Functional capacity evaluation apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for testing the lifting ability of an individual comprising:
- a detached object to be lifted in free space a fixed predetermined distance A first sensor to determine when the lift has begun;
A second sensor to determine when the lift has been completed; and
force sensors for determining the force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s feet during the lift;
Means for calculating the velocity and acceleration of the lift, said calculating means connected to said first sensor and said second sensor; and
, means for recording the average force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s feet during the lift, said recording means connected to said force sensors.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided for testing the ability of an individual to lift objects under various conditions. During standard lifting tests, the average acceleration and velocity of each lift, as well as the distribution of force between the hands and feet of the patient, are electronically measured and recorded. These objective factors can then be used to determine whether the patient is exerting maximal effort, and to assess a patient'"'"'s condition and progress during a rehabilitation program.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing the lifting ability of an individual comprising:
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a detached object to be lifted in free space a fixed predetermined distance A first sensor to determine when the lift has begun;
A second sensor to determine when the lift has been completed; and
force sensors for determining the force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s feet during the lift;
Means for calculating the velocity and acceleration of the lift, said calculating means connected to said first sensor and said second sensor; and
,means for recording the average force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s feet during the lift, said recording means connected to said force sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for testing the lifting capability of an individual comprising:
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a rack having a plurality of supports for shelves;
at least one shelf selectively positioned on said rack, detached object to be lifted a fixed distance, said fixed distance determined by the selective placement of said shelves on said rack;
a first sensor for determining when the lift has begun;
a second sensor for determining when the lift has been complete;
force sensors for determining the force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s hands and feet during the lift;
means for calculating the velocity and acceleration of the lift said, calculating means connected to said first sensor and said second sensor; and
,means for recording the average force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s hands and feet during the lift. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for testing the lifting capacity of an individual comprises the steps of:
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providing a detached object to be lifted a fixed distance;
providing a first sensor near the location where the lift will begin;
providing a second sensor near the location where the lift will end;
providing force sensors to measure the force applied by the hands and feet of the individual;
directing the individual to lift the object;
monitoring the output from the first sensor so as to determine when the lift has begun;
monitoring the output from the second sensor so as to determine when the lift has ended;
monitoring the output of said force sensors during the duration of the lift'"'"' determining the total time for the lift calculating the velocity and acceleration of the lift from the known time and distance;
determining the average force applied by each of the individual'"'"'s hands and feet during the duration of the lift;
utilizing said velocity and acceleration and force to determine whether the individual expended maximal effort. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification