Device and method for testing dexterity
First Claim
1. An automated electrically operated medical testing system by means of which a test-giver can test an individual test-taker'"'"'s ability to execute simple manual dexterity tests when the test-taker is suspected of having declining functionality, comprising:
- (a) a base unit;
(b) at least one manual dexterity test component attached to the base unit and characterized by providing at least one selected manual dexterity task to be performed by a test-taker;
(c) a signaling assembly including at least one signal device mounted on said base unit and productive when energized of producing a first signal perceptible by said test-taker and means connected to said signal device enabling a test-giver to activate said signal device and thereby provide said first signal as a command to said test-taker to initiate said at least one manual dexterity task;
(d) a reaction assembly including at least one reaction sensor comprising at least one hand-touch pad for receiving at least one hand of said test-taker at the beginning of a said test and means associated with at least one said hand-touch pad responsive to said test-taker'"'"'s hand being removed from said hand-touch pad for providing a second signal corresponding to the test-taker'"'"'s response to said signal device command;
(e) at least one test indicator connected to said at least one manual dexterity component and productive of a third signal responsive to said test-taker'"'"'s positioning of said component and corresponding to the time when the at least one selected manual dexterity task has been completed;
(f) a timer;
(g) a display device; and
(h) a processor connected to said signaling assembly, said reaction assembly, said at least one said test indicator, said timer and said display device, said processor being operative in response to said first, second and third signals to display the time said signal device is activated, the time at least one said hand-touch pad indicates said test-taker has responded to said signal device command, and the time said test indicator indicates said manual dexterity task is complete, thereby allowing the test-giver to determine the test-taker'"'"'s ability to respond to said command and execute said task.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated timed manual performance (TMP) system which includes a base unit having attached manual dexterity test components. Connected to the base is a reaction sensor which allows determination of the exact time of beginning and ending the manual dexterity task(s). The sensor is also connected to either a personal computer or a direct readout device. The system also optionally includes software to guide an operator through administration of a TMP test, and to display and analyze the results of the test.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automated electrically operated medical testing system by means of which a test-giver can test an individual test-taker'"'"'s ability to execute simple manual dexterity tests when the test-taker is suspected of having declining functionality, comprising:
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(a) a base unit; (b) at least one manual dexterity test component attached to the base unit and characterized by providing at least one selected manual dexterity task to be performed by a test-taker; (c) a signaling assembly including at least one signal device mounted on said base unit and productive when energized of producing a first signal perceptible by said test-taker and means connected to said signal device enabling a test-giver to activate said signal device and thereby provide said first signal as a command to said test-taker to initiate said at least one manual dexterity task; (d) a reaction assembly including at least one reaction sensor comprising at least one hand-touch pad for receiving at least one hand of said test-taker at the beginning of a said test and means associated with at least one said hand-touch pad responsive to said test-taker'"'"'s hand being removed from said hand-touch pad for providing a second signal corresponding to the test-taker'"'"'s response to said signal device command; (e) at least one test indicator connected to said at least one manual dexterity component and productive of a third signal responsive to said test-taker'"'"'s positioning of said component and corresponding to the time when the at least one selected manual dexterity task has been completed; (f) a timer; (g) a display device; and (h) a processor connected to said signaling assembly, said reaction assembly, said at least one said test indicator, said timer and said display device, said processor being operative in response to said first, second and third signals to display the time said signal device is activated, the time at least one said hand-touch pad indicates said test-taker has responded to said signal device command, and the time said test indicator indicates said manual dexterity task is complete, thereby allowing the test-giver to determine the test-taker'"'"'s ability to respond to said command and execute said task. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20)
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9. A method for testing a test-taker'"'"'s ability to execute manual dexterity tasks when the test-taker is suspected of having declining functionality, comprising:
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(a) establishing an automated electrically operated medical testing system by means of which a test-giver can test an individual test-taker'"'"'s ability to execute manual dexterity tests, comprising; (i) a base unit; (ii) at least one manual dexterity test component attached to the base unit and characterized by providing at least one selected manual dexterity task to be performed by a test-taker; (iii) a signaling assembly including at least one signal device mounted on said base unit and productive when energized of producing a first signal perceptible by said test-taker and means connected to said signal device enabling a test-giver to activate said signal device and thereby provide said first signal as a command to said test-taker to initiate said at least one manual dexterity task; (iv) a reaction assembly including at least one reaction sensor comprising at least one hand-touch pad for receiving at least one hand of said test-taker at the beginning of a said test and means associated with at least one said hand-touch pad responsive to said test-taker'"'"'s hand being removed from said hand-touch pad for providing a second signal corresponding to the test-taker'"'"'s response to said signal device command; (v) at least one test indicator connected to said at least one manual dexterity component and productive of a third signal responsive to said test-taker'"'"'s positioning of said component and corresponding to the time when the at least one selected manual dexterity task has been completed; (vi) a timer; (vii) a display device; and (viii) a processor connected to said signaling assembly, said reaction assembly, said at least one said test indicator, said timer and said display device, said processor being operative in response to said first, second and third signals to display the time said signal device is activated, the time at least one said hand-touch pad indicates said test-taker has responded to said signal device command, and the time said test indicator indicates said manual dexterity task is complete, thereby allowing the test-giver to determine the test-taker'"'"'s ability to respond to said command and execute said task; (b) selecting a test-taker and a test-giver; (c) determining one or more manual dexterity tasks for the test-taker to perform on said system; (d) causing said test-taker to place one of the said test-taker'"'"'s hands on at least one said hand-touch pad; (e) causing said test-giver to energize said signal device to produce said first signal as said command; (f) determining the time when said signal device was activated and the times when one or more of said manual dexterity tasks were completed; and (g) displaying the time when said signal device was activated, the time the at least one said touch pad indicates said test-taker responded to said signal device command, and the time when one or more said manual dexterity tasks were completed, thereby allowing the test-giver to determine a test-taker'"'"'s ability to respond to said signal device command and to execute one or more of said manual dexterity tasks for the purpose of medical testing and treating of patients with declining functionality. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification