US4748987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acoustic myography
Assignee: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Filing: 1985-09-25
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Granted: 1988-06-07
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Expires: 2005-09-25
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic signals generated by muscles during contraction are used, in accordance with the invention, to generate signals responsive to muscle activity, measure muscle fatigue and excitation-contraction decoupling, provide a biofeedback response, control cybernetic systems, and control prosthetic devices. Such myoacoustic signals, when compared against myoelectric signals permit the extent of contraction of muscles to be compared against the excitation thereto. Moreover, a plurality of such myoacoustic signals can be compared synchronously against one another in a multichanneled recorder to analyse dynamic muscle problems, such as situations which result in poor posture and improper gait. These myoacoustic signals can also be used to drive prosthetic devices which are currently driven by myoelectric signals. It is an advantage of the present invention that myoacoustic signals can be analyzed using circuitry which is currently available and in use for analyzing myoelectric signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel T. Barry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B7/00; A61B7/006; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/68; A61F2/70; A61F2/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of determining muscle fatigue, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal responsive to electrical activity in the tissue of the muscle; receiving a second signal in the form of an acoustic signal generated within the tissue of the muscle in response to contraction activity of the muscle; and comparing said first and second signals for determining an extent of excitation-contraction decoupling.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of determining muscle fatigue, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first signal responsive to electrical activity in the tissue of the muscle; receiving a second signal in the form of an acoustic signal generated within the tissue of the muscle in response to contraction activity of the muscle; and comparing said first and second signals for determining an extent of excitation-contraction decoupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second signal is an acoustic signal having an amplitude responsive to a force against which the muscle is contracting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein there are provided the further steps of: timing a duration of said contraction; and monitoring said second signal during said duration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second signals is received after being subtractively combined with an associated signal for reducing noise in said at least one signal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of analyzing dynamic muscle situations in a living body, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of acoustic signals generated by contraction activity of skeletal muscles within the living body; and recording said plurality of acoustic signals.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of analyzing dynamic muscle situations in a living body, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of acoustic signals generated by contraction activity of skeletal muscles within the living body; and recording said plurality of acoustic signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said plurality of acoustic signals are received from respective associated locations in the vicinity of the living body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said plurality of acoustic signals correspond to muscular contraction sounds of a plurality of muscles in the living body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of recording said plurality of acoustic signals is performed on a multichannel recorder whereby said acoustic signals are converted into respective waveforms and respective, synchronized time scales.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said step of recording said plurality of acoustic signals comprises the further step of converting at least selected one of said acoustic signals into corresponding digital signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said digital signals are analyzed by a processor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein at least one of said acoustic signals is received from a transducer disposed in the living body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said transducer is inserted into the living body in a catheter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-07 | 1991-12-07 | 1992-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-07 | 1995-12-07 | 1996-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-07 | 1999-12-07 | 2000-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |