U.S. patent application number 13/289793 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for sensor web device for measuring electromyographic signals.
Invention is credited to Charles Dean CYPHERY, Marco N. Vitiello.
Application Number | 20120143032 13/289793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46025141 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120143032 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CYPHERY; Charles Dean ; et
al. |
June 7, 2012 |
SENSOR WEB DEVICE FOR MEASURING ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC SIGNALS
Abstract
A sensor web device is provided for measuring EMG
(electromyographic) signals. The device has a base sheet and a
plurality of EMG sensors disposed on the base sheet. The plurality
of EMG sensors are arranged so that a desired EMG signal of a
muscle in a human body is obtained by a corresponding one of the
plurality of EMG sensors.
Inventors: |
CYPHERY; Charles Dean;
(Albuquerque, NM) ; Vitiello; Marco N.; (Miami,
FL) |
Family ID: |
46025141 |
Appl. No.: |
13/289793 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61344893 |
Nov 5, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/384 ;
600/382; 600/391; 600/393 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/389 20210101;
A61B 2562/0219 20130101; A61B 2562/046 20130101; A61B 5/296
20210101; A61B 5/225 20130101; A61B 5/743 20130101; A61B 5/224
20130101; A61B 5/0022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/384 ;
600/393; 600/391; 600/382 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/0492 20060101
A61B005/0492 |
Claims
1. A sensor web device for measuring EMG (electromyographic)
signals, comprising: a base sheet; and a plurality of EMG sensors
disposed on the base sheet, wherein the plurality of EMG sensors in
the base sheet are arranged so that a desired EMG signal of a
muscle in a human body is obtained by a corresponding one of the
plurality of EMG sensors.
2. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein the base sheet is made of a
flexible material.
3. The sensor web of claim 2, wherein the flexible material include
a textile, a fabric, or a plastic film.
4. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of EMG
sensors includes an amplifier.
5. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of EMG
sensors have an adhesive portion for removably adhering to the
outside surface of human skin.
6. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality of
EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a thoracic area
are located.
7. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality of
EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to an ankle are
located.
8. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality of
EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a carpal tunnel
area are located.
9. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality of
EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a hip and groin
are located.
10. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality
of EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to lower
extremities are located.
11. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality
of EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a lumbosacral
front area are located.
12. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality
of EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a lumbosacral
rear area are located.
13. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality
of EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a cervical
area are located.
14. The sensor web of claim 1, wherein locations of the plurality
of EMG sensors correspond to where muscles related to a shoulder
are located.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. provisional
application No. 61/344,893 filed on Nov. 5, 2010, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a sensor device for
measuring multiple signals by the use of multiple interconnected
surface electromyographic sensors arranged in a pre-defined pattern
at various locations on a human body.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Sensors for monitoring muscle signals for data collection
are used with dynamic muscle function monitoring and evaluating
systems. The details of such a system are described in a co-pending
application filed on Nov. 5, 2011 concurrently with this
application, the entire contents of which are incorporated by
reference herein. In this system, sensor data is directly fed into
a point of detection (POD) device for conditioning, acquiring, and
transmitting the sensor data. The sensors include, for example, but
are not limited to, a surface EMG (sEMG) sensor, a motion detection
sensor, and a functional capacity evaluator (FCE) such as a
conventional FCE or the FCE disclosed herein. The POD device
acquires continuous analog signals, conditions them, and then
digitizes these signals These digital data are then transferred
wirelessly to a computer system for processing using software.
[0004] The discovery of the presence of electromyographic (EMG)
signals in the muscles of humans, and the change of these signals
with muscle activity, spawned development of dedicated electronic
devices and techniques for monitoring those signals for the
evaluation of the muscles.
[0005] The size of a patient's muscle, range and dynamics of motion
of the patient's muscle, the strength of a patient's muscles, and
the electrical characteristics of the muscles provide information
useful to a clinician making treatment decisions for a patient. The
same information also may be useful to determine the existence,
severity or cause of an injury and whether an injury is acute or
chronic for purposes of determining questions of insurance or other
liability.
[0006] The EMG signals given off by the muscles are relatively weak
(on the order of millivolts) and it is important that the devices
used to monitor and record the EMG signals do not introduce noise
thereby making it extremely difficult to interpret the signals.
[0007] In the past, individual electrodes were placed at
appropriate points on a patient's body and then an individual
numbered wire was connected to each of the electrodes (up to 38). A
previous system (e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/504,031
and 11/914,385, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference) ran cabling from the patient to the device
where all signal conditioning occurred and because of the millivolt
(0-5 mV) amplitude and cable lengths (.about.6') required,
specialized, shielded, and heavy cabling was required. This was
extremely expensive, time-consuming and prone to error.
SUMMARY
[0008] In order to overcome these issues, the present disclosure is
directed to a mesh or web of sEMG sensors arranged in a manner to
allow very quick and accurate placement of all electrodes.
[0009] The present application discloses a sensor web device for
measuring EMG (electromyographic) signals. The device comprises a
base sheet and a plurality of EMG sensors disposed on the base
sheet, wherein the plurality of EMG sensors are arranged so that a
desired EMG signal of a muscle of a human body is obtained by a
corresponding one of the plurality of EMG sensors.
[0010] In the aforementioned device, the base sheet is made of a
flexible material.
[0011] In the aforementioned device, the flexible material includes
textile, fabric, or a plastic film.
[0012] In the aforementioned device, each of the plurality of EMG
sensors includes an amplifier.
[0013] In the aforementioned device, each of the plurality of EMG
sensors have an adhesive portion for adhering to the outside of
human skin.
[0014] In the aforementioned device, the plurality of EMG sensors
are detachably attached to the base sheet.
[0015] In the aforementioned device, the plurality of EMG sensors
may be arranged to correspond to where muscles related to any of an
ankle, carpal tunnel, hip and groin, lower extremities, front or
rear lumbosacral region, cervical spine, a shoulder, or thoracic
spine are located.
[0016] The system in the present disclosure is used for muscular
testing by acquiring muscle contraction patterns and/or testing
range-of-motion and functional capacity using surface EMG
electrodes. The system can be specialized to test, for example,
cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines as well as upper and lower
extremities. The system can collect and display muscle function
data and characteristics including tone, fatigue, as well as other
activities that take place in the muscle. This system can be used
in a number of arenas such as occupational and sports medicine, and
rehabilitation clinics.
[0017] Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth
in part in the description which follows and in part will become
apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination
of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned
from production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the
present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use
of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a sensor of an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0019] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a top view of two embodiments of the
connecting regions of a sensor web of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 2C shows a sensor connector of the present
disclosure.
[0021] FIGS. 3A-C show muscles related to an ankle and a sensor web
for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related
to an ankle.
[0022] FIGS. 4A-E show muscles related to a carpal tunnel region
and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of
muscles related to a carpal tunnel region.
[0023] FIGS. 5A-C show muscles related to a hip and groin and a
sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of
muscles related to a hip and groin.
[0024] FIGS. 6A-C show muscles related to lower extremities and a
sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of
muscles related to lower extremities.
[0025] FIGS. 7A-D show muscles related to front and rear
lumbosacral regions and a sensor web for use in measuring
electromyographic signals of muscles related to front and rear
lumbosacral regions.
[0026] FIGS. 8A-C show muscles related to a cervical spine and a
sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of
muscles related to a cervical spine.
[0027] FIGS. 9A-E show muscles related to a shoulder and a sensor
web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles
related to a shoulder.
[0028] FIGS. 10A-B show muscles related to a thoracic spine and a
sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of
muscles related to a thoracic spine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it
should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present
teachings may be practiced without such details. In other
instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or
materials have been described at a relatively high-level, without
detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the
present teachings.
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a sensing portion of a sensor according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing portion has two
sensor pads 30 for measuring EMG (electromyographic) signals of
muscles. Two sensor pads 30 are used to measure the differential
signal of the muscle. This allows the user to measure the voltage
signals of the muscle and ascertain the health of the body part
being studied.
[0031] The sensor pads 30 are attached to a base sheet 20. The
sensor pads are attached by any conventional means. In certain
embodiments, the sensor pads 30 are laminated to the base sheet
20.
[0032] The sensor pads 30 contain a solid core gel that is very
sticky and allow each sensor pad 30 to fasten itself to a patient.
It is an electrically conductive material specifically designed to
transmit sEMG signals. Any conventional material may be used for
the solid core gel that is sufficient to adhere to the outer
surface of human skin and conduct muscle activity. In some
embodiments, a silver chloride based gel is used for the solid core
gel.
[0033] Around the area of the sensor pads 30, the base sheet 20 has
a tab 25 that protrudes outward from the base sheet to allow a user
to easily grasp the base sheet for easy removal of the sensor web
from the patient.
[0034] The sensor pads 30 have wires/traces 40 that serve as signal
lines connected to them in order to transmit measured voltage
signals from the sensor pad 30 to a POD. The wires 40 are also
attached to the base sheet 20 by any conventional means. In some
embodiments, the wires/traces 40 are attached to the base sheet by
a laminate in the form of a flex circuit. The wires/traces 40 are
connected to the main processing unit via a connecting region 50
(see FIG. 2A). In some embodiments, 16 wires/traces 40 reside
between the locating pins.
[0035] FIGS. 2A and 2B show two embodiments of connecting regions
of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A shows a connecting region 50 in
which wires/traces 40 terminate at an end portion of the base sheet
20 that connects externally to a main processing unit. In this
embodiment, two locating pin holes 56 are set through the base
sheet 20 to align the sensor web 100 properly to an external unit.
The holes 56 in each sensor web are arranged such that one sensor
connector 70 (as shown in FIG. 2C) may attach to each of the sensor
webs in order to accurately determine which sensor web is being
utilized. At a terminal end of the base sheet 20, a set of sensor
ID pins 60, including one ground sensor ID pin 61, are located to
mate with a sensor connector 70.
[0036] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, a connecting region
150 has four locating pin holes 156 through the base sheet 120 for
connecting the wires 140 to a sensor connector.
[0037] All of the sensor webs connect to the same sensor connector
70 (see FIG. 2C), but are identified to the POD by means of a
sensor identification technique which uses a 5 bit binary pattern
from the sensor ID pins 60. On each connector 70, there are 6
traces 74 where a signal (likely 5V) is injected on and then the 5
non-ground pins 60 are connected together and read by the POD
indicating which sensor web is currently connected. Of the six
lines, ground 61, 161 is dedicated as a transistor-transistor logic
(TTL) level signal line from the POD which is then connected to one
or some of the other 5 lines in a bit pattern that uniquely
identifies the web. These 5 return lines 60, 160 enable 32 possible
combinations of identifiable devices. One ground pin 61/161 and
five or more signal ID lines therefore, allow for identification of
32 or more unique sensor webs.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2C, one embodiment of a sensor connector 70
is a clamshell design that is to clamp down onto the connecting
region 50 of the sensor web, mating the locating pin holes 56 to
locating pins 72. The locating pins 72 slip down over for accurate
positioning. The locating pins 72 are approximately the same size
as the locating pin holes 56, 156 for accurate clamping of the
sensor connector 70 to the connecting region 50 of the sensor web.
The sensor connector 70 is made of a lightweight plastic and has a
self locking and spring loaded clamping mechanism to clamp down on
the connecting region 50 of the sensor web.
[0039] The sensor connector 70 contains the instrumentation
amplifier/first gain stage. This allows transmission of `normal`
voltage signals back to the POD rather than the ultralow (0-5 mV)
sEMG signals. There are no electronics (other than signal traces)
in or on the sensor webs as any components added there will greatly
increase the manufacturing complexity and cost of each web, which
are intended to be disposable.
[0040] The sensor connector 70 initial amplification stage includes
an instrumentation amplifier which takes the muscle's differential
pair, removes the common mode and outputs an amplified single-ended
signal. This is then passed through a cable to the POD where the
single-ended signals are further amplified and filtered through
several Op-Amp stages. Once fully conditioned, all signals are then
multiplexed and fed into an analog to digital converter (ADC).
[0041] Sensor webs are used to interface to and read surface EMG
(sEMG) muscle activity. The sensor webs have pre-placed
self-adhering electrodes that conform to the muscle locations
dictated by each protocol.
[0042] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3C, a custom ankle sensor
web 300 is used to evaluate muscle activity of an ankle. As is
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the custom ankle sensor web 300 evaluates
the following muscles: (1) right tibialis anterior, (2) right
gastrocnemius, (3) right lateral ankle, and (4) right medial ankle
of a right ankle. The custom ankle sensor web 300 also evaluates
the (5) left tibialis anterior, (6) left gastrocnemius, (7) left
lateral ankle, and (8) left medial ankle of a left ankle.
[0043] The custom ankle sensor web 300 attaches sensor pads 30 to
half of the 8 muscles listed in FIGS. 3A and 3B, as one custom
ankle sensor web 300 is used for each ankle.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3C, the base sheet 320 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the ankle when the custom ankle sensor web 300
is placed around the ankle.
[0045] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 350
via the wires 340. Two wires 340 each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The connecting area 350 has 6 sensor ID pins 360,
one of which is the ground ID pin 361, for connecting to a sensor
connector 70 (see FIG. 2C). Locating pin holes 356 are used to help
align the sensor connector accurately to the custom ankle sensor
web 300 via the connecting region 350.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4E, a carpal tunnel sensor
web 400 is used to evaluate muscle activity of a carpal tunnel area
of a human body. As is shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the carpal tunnel
sensor web 400, in conjunction with the cervical area web 800 (see
FIG. 8C), evaluates the following muscles: (1) right
sternocleidomastoid, (2) right scalene, (3) right paracervical, (4)
right upper trapezius, (5) right deltoid, (6) right biceps, (7)
right triceps, (8) right wrist flexor, (9) right wrist extensor,
(10) right thenar/palmar, (11) right medial epicondyle, and (12)
right lateral epicondyle of the right carpal tunnel area.
[0047] The carpal tunnel sensor web 400 also evaluates, in
conjunction with the cervical area web 800 (see FIG. 8C), the (13)
left sternocleidomastoid, (14) left scalene, (15) left
paracervical, (16) left upper trapezius, (17) left deltoid, (18)
left biceps, (19) left triceps, (20) left wrist flexor, (21) left
wrist extensor, (22) left thenar/palmar, (23) left medial
epicondyle, and (24) left lateral epicondyle of the left carpal
tunnel area.
[0048] The carpal tunnel sensor web 400 attaches sensor pads 30 to
half of the 24 muscles listed in FIGS. 4A-4D, as one carpal tunnel
sensor web 400 is used for one carpal tunnel area.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 4E, the base sheet 420 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the carpal tunnel area when the carpal tunnel
sensor web 400 is placed at the carpal tunnel area.
[0050] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 450
via the wires 440. Two wires 440 each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The connecting area 450 has 6 sensor ID pins 460,
one of which is the ground ID pin 461, for connecting to a sensor
connector 70. Locating pin holes 456 are used to help align the
sensor connector accurately to the carpal tunnel sensor web 400 via
the connecting region 450.
[0051] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, a hip and groin sensor
web 500 is used to evaluate muscle activity of a hip and groin. The
hip and groin sensor web 500 is used to evaluate two different sets
of muscles in the hip and groin area. As is shown in FIG. 5A, the
hip and groin sensor web 500 evaluates the following muscles on the
front side of the human body: (3) right iliopsoas, (4) right rectus
abdominus, (5) right abdominal oblique, (6) right gracilis, (10)
left iliopsoas, (11) left rectus abdominus, (12) left abdominal
oblique, and (13) left gracilis of a front hip and groin area of a
human body. As shown in FIG. 5B, the hip and groin sensor web 500
also evaluates the following muscles on the rear side of the human
body: (1) right paraspinal L5-S1, (2) right gluteus maximus, (7)
right hamstrings, (8) left paraspinal L5-S1, (9) left gluteus
maximus, and (14) left hamstrings. Thus, the hip and groin sensor
web 500 attaches sensor pads 30 to the front located muscles
related to the hip and groin, and alternately to the back located
muscles related to the hip and groin.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 5C, the base sheet 520 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the hip and groin when the hip and groin
sensor web 500 is placed either on the front part of the hip and
groin area or the back part of the hip and groin area.
[0053] In FIG. 5C, the sensor pads 30 are connected to the
connecting area 550 via the wires 540. Two wires 540 each are used
to connect each sensor pad 30. The hip and groin sensor web 500 has
two connecting areas 550, each with 6 sensor ID pins 60, one of
which is the ground ID pin 561, for connecting to two sensor
connectors 70 (see FIG. 2C). Locating pin holes 556 are used to
help align the sensor connector 70 accurately to the hip and groin
sensor web 500 via the connecting regions 550.
[0054] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, a lower extremities
sensor web 600 is used to evaluate muscle activity of the lower
extremities of a human body. As is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
lower extremities sensor web 600 evaluates the following muscles:
(1) right anterior thigh, (2) right hamstrings, (3) right tibialis
anterior, and (4) right gastrocnecius of a right side of a human
body. The lower extremities sensor web 600 also evaluates the (5)
left anterior thigh, (6) left hamstrings, (7) left tibialis
anterior, and (8) left gastrocnecius of a left side of a human
body.
[0055] The lower extremities sensor web 600 attaches sensor pads 30
to half of the 8 muscles listed in FIGS. 6A and 6B, as one lower
extremities sensor web 600 is designed for one side of a human body
in the lower extremities region.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 6C, the base sheet 620 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the lower extremities when the lower
extremities sensor web 600 is placed around the lower
extremities.
[0057] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 650
via the wires 640. Two wires 640 each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The connecting area 650 has 6 sensor ID pins 660,
one of which is the ground ID pin 661, for connecting to a sensor
connector 70 (see FIG. 2C). Locating pin holes 656 are used to help
align the sensor connector accurately to the lower extremities
sensor web 600 via the connecting region 650.
[0058] FIGS. 7C-D show two embodiments for monitoring the front and
rear lumbosacral regions. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and
C, a front lumbosacral sensor web 700 is used to evaluate muscle
activity of the front lumbosacral region of a human body. As is
shown in FIG. 7A, the front lumbosacral sensor web 700 evaluates
the following muscles on a front lumbosacral area of a human body:
(5) right rectus abdominis, (6) right abdominal oblique, (12) left
rectus abdominis, and (13) left abdominal oblique. The front
lumbosacral sensor web 700 attaches sensor pads 30 to the front
located muscles related to the front lumbosacral area.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 7C, the base sheet 720 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the front lumbosacral area when the front
lumbosacral sensor web 700 is placed on the front lumbosacral
area.
[0060] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 750
via the wires 740. Two wires 740 each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The connecting area 750 has 6 sensor ID pins 760,
one of which is the ground ID pin 761, for connecting to a sensor
connector 70 (see FIG. 2C). Locating pin holes 756 are used to help
align the sensor connector accurately to the front lumbosacral
sensor web 700 via the connecting region 750.
[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7B and D, a rear
lumbosacral sensor web 700a is used to evaluate muscle activity of
the rear lumbosacral region. As is shown in FIG. 7B, the rear
lumbosacral sensor web 700a evaluates the following muscles on the
rear lumbrosacral area of the human body: (1) right paraspinal
L1-L3, (2) right paraspinal L3-S1, (3) right quadratus lumborum,
(4) right gluteus maximus, (7) right hamstrings, (8) left
paraspinal L1-L3, (9) left paraspinal L3-S1, (10) left quadratus
lumborum, (11) left gluteus maximus, and (14) left hamstrings. The
rear lumbosacral sensor web 700a attaches sensor pads 30 to the
rear located muscles related to the rear lumbosacral area.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 7D, the base sheet 720a is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the rear lumbosacral area when the rear
lumbosacral sensor web 700a is placed on the rear lumbosacral
area.
[0063] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 750a
via the wires 740a. Two wires 740a each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The rear lumbosacral sensor web 700a has two
connecting areas 750a, each with 6 sensor ID pins 760a, one of
which is the ground ID pin 761a, for connecting to two sensor
connectors 70 (see FIG. 2C). Locating pin holes 756a are used to
help align the sensor connector 70 accurately to the rear
lumbosacral sensor web 700a via the connecting regions 750a.
[0064] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8C, a cervical sensor web
800 is used to evaluate muscle activity of the cervical spine area
of a human body. As is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the cervical
sensor web 800 evaluates the following muscles: (1) right
sternocleidomastoid, (2) right scalene, (3) right paracervical, and
(4) right upper trapezius of the front part of the cervical area,
and (5) left sternocleidomastoid, (6) left scalene, (7) left
paracervical, and (8) left upper trapezius of the rear part of the
cervical spine area.
[0065] The cervical sensor web 800 attaches sensor pads 30 to the
eight muscles listed in FIGS. 8A and 8B, as one cervical sensor web
800 is designed to cover the entire cervical spine area.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 8C, the base sheet 820 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the cervical spine area when the cervical
sensor web 800 is placed around the cervical spine area.
[0067] In FIG. 8C, the sensor pads 30 are connected to the
connecting area 850 via the wires 840. Two wires 840 each are used
to connect each sensor pad 30. The connecting area 850 has 6 sensor
ID pins (not shown), one of which is the ground ID pin (not shown),
for connecting to a sensor connector 70. Locating pin holes (not
shown) are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to
the cervical sensor web 800 via the connecting region 850 (see FIG.
2C).
[0068] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9E, a shoulder sensor web
900 is used to evaluate muscle activity of a shoulder. As is shown
in FIGS. 9A-9D the shoulder sensor web 900 in conjunction with the
cervical web 800 evaluates the following muscles: (1) right
scalene, (2) right paracervical, (3) right upper trapezius, (4)
right pectoralis, (5) right supraspinatus, (6) right teres major,
(7) right latissimus dorsi, (8) right deltoid, (9) right biceps,
(10) right medial epicondyle, and (11) right lateral epicondyle of
a right shoulder. The shoulder sensor web 900 also evaluates the
following muscles of the left shoulder: (12) left scalene, (13)
left paracervical, (14) left upper trapezius, (15) left pectoralis,
(16) left supraspinatus, (17) left teres major, (18) left
latissimus dorsi, (19) left deltoid, (20) left biceps, (21) left
medial epicondyle, and (22) left lateral epicondyle.
[0069] The shoulder sensor web 900 attaches sensor pads 30 to half
of the 22 muscles listed in FIGS. 9A-D, as one shoulder sensor web
900 is designed for one shoulder each.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 9E, the base sheet 920 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the shoulder when the shoulder sensor web 900
is placed around the shoulder.
[0071] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 950
via the wires 940. Two wires 940 each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The connecting area 950 has 6 sensor ID pins 960,
one of which is the ground ID pin 961, for connecting to a sensor
connector 70 (see FIG. 2C). Locating pin holes 956 are used to help
align the sensor connector accurately to the shoulder sensor web
900 via the connecting region 950.
[0072] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, a thoracic area sensor
web 1000 is used to evaluate muscle activity of the thoracic spine
area. As is shown in FIG. 10A, the thoracic area sensor web 1000
evaluates the following muscles: (1) right middle trapezius, (2)
right lower trapezius, (3) right paraspinal T5-T8, (4) right
paraspinal T8-T12, (5) right latissimus dorsi, and (6) right
serratus posterior of the right part of the thoracic area, and (7)
left middle trapezius, (8) left lower trapezius, (9) left
paraspinal T5-T8, and (10) left paraspinal T8-T12, (11) left
latissimus dorsi, (12) right serratus posterior of the left part of
the thoracic spine area.
[0073] The thoracic area sensor web 1000 attaches sensor pads 30 to
the 12 muscles listed in FIG. 10A, as thoracic spine area sensor
web 1000 is designed to evaluate the thoracic spine area.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 10C, the base sheet 1020 is specifically
formed such that the sensor pads 30 will be in close proximity to
the muscle groups of the thoracic area when the thoracic area
sensor web 1000 is placed around the thoracic area.
[0075] The sensor pads 30 are connected to the connecting area 1050
via the wires 1040. Two wires 1040 each are used to connect each
sensor pad 30. The connecting area 1050 has 6 sensor ID pins 1060,
one of which is the ground ID pin 1061, for connecting to a sensor
connector 70. Locating pin holes 1056 are used to help align the
sensor connector accurately to the thoracic area sensor web 1000
via the connecting region 1050 (see FIG. 2C).
[0076] As discussed above, there is a dedicated sensor web for each
muscle group (i.e. cervical, ankle, etc.), but there are many cases
where certain sensor webs are reused. For example, the cervical web
is used by itself to evaluate cervical muscle groups, but the same
muscles (and sensor web) may also be used in the carpal tunnel and
shoulder muscle groups. In addition, more than one sensor web may
be utilized to evaluate a muscle group.
[0077] The system in the present disclosure is used for muscular
testing by acquiring muscle contraction patterns and/or testing
range-of-motion and functional capacity using surface EMG
electrodes. The system can be specialized to test, for example,
cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines as well as upper and lower
extremities. The system can collect and display muscle function
data and characteristics including tone, fatigue, as well as other
activities that take place in the muscle. This system can be used
in a number of arenas such as occupational and sports medicine, and
rehabilitation clinics.
[0078] Although certain specific examples have been disclosed, it
is noted that the present teachings may be embodied in other forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present examples described above are considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The patent scope is
indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within
the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore
intended to be embraced therein.
[0079] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings,
positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set
forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow,
are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable
range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate
and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.
[0080] The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that
now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be
as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language
that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this
specification and the prosecution history that follows and to
encompass all structural and functional equivalents.
Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject
matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102,
or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a
way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby
disclaimed.
[0081] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been
stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause
a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit,
advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is
or is not recited in the claims.
[0082] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used
herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and
expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of
inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise
been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second
and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action
from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual
such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The
terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof,
are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a
process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of
elements does not include only those elements but may include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,
article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a" or "an" does
not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of
additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or
apparatus that comprises the element.
[0083] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the
reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure.
It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to
interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,
in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various
features are grouped together in various embodiments for the
purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure
is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the
claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single
disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby
incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
* * * * *