Apparatus and method for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject

• US 7,179,234 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Natus Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Neurocom International Inc. (Natus Medical Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nashner, Lewis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TOWA, RENE T
• Application Number:
  US10/889,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20050043661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/221 Ergometry, e.g. by using bicycle type apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/224 Measuring muscular strength
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/024 Knee A61H1/0255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1642 Holding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1676 Pivoting
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/00 Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about apparatus for helping babies to walk A47D13/04; orthopaedic devices for correcting deformities of, or supporting, limbs A61F5/0102; exercising apparatus for the feet or toes A63B23/10; stairways or ramps E04F11/00

Abstract

A method and apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement is provided. The method includes causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner and monitoring quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part and external force on the body part. At least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part is determined from the quantities measured.

Claims

1. A method for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the method comprising:

applying external forces to the body so as to cause movement of the body part in a first manner and a second manner, wherein the first manner includes causing a large displacement of the body part at a slow displacement rate and the second manner includes causing a small displacement of the body part at a rapid displacement rate, wherein the body part exerts an internal force to contribute to the movement of the body part;

monitoring quantities related to the displacements of the body part and the external forces applied to the body part; and

determining at least one quantity related to the contribution of the internal force generated by the body part from the quantities measured.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part in relation to the displacements of the body part.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising;

monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part when the muscle is relaxed.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part when the muscle is active.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body part includes a limb.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the body part includes a set of limbs.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacements of the body part includes monitoring a displacement of a joint associated with the body part.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the joint is a knee.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along a knee-flexion-extension axis.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along a knee pronation-supination axis.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along an eversion-inversion axis.

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the joint is a hip.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein causing movement of the body part further includes causing cyclic movement typical of walking.