Method for measuring labial/facial flaccidity

• US 5,678,317 A
• Filed: 05/16/1996
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Karlene Stefanakos
• Original Assignee: Karlene Stefanakos
• Inventors: Stefanakos, Karlene
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Application Number:
  US08/649,036
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 33/512, 33/511, 33/1 N, 128/778, 128/774, 606/1, 606/119, 1/534
• US Class Current: 33/512
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth

Abstract

A method for measuring labial/facial flaccidity, commonly known as a labial/lip, or facial droop. The method includes the use of a labial goniometer, a hand held device, composed of two flat shanks which are joined in the middle by a grommet that serves as a pivot point. The pivot point allows the shanks to be rotated relative to one another. One shank has a double flare/straight edge and the other a double straight edge. The shank with the double flare is calibrated in degrees, over the range of 0° to 30°, above and below a middle reference centerline that runs longitudinally along the entire length of the shank. This design allows for thirty degree measured movement from the centerline of the flared shank in either direction of rotation from the pivot point. With a patient sitting vertically erect, the curved portion of the flared shank is placed horizontally along the labial/lip seal line, directly under the upper lip tubercle and perpendicular to the philtrum. The labial goniometer'"'"'s circular grommet is placed in direct alignment to the central philtrum, but under the upper lip tubercle. The reference line on the straight edge shank is used to measure the degree of facial droop by adjusting the shank with the double straight edge upward or downward over the degree range. The measurement of labial/facial flaccidity can be made on either side of the patient'"'"'s labial facial area.

Claims

1. A method for measuring labial/facial flaccidity, commonly known as a labial/lip, or facial droop, of patients who have suffered neuromuscular impairment as a result of a stroke, or other impairing diseases which affect the labial/facial neuromuscular integrity comprising:

a. the design of a labial goniometer being composed of two shanks which are joined in the middle with a grommet which acts as a pivot point allowing shanks to rotate relative to one another;

one shank of the labial goniometer having a double flare/straight edge design and the other shank having a double straight edge design along its complete length;

on the shank with the flare design, one longitudinal end having a straight edge design on each side of the shank and the other end being flared and having a concave curvature on each side of the shank, and on the end with the flare design, each flare segment being calibrated in degrees, over the range of zero to thirty degrees, above and below a middle reference centerline that runs longitudinally along the entire length of the shank, with the degree ranges being progressive in increments of one degree for a total measurement of sixty degrees, thirty degree measured movement from the centerline of the flared shank in either direction of rotation from the pivot point;

the shank with the double straight edge along its complete length also having a reference centerline that runs longitudinally along the shank;

b. the curved portion of the flared shank is placed, with a patient sitting vertically erect, horizontally along the labial/lip seal line directly under the upper lip tubercle and in perpendicular position to the philtrum;

the patient is to have lips closed and in a resting/relaxed position;

the labial goniometer'"'"'s circular grommet should be in direct alignment to the patient'"'"'s central philtrum, but under the upper lip tubercle;

by moving the straight edge shank upward or downward, whichever is appropriate, the straight edge reference line intersects a degree measurement on the flared segment, which is the result of the reference line following the relaxed labial/lip seal line to the flaccid lip corner;

by adjusting the shank with the double straight edge upward or downward, whichever is appropriate, over the degree range from 0°

to 30°

, a measurement for flaccidity is thus obtained;

this assessment movement follows the labial seal line to the relaxed labial corner of the patient;

the measurement of labial/facial flaccidity over a range of 60 degrees, can be made on the right side and on the left side of the patient'"'"'s labial facial area.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the labial goniometer is constructed from a materials class consisting of transparent glass or plastic, and more preferably transparent plastic.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein a degree of measurement of the angle of a patient'"'"'s labial facial area is in the range of 20 to 45 degrees in either direction from the vertical and more preferably 30 degrees in either direction from the vertical.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the progressive degree of measurement of the angle of the patient'"'"'s labial facial area is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 degrees, and more preferably one degree.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the measurements of the labial goniometer consists of a length of 6.5 inches, a width 0.5 inches, with a flared segment width of 1.25 inches, and a thickness of 0.0625 to 0.125 inches.