Patent US3752144A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3752144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Muscular evaluation method and testing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-07-23
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable apparatus and method for positioning a force sensor adjacent various portions of the patient''s body and for measuring and recording forces exerted by the voluntary muscles of the patient. The apparatus is calibrated such that the adjustment of the apparatus for positioning the patient and the force sensor may be recorded and later exactly reproduced. An adjustable calibrated platform positions the patient while an adjustable calibrated frame positions the force sensor. The frame and the patient support platform are relatively movable such that the force sensor may be positioned adjacent substantially any portion of the patient''s body. The adjustments of the apparatus are recorded such that the position of the patient and the force sensor may later be duplicated to compare the patient''s muscular condition at spaced time intervals.
Inventors
- 👤 K Weigle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/22; A61B5/224; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1107; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0252; A61B5/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of evaluating muscular condition comprising the steps of: a. positioning a patient on an adjustable calibrated supporting apparatus; b. adjusting the apparatus to accommodate the physical make-up of the patient; c. further adjusting the apparatus to position a force sensor adjacent a portion of the patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be evaluated; d. recording the settings of the apparatus when so adjusted such that the patient may later be re-positioned on the apparatus in exactly the same manner with the sensor adjacent the same portion of the patient; e. measuring the force applied to the sensor by the patient upon moving the muscles under evaluation; and, f. recording the data so obtained whereby the patient may be repeatedly tested over a period of time to evaluate his muscular condition improvement or deterioration.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of evaluating muscular condition comprising the steps of: a. positioning a patient on an adjustable calibrated supporting apparatus; b. adjusting the apparatus to accommodate the physical make-up of the patient; c. further adjusting the apparatus to position a force sensor adjacent a portion of the patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be evaluated; d. recording the settings of the apparatus when so adjusted such that the patient may later be re-positioned on the apparatus in exactly the same manner with the sensor adjacent the same portion of the patient; e. measuring the force applied to the sensor by the patient upon moving the muscles under evaluation; and, f. recording the data so obtained whereby the patient may be repeatedly tested over a period of time to evaluate his muscular condition improvement or deterioration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 including the additional step of providing the sensor with a remotely positioned indicator means operably coupled thereto for remotely indicating the magnitude of the force sensed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of establishing performance tables indicative of the relative muscular condition of a person as compared to other persons of similar physical make-up, comprising the steps of: a. providing an adjustable calibrated apparatus including patient support means and force sensor support means which may be adjustably positioned to receive patients of a wide range of physical builds and to position a force sensor means adjacent various portions of the patients positioned in the apparatus; b. testing a large number of patients each in accordance with the following steps: i. positioning a patient in the apparatus; ii. adjusting the apparatus to accommodate the physical make-up of the patient so positioned; iii. further adjusting the apparatus to position the force sensor adjacent a portion of the patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be evaluated; iv. recording the settings of the apparatus so positioned in order that other patients of similar physical make-up may be positioned in exactly the same manner in the apparatus and so tested; and, v. measuring and recording the force applied to the sensor by the patient upon moving the muscles under evaluation; and, c. compiling the test information so obtained into tables corresponding to the physical make-up of the persons so tested such that a range of performance characteristics may be established for patients of various physical make-ups.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
229 words
A method of establishing performance tables indicative of the relative muscular condition of a person as compared to other persons of similar physical make-up, comprising the steps of: a. providing an adjustable calibrated apparatus including patient support means and force sensor support means which may be adjustably positioned to receive patients of a wide range of physical builds and to position a force sensor means adjacent various portions of the patients positioned in the apparatus; b. testing a large number of patients each in accordance with the following steps: i. positioning a patient in the apparatus; ii. adjusting the apparatus to accommodate the physical make-up of the patient so positioned; iii. further adjusting the apparatus to position the force sensor adjacent a portion of the patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be evaluated; iv. recording the settings of the apparatus so positioned in order that other patients of similar physical make-up may be positioned in exactly the same manner in the apparatus and so tested; and, v. measuring and recording the force applied to the sensor by the patient upon moving the muscles under evaluation; and, c. compiling the test information so obtained into tables corresponding to the physical make-up of the persons so tested such that a range of performance characteristics may be established for patients of various physical make-ups.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for evaluating the muscular condition of muscles of a patient, comprising: a. an adjustable calibrated apparatus including patient support means and force sensor support means; b. force sensor means carried by said force sensor support means and adapted to engage a portion of a patient''s body; c. said patient support means comprising relatively movable members which are adjustable to adapt said patient support means to receive and support patients of a wide range of physical make-ups, said patient support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the relative positions of said members to accommodate a patient of a particular physical make-up may be reproduced at a later time when working with the same patient or a patient of similar physical make-up; d. said force sensor support means and sAid patient support means being relatively movable to adjustably position said froce sensor means adjacent a predetermined portion of a patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be tested; e. said force sensor support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the apparatus to position said force sensor means adjacent said predetermined portion of said patient may be reproduce at a later time; and, f. indicator means connected to said force sensor means for providing an indication of the force applied to the force sensor by movement of the muscles under evaluation.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
233 words
An apparatus for evaluating the muscular condition of muscles of a patient, comprising: a. an adjustable calibrated apparatus including patient support means and force sensor support means; b. force sensor means carried by said force sensor support means and adapted to engage a portion of a patient''s body; c. said patient support means comprising relatively movable members which are adjustable to adapt said patient support means to receive and support patients of a wide range of physical make-ups, said patient support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the relative positions of said members to accommodate a patient of a particular physical make-up may be reproduced at a later time when working with the same patient or a patient of similar physical make-up; d. said force sensor support means and sAid patient support means being relatively movable to adjustably position said froce sensor means adjacent a predetermined portion of a patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be tested; e. said force sensor support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the apparatus to position said force sensor means adjacent said predetermined portion of said patient may be reproduce at a later time; and, f. indicator means connected to said force sensor means for providing an indication of the force applied to the force sensor by movement of the muscles under evaluation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 4: a. including a frame which comprises horizontally extending track means engaging said force sensor support means and said patient support means; and wherein b. one of said support means is rigidly secured to said track means while the other support means is movable along said track means relative to said one support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein: a. said patient support means comprises a platform which may be adjusted to receive and support a patient in sitting or lying positions; and, b. said platform is calibrated such that the adjustments made to position a particular patient may be recorded and reproduced at a later time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: a. said force sensor support means comprises frame means having relatively movable components which may be adjusted to position said force sensor means adjacent a selected portion of the body of a patient; and, b. said frame means is calibrated such that the adjustments made to position said force sensor means may be recorded and reproduced at a later time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said force sensor support means is rigidly secured to said track means and said patient support means is movable along said track means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said patient support means is rigidly secured to said track means and said force sensor support means is movable along said track means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said frame means includes carriage means movable relative to said patient support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said frame means additionally includes substantially vertically extending track means mounting said carriage means for movement relative to said patient support means, said vertically extending track means and said carriage means having calibration markings associated therewith such that the position of said carriage means relative to said patient support means can be recorded and later reproduced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said carriage means includes a substantially horizontally extending force sensor mounting means adjustably secured thereto, and calibration markings are associated with said mounting means such that the position of said mounting means may be recorded and later reproduced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said force sensor mounting means comprises an angularly adjustably mount for a force sensor, said mount having calibration markings associated therewith such that the angular position of a force sensor can be recorded and later reproduced.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
291 words
An apparatus for evaluating the muscular condition of selected groups of muscles of a patient, comprising: a. an adjustable calibrated apparatus including patient support means and force sensor support means; b. force sensor means carried by said force sensor support means and adapted to engage a portion of a patient''s body; c. said patient support means and said force sensor support means having portions extending into engagement with each other to define a translational path of relative movement whereby said support means are movable relative to each other along said path; d. said portions having calibration markings associated therewith such that the relative positions of said support means may be recorded and later reproduced; e. said patienT support means comprising relatively movable members which are adjustable to adapt said patient support means to receive and support patients of a wide range of physical make-ups, said patient support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the relative positions of said members to accommodate a patient of a particular physical make-up may be reproduced at a later time when working with the same patient or a patient of similar physical make-up; f. said force sensor support means being adjustable to position said force sensor means adjacent a predetermined portion of a patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be tested, said force sensor support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the apparatus to position said force sensor means adjacent said predetermined portion of said patient may be reproduced at a later time; and, g. indicator means associated with said force sensor means for providing an indication of the force applied to the force sensor by movement of the muscles under evaluation.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
291 words
An apparatus for evaluating the muscular condition of selected groups of muscles of a patient, comprising: a. an adjustable calibrated apparatus including patient support means and force sensor support means; b. force sensor means carried by said force sensor support means and adapted to engage a portion of a patient''s body; c. said patient support means and said force sensor support means having portions extending into engagement with each other to define a translational path of relative movement whereby said support means are movable relative to each other along said path; d. said portions having calibration markings associated therewith such that the relative positions of said support means may be recorded and later reproduced; e. said patienT support means comprising relatively movable members which are adjustable to adapt said patient support means to receive and support patients of a wide range of physical make-ups, said patient support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the relative positions of said members to accommodate a patient of a particular physical make-up may be reproduced at a later time when working with the same patient or a patient of similar physical make-up; f. said force sensor support means being adjustable to position said force sensor means adjacent a predetermined portion of a patient which is movable in response to movement of such muscles as are to be tested, said force sensor support means being calibrated such that the adjustments made in the apparatus to position said force sensor means adjacent said predetermined portion of said patient may be reproduced at a later time; and, g. indicator means associated with said force sensor means for providing an indication of the force applied to the force sensor by movement of the muscles under evaluation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said force sensor means comprises a tension force responsive device including movable members, means biasing said members toward each other, and signal generating means coupled between said members for indicating the relative position of said members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said force sensor means comprises a compression force responsive device including relatively movable members, means biasing said members apart, and signal generating means coupled between said members for indicating the relative position of said members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said force sensor means includes first and second relatively movable members, biasing means engaging each of said members, signal generating means coupled between said members for indicating their relative position, said first member being adapted for mounting on said frame, and said second member being adapted to carry a muscle engaging device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first member comprises a housing telescopically receiving said second member, and said biasing means is disposed within said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said force sensor means additionally includes a muscle engaging device carried by said second member, said muscle engaging device being lightly padded to comfortably engage a portion of the patient''s body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said force sensor comprises a tension force responsive device and said muscle engaging device includes portions engageable with certain portions of a patient''s body for applying a tension force to said force sensor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said force sensor comprises a compression force responsive device and said muscle engaging device includes portions engageable with certain portions of a patient''s body for applying a compression force to said force sensor.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for evaluating the muscular condition of muscles of a patient by positioning the patient in a predetermined attitude and measuring the static force which the patient is able to exert along a plurality of pre-selected axes comprising: a. patient support means for receiving and supporting a patient, said patient support means comprising relatively movable members which are adjustable to adapt said patient support means to receive and support the particular body build of the patient under evaluation, said patient support means being calibrated such that adjustments made in the relative positions of said members to accommodate that patient may be reproduced later to facilitate positioning of that patient or another patient of similar body build in a desired testing attitude; b. force sensor means for selectively engaging predetermined portions of the patient''s body and for generating a signal representative of the static force which the patient is able to exert on said force sensOr means along an axis; c. force sensor support means coupled to said patient support means for supporting said force sensor means, said force sensor support means being adjustable and calibrated to facilitate the positioning of said force sensor means in contact with a selected portion of the patient so as to measure the force which he is able to exert along a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined axes.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for evaluating the muscular condition of muscles of a patient by positioning the patient in a predetermined attitude and measuring the static force which the patient is able to exert along a plurality of pre-selected axes comprising: a. patient support means for receiving and supporting a patient, said patient support means comprising relatively movable members which are adjustable to adapt said patient support means to receive and support the particular body build of the patient under evaluation, said patient support means being calibrated such that adjustments made in the relative positions of said members to accommodate that patient may be reproduced later to facilitate positioning of that patient or another patient of similar body build in a desired testing attitude; b. force sensor means for selectively engaging predetermined portions of the patient''s body and for generating a signal representative of the static force which the patient is able to exert on said force sensOr means along an axis; c. force sensor support means coupled to said patient support means for supporting said force sensor means, said force sensor support means being adjustable and calibrated to facilitate the positioning of said force sensor means in contact with a selected portion of the patient so as to measure the force which he is able to exert along a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined axes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 22 additionally including indicator means operably coupled to said force sensor means for providing a visual indication of the force applied to said force sensor means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 22 additionally including track means interposed between said patient support means and said force sensor means for facilitating the repositioning of said force sensor means relative to the patient.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 24 additionally including locking means associated with said track means for releasably locking said force sensor means in a desired position relative to the patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said force sensor support means includes carriage means movable along said track means for positioning said force sensor means in a desired position relative to the patient.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said force sensor means comprises first and second members, one received telescopically within the other, means axially biasing said members toward a predetermined neutral position, and means for generating a signal representative of the force applied in moving said members axially relative to each other away from said neutral position.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said biasing means is pre-selected in accordance with the range of force which will be exerted to move said first and second members relative to each other, such that the biasing means exerts a biasing force of a magnitude which will limit the axial relative movement of the members to a range which is less than one inch in length, whereby the variation in positioning of the patient during testing is minimized.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said force sensor means comprises two assembled relatively movable members, one being carried by said force sensor support means and the other having first attachment means thereon for detachably mounting a muscle engaging device, said apparatus including a plurality of differently shaped muscle engaging devices respectively adapted for engagement with different parts of a patient''s body and each having attachment means cooperable with said first attachment means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said force sensor support means comprises a mounting bar and means rigidly supporting said bar at locations spaced longitudinally of the bar, said force sensor means being mounted on said bar.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 30 in which said force sensor support means and said patient support means are relatively movable in one direction, and in which said mounting bar extends in a direction transverse to said one direction and said force sensor means is adjustably positionable along said mounting bar in said transverse direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |