Apparatus for measuring head and spine movement

• US 4,528,990 A
• Filed: 06/27/1983
• Issued: 07/16/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wayne C. Knowles
• Original Assignee: Wayne C. Knowles
• Inventors: Knowles, Wayne C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Application Number:
  US06/508,033
• Time in Patent Office: 750 Days
• Field of Search: 128/781, 128/782, 128/774, 33/174 D, 33/1 N
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses

Abstract

Head-mounted apparatus for measuring the movement of the spine or head about a substantially vertical axis, and also capable of indicating spine or head tilting. A headband firmly affixed to the head includes an indicia scale used in conjunction with a body reference indicator whereby the indicator is maintained stationary while the spine or head is rotated such that the relationship between the indicator and indicia scale represents rotative body movement. A gravity operated gauge also affixed to the apparatus measures tilting of the head with respect to the horizontal.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring rotative body movement about a substantially vertical axis comprising, in combination, a headband adapted to be securely attached to the head comprising a band adapted to encircle the lateral portions of the patient'"'"'s head and adjustable means defined on said band for varying the circumference thereof, a crown bridge mounted upon said headband for extending over the crown of the head, an indicia scale fixedly mounted upon said crown bridge adapted to lie in a substantially horizontal plane having a centrally located pivot shaft defining a pivot axis, said scale lying in a plane perpendicular to said pivot axis, a body reference indicator pivotally mounted upon said crown bridge at said pivot shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis disposed adjacent said scale, said body reference indicator comprising an elongated member having a first portion pivotally mounted upon said crown bridge at said pivot shaft and disposed adjacent said indicia scale and a second portion hinged to said first portion by a hinge axis substantially perpendicular to the length of said first portion whereby said second portion may pivot downwardly toward the wearer'"'"'s body for positioning relative thereto whereby upon said body reference indicator being maintained at a predetermined location relative to the patient'"'"'s body rotation of the patient'"'"'s head about a substantially vertical axis will rotate said scale with respect to said indicator permitting determination of the extent of the patient'"'"'s head movement, and a gravity operated gauge mountable upon said pivot shaft indicating the inclination of said pivot shaft to the vertical.

2. Apparatus for measuring rotative body movement as in claim 1, a chest band adapted to encircle the patient'"'"'s chest, and a plurality of restraint straps extending from said chest band to said headband restraining tilting of the head relative to the vertical.