Apparatus and methods for assessment of neuromuscular function
First Claim
1. An apparatus for assessing a physiological function in an arm and a hand of an individual, comprising:
- (a) a stimulator for producing a stimulus and for applying said stimulus proximal to a wrist of an individual, whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve that traverses said wrist;
(b) a detector for detecting proximal to a wrist of an individual a myoelectric potential, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a hand of said individual in response to said stimulus, said muscle being in communication with said nerve; and
(c) a controller for evaluating physiological function in response to said stimulus and said myoelectric potential.
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are provided for the assessment of neuromuscular function. Using an apparatus of the invention, stimuli are applied to a nerve that traverses the wrist of an individual. The stimuli are applied at a point that is proximal to the wrist. Stimulation of the nerve causes a muscle innervated by that nerve to respond. The muscle response generates a myoelectric potential, which is detected by an apparatus of the invention at a point that is proximal to the wrist. The delay between stimulation of a nerve and detection of a muscular response to that stimulation is processed to indicate an assessment of neuromuscular function. For example, a sufficient delay between application of stimulus and muscle response may indicate the presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assessing a physiological function in an arm and a hand of an individual, comprising:
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(a) a stimulator for producing a stimulus and for applying said stimulus proximal to a wrist of an individual, whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve that traverses said wrist; (b) a detector for detecting proximal to a wrist of an individual a myoelectric potential, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a hand of said individual in response to said stimulus, said muscle being in communication with said nerve; and (c) a controller for evaluating physiological function in response to said stimulus and said myoelectric potential. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of assessing a physiological function in an arm and a hand of an individual, comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a stimulus proximal to a wrist of an individual whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve that traverses said wrist; (b) detecting a myoelectric potential proximal to a wrist of an individual, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a hand of said individual in response to said stimulus, said muscle being in communication with said nerve; (c) processing said stimulus and said myoelectric potential; and (d) correlating said processing results to a physiological function of said nerve and said muscle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification