Apparatus for methods for the assessment of neuromuscular function of the lower extremity
First Claim
1. An apparatus for assessing a physiological function in a leg and a foot of an individual, comprising:
- (a) a stimulator for producing a stimulus and for applying said stimulus proximal to an ankle joint of an individual, whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve that traverses said ankle joint;
(b) a detector for detecting proximal to said ankle joint a myoelectric potential, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a foot of said individual in response to said stimulus, said muscle being in communication with said nerve; and
(c) a controller for evaluating a 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 ankle joint of an individual. The stimuli are applied at a point that is proximal to the ankle joint. 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 ankle joint. 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 diabetic neuropathy.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An apparatus for assessing a physiological function in a leg and a foot of an individual, comprising:
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(a) a stimulator for producing a stimulus and for applying said stimulus proximal to an ankle joint of an individual, whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve that traverses said ankle joint; (b) a detector for detecting proximal to said ankle joint a myoelectric potential, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a foot of said individual in response to said stimulus, said muscle being in communication with said nerve; and (c) a controller for evaluating a 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, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of assessing a physiological function in a leg and a foot of an individual, comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a stimulus proximal to an ankle joint of an individual, whereby application of said stimulus stimulates a nerve that traverses said ankle joint; (b) detecting a myoelectric potential proximal to said ankle joint, whereby said myoelectric potential is generated by a muscle in a foot 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 (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification