Muscle function assessment apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of assessment of the function of at least one deep muscle of a subject including the steps of:
- establishing a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
monitoring the activity of said at least one superficial muscle while the subject performs at least one prescribed activity; and
analyzing the activity of said at least one superficial muscle during the prescribed activity and the baseline level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle to produce an indication of the function of said at least one deep muscle.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for assessing the function of deep joint stabilizing muscles. Superficial muscles are monitored using an EMG (3) during performance of an activity known to require recruitment, primarily, of deep stabilizing muscles when performed correctly. If the deep muscle functions adequately, there is little activity of the superficial muscles. Conversely, if the deep muscle function is inadequate, the superficial muscle activity is increased. Monitoring of the superficial muscles may be combined with monitoring of the deep joint stabilizing muscle using ultrasound imaging (12) and/or pressure biofeedback. The apparatus includes an EMG unit (3) ultrasound unit, pressure biofeedback unit (16) and vitalograph (9), in combination with a computer (5) programmed to analyze data from them and given an indication of function.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A method of assessment of the function of at least one deep muscle of a subject including the steps of:
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establishing a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
monitoring the activity of said at least one superficial muscle while the subject performs at least one prescribed activity; and
analyzing the activity of said at least one superficial muscle during the prescribed activity and the baseline level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle to produce an indication of the function of said at least one deep muscle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
varying the position of the subject;
varying the activities performed by the subject;
monitoring superficial muscle activity during said activities;
monitoring deep muscle activity during said activities; and
identifying positions or activities in which deep muscle use is significant.
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10. The method of claim 9, further including the step of selecting exercises for deep muscle training based on the identification of positions or activities in which deep muscle use is significant.
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11. A method of assessment of the function of at least one deep muscle of a subject including the steps of:
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establishing a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
monitoring the activity of said at least one superficial muscle while the subject performs at least one prescribed activity;
analyzing the activity of said at least one superficial muscle during the prescribed activity and the baseline level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle to produce an indication of the function of said of at least one deep muscle;
monitoring the activity of said at least one deep muscle, simultaneously when monitoring the activity of said at least one superficial muscle and analyzing the activity of said at least one deep muscle to provide an indication of the function of said at least one deep muscle; and
further including the step of establishing a substantial level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle and analyzing the substantial level of activity to give an indication of function of said at least one deep muscle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
varying the position of the subject;
varying the activities performed by the subject;
monitoring superficial muscle activity during said activities;
monitoring deep muscle activity during said activities; and
identifying positions or activities in which deep muscle use is significant.
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16. The method of claim 15, further including the step of selecting exercises for deep muscle training based on the identification of positions or activities in which deep muscle use is significant.
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17. An apparatus for assessing the function of at least one deep muscle comprising:
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means for establishing signals indicative of a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
monitoring means to monitor activity of said at least one superficial muscle and produce signals characteristic of muscle activity;
display means to display the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity and the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle; and
analysis means to analyze the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity in relation to the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle to produce an indicator of the function of said at least one deep muscle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
where; a is the function of the deep muscle, t is the time of contraction m is the activity of the superficial muscle; and
b is the baseline activity of the superficial muscle.
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23. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising pressure monitoring means for monitoring changes in force exerted by muscles.
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24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the analysis means further comprises processing means programmed to perform an analysis of data received from the pressure monitoring means to give an indication of muscle of the at least one deep muscle.
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25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the pressure monitoring means is in signal connection with the processing means.
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26. The apparatus of either of claims 24 or 25, wherein the analysis means further comprises processing means programmed to analyze the data according to the algorithm:
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27. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising visualizing means to view said at least one deep muscle.
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28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the visualizing means is ultrasound imaging means.
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29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the analysis means further comprises processing means programmed to perform an analysis of data from the visualizing means to give an indication of function of the at least one deep muscle.
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30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the visualizing means is in signal connection with the processing means.
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31. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for establishing a substantial level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle.
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32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the processing means is programmed to analyze the data according to the algorithm:
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where; a is the function of the deep muscle t is the time of contraction m is the activity of the superficial muscle b is the baseline activity of the superficial muscle; and
s is the substantial level of activity of a superficial muscle as detected by the superficial muscle monitoring means.
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33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the means for establishing a substantial level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle is a vitalograph.
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34. An apparatus for assessing the function of at least one deep muscle comprising:
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means for establishing signals indicative of a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
monitoring means to monitor activity of said at least one superficial muscle and produce signals characteristic of muscle activity;
display means to display the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity and the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle;
pressure monitoring means for monitoring changes in force exerted by muscles;
visualizing means to view said at least one deep muscle; and
analysis means to analyze the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity in relation to the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle, the changes in force exerted by muscles and changes visualized in said at least one deep muscle, to produce an indicator of the function of said at least one deep muscle. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification