Apparatus and method for determining angle of incl

专利名称：Apparatus and method for determining

angle of inclination and range of motion ofvarious human joints therefrom

发明人：Robert W. Rose,John D. Truelove,Carl K.

Barniak

申请号：US08/0787申请日：19930709公开号：US05373858A公开日：19941220

摘要：An apparatus and method used to determine angle of inclination and the rangeof motion of various human joints therefrom, such as, for example, cervical flexion. Theapparatus of one preferred embodiment is a computerized arthrometer which is a stand-alone automated apparatus. Output can be provided to a printer for hard copy or to acomputer for storage or further manipulation of data. Each sensor or inclinometer usedin the preferred embodiment employs a pair of Hall effect transducers spaced about arotating ring magnet. The voltage output of the transducers can be evaluated toaccurately determine the angle of inclination. In another preferred embodiment, insteadof the magnet and transducers, the sensors can include circular sensor having six

capacitive sectors, each sector changing capacitance as the circular sensor is rotated. Thesix capacitance values are evaluated to determine the angle of inclination. Anotherembodiment incorporates the apparatus into readily available \"personal computers\"(\"PCs\"). By employing a pair of sensors for selected range of motion tests, measurementaccuracy is increased by compensating for the effects of secondary motion, for example,

compensating for forward or backward movement of the torso when measuring cervicalflexion or cervical extension, respectively.

申请人：TECHNOSTIX, INC.

代理机构：Middleton & Reutlinger

更多信息请下载全文后查看