Screening test for detection of deep vein thrombosis

An apparatus for assessing a subject at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), comprising:

• a receiver, configured to receive a signal from a transmitter associated with at least one motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is adapted to be fixed, in use, to at least one of a first muscle and a second muscle of the subject, and is configured to transmit a signal representing motion of the sensor;
• and
• a signal processor, configured to analyse first and second data sets received via the receiver from the at least one motion sensor, the first data set representing a first decaying oscillatory mechanical response of the first muscle of the subject resulting from a first percussive mechanical impulse applied to the first muscle while suspended in a relaxed and unsupported state, the second data set representing a second decaying oscillatory mechanical response of the second muscle of the subject resulting from a second percussive mechanical impulse applied to the second muscle while suspended in a relaxed and unsupported state, wherein the analysis comprises:
• determining a first parameter set characterizing the first decaying oscillatory mechanical response,
• determining a second parameter set characterizing the second decaying oscillatory mechanical response, and
• comparing the first parameter set with the second parameter set to identify differences therebetween, indicative of a possible presence of DVT in the subject.

An analysis method for assessing a subject at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first data set representing a first decaying oscillatory mechanical response of a first muscle of the subject resulting from a first percussive mechanical impulse applied to the first muscle while suspended in a relaxed and unsupported state;
• receiving a second data set representing a second decaying oscillatory mechanical response of a second muscle of the subject resulting from a second percussive mechanical impulse applied to the second muscle while suspended in a relaxed and unsupported state;
• analyzing the first data set to determine a corresponding first parameter set characterizing the first decaying oscillatory mechanical response;
• analyzing the second data set to determine a second parameter set characterizing the second decaying oscillatory mechanical response;
• and
• comparing the first parameter set with the second parameter set to identify differences therebetween, indicative of a possible presence of DVT in the subject.

A method of assessing a subject at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), comprising the steps of:

• applying a first percussive mechanical impulse to a first muscle of the subject while the first muscle is suspended in a relaxed and unsupported state, resulting in a first decaying oscillatory mechanical response of the first muscle;
• acquiring a first data set representing the first decaying oscillatory mechanical response of the first muscle, and analysing the first data set to obtain a first parameter set characterising the first decaying oscillatory mechanical response;
• applying a second percussive mechanical impulse to a second muscle of the subject while the second muscle is suspended in a relaxed and unsupported state, resulting in a second decaying oscillatory mechanical response of the second muscle;
• acquiring a second data set representing the second decaying oscillatory mechanical response of the second muscle, and analysing the second data set to obtain a second parameter set characterising the second decaying oscillatory mechanical response;
• and
• comparing the first parameter set and the second parameter set to identify differences therebetween, indicative of a possible presence of DVT in the subject.