Apparatus for automated determination of low frequency tactile thresholds
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically testing the vibrotactile sensory response of a patient, comprising:
- a) a stimulation apparatus for producing vibrotactile stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course, the stimulation apparatus comprising;
i) a motor which produces rotational motion of a shaft in response to a control signal;
ii) a probe mount rigidly attached to said shaft; and
iii) a stimulation probe rigidly attached to said probe mount at a distance from the axis of rotation of said shaft and with an orientation such that rotation of said shaft results in the movement of the stimulating surface of said stimulation probe about said axis at a fixed distance from said axis; and
b) a control apparatus for controlling said stimulation apparatus, recording the patient'"'"'s responses to cutaneous stimulation produced by said stimulation apparatus, and generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient'"'"'s response to said stimuli.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for automated testing of vibrotactile responses of a patient is disclosed. The embodiment of the invention comprises a component to apply indentations and vibrations to the patient'"'"'s skin to test the patient'"'"'s response to vibrotactile stimuli. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a general purpose computer functions to control the operation of the system and to record and store the patient'"'"'s responses. Indentations and vibrations are produced by off-axis rotational movement of a stimulation probe. A frequency modulated signal generated by the computer is used to control the motor which drives the stimulation probe. The embodiment of the present invention is able to reliably repeat each test so that the tests are reproducible and are carried out in an objective manner.
16 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically testing the vibrotactile sensory response of a patient, comprising:
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a) a stimulation apparatus for producing vibrotactile stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course, the stimulation apparatus comprising; i) a motor which produces rotational motion of a shaft in response to a control signal; ii) a probe mount rigidly attached to said shaft; and iii) a stimulation probe rigidly attached to said probe mount at a distance from the axis of rotation of said shaft and with an orientation such that rotation of said shaft results in the movement of the stimulating surface of said stimulation probe about said axis at a fixed distance from said axis; and b) a control apparatus for controlling said stimulation apparatus, recording the patient'"'"'s responses to cutaneous stimulation produced by said stimulation apparatus, and generating additional stimuli in response to the record of the patient'"'"'s response to said stimuli. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for automatically testing the vibrotactile sensory response of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
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a) a stimulation apparatus for producing vibrotactile stimuli of precise predetermined amplitude and time course, comprising; i) a motor which produces rotational motion of a shaft in response to a control signal; ii) a probe mount rigidily attached to said shaft; and iii) a stimulation probe rigidly attached to said probe mount at a distance from the axis of rotation of said shaft and with an orientation such that rotation of said shaft results in the movement of the stimulating surface of said stimulation probe about said axis at a fixed distance from said axis; b) a frequency-generating computer for generating a frequency modulated digital signal; c) an electronic circuit for converting said frequency modulated digital signal to an amplitude modulated analog signal which is used as said control signal; d) a switch apparatus whereby the patient indicates detection of a vibrotactile stimulus, and from which a signal is produced which indicates that said detection has occurred; and e) a signal-detecting computer for detecting signals from said switch apparatus and generating additional stimuli in response to detection of signal from said switch apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification