is achieved using any suitable force or pressure meter.

9. Measurement method according to claim 7, characterised by performing biomechanical, contractile and viscoelastic properties determination during volatile activity of the subject of measurement.

10. Measurement method according to claim 7, characterised by performing biomechanical, contractile and viscoelastic properties determination during stimulated activity of the subject of measurement.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterised by external electrical, magnetic or other stimulation.