Diagnostic apparatus and method for evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome
First Claim
1. An apparatus for assessment of the glide in a live human body joint wherein a joint is formed of a forearm portion connected to a carpal-metacarpal portion by various ligament, tendon, and muscular tissues, the forearm portion having an ulna bone and a radius bone, the carpal-metacarpal portion having an ulnar side, and the tissues permitting shear, or translational, movement of the carpal-metacarpal portion relative to the forearm portion, the apparatus comprising the following components:
- (a) a means for stabilizing and aligning the forearm portion to a fixed plane defined by said apparatus;
(b) a means for stabilizing and aligning the carpal-metacarpal portion to a movable plane parallel to said fixed plane and defined by said apparatus;
(c) a means for providing bidirectional movement of said movable plane in a direction perpendicular, or normal, to said fixed plane, whereby either dorsal or volar glide between the forearm portion and the carpal-metacarpal portion is isolated; and
(d) a means for measuring normal displacement between said fixed plane and said movable plane and for measuring resistance to movement exerted by the carpal-metacarpal portion as the carpal-metacarpal portion in said movable plane is moved in said normal direction with relation to the forearm portion in said fixed plane, said measurements being accomplished in the absence of a volitional component of force exerted by the muscular tissues.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is a diagnostic device for measuring the extensibility of certain key carpal ligaments so as to determine the tendency of the subject to carpal tunnel damage. It consists of a structure to secure the arm and hand in a predetermined position on a stationary platform and the metacarpals of the hand in a predetermined position on a carriage moveable relative to the platform, so that the radius and ulnar bones of the forearm may be aligned in a fixed plane parallel with the moveable plane of the metacarpals of the hand. Once secure, a force is applied to the carriage in a dorsal direction perpendicular to the metacarpal plane, so as to measure the metacarpal glide. This force places stress on the ligaments of the volar joint between the proximal and distal carpal row, and resulting displacement, tension, and creep strength values are measured by a load cell and a lineometer. Using these values, the following can be determined: (1) extent of volar carpal ligament contracture and deformity; (2) requirements of ligament retraining; (3) diagnostic criteria for predicting carpal tunnel syndrome; and (4) values to assist health professionals in determining whether or not surgery for decompressing peripheral neuropathy is warranted.
29 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assessment of the glide in a live human body joint wherein a joint is formed of a forearm portion connected to a carpal-metacarpal portion by various ligament, tendon, and muscular tissues, the forearm portion having an ulna bone and a radius bone, the carpal-metacarpal portion having an ulnar side, and the tissues permitting shear, or translational, movement of the carpal-metacarpal portion relative to the forearm portion, the apparatus comprising the following components:
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(a) a means for stabilizing and aligning the forearm portion to a fixed plane defined by said apparatus; (b) a means for stabilizing and aligning the carpal-metacarpal portion to a movable plane parallel to said fixed plane and defined by said apparatus; (c) a means for providing bidirectional movement of said movable plane in a direction perpendicular, or normal, to said fixed plane, whereby either dorsal or volar glide between the forearm portion and the carpal-metacarpal portion is isolated; and (d) a means for measuring normal displacement between said fixed plane and said movable plane and for measuring resistance to movement exerted by the carpal-metacarpal portion as the carpal-metacarpal portion in said movable plane is moved in said normal direction with relation to the forearm portion in said fixed plane, said measurements being accomplished in the absence of a volitional component of force exerted by the muscular tissues. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of assessment of the state of a body joint of a live human being wherein a forearm portion is connected to a carpal-metacarpal portion by various ligament, tendon, and muscular tissues, the carpal-metacarpal portion being movable in a shear, or translational, maneuver perpendicular to the forearm portion without muscular contraction, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) fixing the forearm portion by a stationary support defining a fixed plane; (b) restraining the carpal-metacarpal portion by a movable support defining a movable plane which is parallel to said fixed plane; (c) dorsally moving the carpal-metacarpal portion by means of said movable support relative to the forearm portion restrained by said stationary support, whereby a shear maneuver between the distal radial ulna and the proximal carpal row is effected and resulting dorsal glide characteristics are isolated; and (d) measuring a displacement of said movable support and a resistance to movement of the carpal-metacarpal portion relative to the forearm portion, the displacement and the resistance being measured in the absence of an additional volitional component of muscular force. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification