Method and apparatus for positioning a forearm for imaging and analysis
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for positioning a forearm of a subject for clinical examination, the combination comprising:
- a frame;
a support channel coupled to the frame along a longitudinal axis, the support channel being shaped to receive the forearm of the subject;
a rotatable handle coupled to the frame and positioned at a location relative to the support channel which enables the subject to grip the handle and to rotate the handle substantially around the longitudinal axis to a plurality of fixed angular positions;
a rotation lock for limiting the rotation of the handle to a selected angle of rotation about a center point;
first and second contact switches, the first and second contact switches being positioned on either side of the center point; and
first and second indicator devices, the indicator devices being electrically connected to the first and second contact switches, respectively;
wherein as the handle is rotated, one of the first and second contact switches is activated, the contact switch activating the indicator device to provide an indication of the direction of rotation.
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Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for repeatably positioning a forearm at a plurality of angular positions for medical analysis. A forearm of a patient is positioned in a support channel within reach of a rotatable handle. The handle can be locked in a number of angular positions, providing a counteractive force as the handle is rotated. The patient rotates and applies a torque force to the handle at selected rotational angles. The forearm and wrist can be scanned in these locked position, and applied torque can be measured to evaluate joint stability.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus for positioning a forearm of a subject for clinical examination, the combination comprising:
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a frame;
a support channel coupled to the frame along a longitudinal axis, the support channel being shaped to receive the forearm of the subject;
a rotatable handle coupled to the frame and positioned at a location relative to the support channel which enables the subject to grip the handle and to rotate the handle substantially around the longitudinal axis to a plurality of fixed angular positions;
a rotation lock for limiting the rotation of the handle to a selected angle of rotation about a center point;
first and second contact switches, the first and second contact switches being positioned on either side of the center point; and
first and second indicator devices, the indicator devices being electrically connected to the first and second contact switches, respectively;
wherein as the handle is rotated, one of the first and second contact switches is activated, the contact switch activating the indicator device to provide an indication of the direction of rotation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
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9. An apparatus for repeatably positioning and applying a torque to a forearm of a subject for scanning, imaging, or other clinical examination, the apparatus comprising:
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a frame;
a support channel coupled to the frame, the support channel being sized and dimensioned to receive the forearm of the subject;
a rotatable handle, the handle being coupled to the frame at a distance from the support channel selected to allow the subject to grip the handle;
a lock coupled to the rotatable handle, the lock being selectively activated to limit rotation of the rotatable handle to a predefined rotational angle around each of a plurality of selected rotational angles, the lock providing a counteractive force against rotation of the rotatable member by the subject wherein the subject can provide a torque on the handle; and
a torque cell coupled to the handle, the torque cell providing a signal indicative of the amount of torque applied to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification