Device for measuring cervical range of motion

• US 4,777,965 A
• Filed: 11/26/1985
• Issued: 10/18/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Pohtilla, James F., Lepley, Marvin G., Ellingham, Corinne T., Allison, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sykes, Angela D.
• Application Number:
  US06/802,179
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 128/774, 128/781-782, 33/511-512, 33/515, 33/381-382
• US Class Current: 600/594
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/068 with a bubble level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles

Abstract

A device and process for measuring cervical range of motion about three axes comprises an eyeglass frame which is supported on the nose and ears of a patient. A pendulum angle finder and a compass and the pendulum is mounted a horizontal axis and the compass needle is mounted about a vertical axis. The angle finder and compass are mounted on the eyeglass frame with a clamp that permits rotating the angle finder 90° to permit measuring angles about two mutually perpendicular axes in the horizontal plane to permit tri-planar angle measurements. The angle finder and compass can be adjusted to a zero position and cervical range of motion is then measured through the use of angle indictor scales provided on the angle finder and compass. Readings may be made about one, two, or all three axes of rotation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the range of cervical motion about at least two axes of rotation including:

a frame for detachably mounting the apparatus to a human head, said frame having a nose pad adapted to be supported on the bridge of the nose as a reference location, and temple pieces adapted to be positioned on opposite side of a head for supporting and stabilizing the frame on the ears of a wearer; and

a first vertical angle finder means and second angle determining means both coupled to the frame for determination of angle with respect to reference locations, respectively, using portions of the first and second means mounted on the wearer of the frame only, the angle finder means detecting rotations about a first axis and the second means detecting rotations about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 and means for adjustably mounting the angle finder and second angle determining means to the frame, said means for adjustably mounting permitting adjusting the position of the angle finder and second means substantially 90°

.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes means to pivotally mount the temple pieces to other portions of the frame about a horizontal axis and screw adjustment means to permit tilting the frame about a horizontal axis relative to the temple pieces.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said angle finder comprises a pendulum mounted about the first axis, said first axis being substantially horizontal in use.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the second angle determining means comprises a compass needle pivotally mounted on an axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said compass has a rotatable face for zeroing the reading and has an angular scale marked thereon.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 and a level assembly attached to said frame comprising two bubble levels oriented perpendicularly to one another and having axes defining a plane.

8. A process for measuring cervical range of motion comprising the steps of:

a. mounting an a frame having a front cross frame, a nose piece and hinged temple pieces supportable on a human head;

b. providing a level assembly having two mutually perpendicular bubble levels mounted thereon to indicate level condition in two axes of a plane;

c. providing a compass and an angle indicator for vertical angles on the frame and oriented to indicate angles about substantially vertical and horizontal axes, respectively; and

d. rotating the head about vertical and horizontal axes and taking measurements with the compass and angle finder to determine the range of motion about said axes.