Computer based upper extremity evaluation system
First Claim
1. A clinical range of motion and disability evaluation device for measuring the range of flexion and extension of a patient'"'"'s hand comprising a computer means, means directly connected to the computer means for a skilled human operator such as a rehabilitative or physical therapist or physician to selectively measure and input various physical locations of the articulated segments which comprise the fingers of the hand, a common reference point, the measuring and input means including means to locate points proximate the various joints of fingers on the hand with respect to said common reference point in a fully three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate form, said measurements being taken with the fingers of the hand in both a flexed and extended orienation, and the computer means having means to determine the degree of disability from said measured locations according to recognized standard criteria, the disability determining means thereby having means to calculate the angles of maximum flexion and extension for each finger from points that locate the absolute position of maximal and distal segments at each and every joint articulation in the fingers of the hands.
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Abstract
An upper extremity evaluation system includes a computer and a directly connected three-dimensional position locator which may be used by a therapist to enter data corresponding to the location of the flexed and extended joints of the hand, wrist and elbow. The computer may then utilize these dimensions in calculating angles of flexion and extension, and a degree of disability in accordance with American Medical Association standards.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A clinical range of motion and disability evaluation device for measuring the range of flexion and extension of a patient'"'"'s hand comprising a computer means, means directly connected to the computer means for a skilled human operator such as a rehabilitative or physical therapist or physician to selectively measure and input various physical locations of the articulated segments which comprise the fingers of the hand, a common reference point, the measuring and input means including means to locate points proximate the various joints of fingers on the hand with respect to said common reference point in a fully three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate form, said measurements being taken with the fingers of the hand in both a flexed and extended orienation, and the computer means having means to determine the degree of disability from said measured locations according to recognized standard criteria, the disability determining means thereby having means to calculate the angles of maximum flexion and extension for each finger from points that locate the absolute position of maximal and distal segments at each and every joint articulation in the fingers of the hands.
- 7. A device to perform the clinical evaluation of the range of motion of a patient'"'"'s hands, said device comprising a computer means, a pointer means, a reference, means directly connected to the computer means to generate data corresponding to the position of the pointer means in three dimensional space with respect to the reference, and means for a therapist to cause data generated by the position means to be stored in the computer means so that a therapist can enter data into the computer means corresponding to the maximum flexion and extension of the patient'"'"'s hands, said computer means having means to calculate and communicate the range of motion.
- 13. A clinical range of motion and disability evaluation device comprising a work station having a work surface, a personal computer, a three-dimensional six degree of freedom position locator and wand directly connected to the personal computer, said three-dimensional position locator including a common reference mounted to the work station substantially adjacent the working surface and having means to generate data corresponding to the position of the wand with respect to said reference, a second means connected to the personal computer to control the entry of data from the three-dimensional position locator to the computer wherein a therapist may selectively orient the wand at a plurality of points across a patient'"'"'s hand and input data corresponding to the position of the joints while the hand is in a state of maximum flexion and extension, and the computer having means to calculate the angles of maximum extension and flexion and a degree of disability therefrom.
Specification