Disposable neurological pinwheel

• US 5,222,504 A
• Filed: 02/11/1992
• Issued: 06/29/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SeaMeg, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Solomon
• Inventors: Solomon, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US07/833,938
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 128/744, 128/756, 128/759, 446/217, 446/218
• US Class Current: 600/557
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0057 by applying motion other than vibrations, e.g. rolling, rubbing, applying a torque, tribometry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4824 Touch or pain perception evaluation A61B5/4821 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4827 assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold

Abstract

A disposable neurological tester comprising a many-pointed pinwheel having a hub and an annular radially projecting array of synthetic organic plastic tines for neurological testing stimulation of the skin and flexible against skin penetration, and an elongated synthetic organic plastic handle having a first terminus. The pin wheel is carried at the handle first terminus on an axle supported from a single side with the tines projecting for skin stimulation, whereby precise locus of skin stimulation by said wheel is viewable by the tester operator from the side of the pin wheel which is free of handle support.

Claims

1. Disposable neurological tester comprising a many-pointed pinwheel having a hub and an annular radially projecting array of synthetic organic plastic tines, said tines being sized and arranged for neurological testing stimulation of the skin and flexible against skin penetration, and an elongated synthetic organic plastic handle having a first terminus, said pinwheel being carried at said handle first terminus on an axle supported from a single side with said tines projecting for skin stimulation, said handle having a second terminus, a gripping surface formed on said handle more closely adjacent said handle second terminus than said handle first terminus, whereby precise locus of skin stimulation by said pinwheel is viewable by the tester operator by exposure to view of the side of said pinwheel which is outboard of said supporting handle.

2. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 1, in which said pinwheel hub and tines are integrally molded.

3. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 1, in which said wheel tines extend from one-third to one and one-third the radius of said pinwheel hub.

4. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 1, in which said pinwheel tines project normal to the said wheel hub.

5. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 1, in which said handle first terminus defines a dull edged surface for neurological testing.

6. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 1, including also a pin supported by said handle first terminus, said pin defining an axle for said pinwheel.

7. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 6, in which said pin is sharply pointed at one end for neurological testing.

8. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 7, in which said pinwheel is rotatably supported on said pin freely of support on one side of said pinwheel to permit easy observation of the area below said pinwheel from the free side of said pinwheel.

9. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 8, in which said pinwheel hub and tines are integrally molded.

10. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 9, in which said pinwheel tines extend from one-third to one and one-third the radius of said wheel hub.

11. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 10, in which said pinwheel tines project radially of the periphery of said wheel hub.

12. Disposable neurological tester according to claim 11, in which said handle first terminus defines a dull edged surface in contrast to said sharply pointed pin and both for neurological testing.