Range of motion device

• US 6,447,425 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cystomedix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Paracomp Inc.
• Inventors: Knaian, Ara, Fritschi, Hans, Keller, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/595,570
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 485/1-9, 485/900-902, 601/1, 601/23, 601/27, 601/33-35, 601/40, 733/790.1, 733/790.2, 733/790.8
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6802 Sensor mounted on worn items
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/02 Stretching or bending or torsioning apparatus for exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2230/62 Posture

Abstract

A flexure measurement device measures the flexure of a flexing body part thereby describing a range of motion of the body part. The flexure measurement device includes a flexible member and a sensor for detecting a change in proportion of the flexible member in response to flexing of the flexible member. In one example, a flexure measurement device measures a change in a length dimension of an elongated flexible member. The length dimension is measured using transmitted signals in which a light source directs a light beam across an array of light sensors. A change in length causes a light source to pivot, thereby changing the light sensors upon which the light beam impinges. The flexure measurement device determines a position in the array of light sensors at which the illumination changes from light to dark to produce a flexure angle measurement.

Claims

1. A flexure measurement device comprising:

a flexible member with a single degree of freedom;

two rigid members attached to opposite ends of said flexible member; and

a device for determining and displaying the angle between said rigid members, comprising;

a single wire always positioned a fixed distance from said flexible member, said single wire threaded through blocks attached to said flexible member;

a light source attached to one end of said single wire;

a digital array light sensor positioned so as to be capable of detaching movement of the light but at no time in electrical contact with said flexible member, said rigid members, said single wire, or said light source;

electronics attached to said digital array light sensor for calculating the angle between said rigid members by using a scale and offset, said scale and said offset being configurable by a user of the invention; and

a digital read out attached to said electronics for displaying of the angle between said rigid members.