Quantification of force during soft tissue massage for research and clinical use

A method of quantifying an applied force to soft tissue, comprising:

• applying, with a pressure applicator of a quantification soft tissue mobilization (QSTM) device, a three-dimensional (3D) stroking mechanical force by a user in continuous and repeated straight or curved planar gliding motions over a body surface on an area of soft tissue;
• measuring, with a sensor member of the QSTM device that includes a three-axis force sensor, a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyrometer, changing magnitudes of the 3D stroking mechanical force being applied, changing angles of the 3D stroking mechanical force being applied, and a plurality of parameters of the 3D stroking mechanical force to provide real-time data feedback to the user as the user is moving the pressure applicator in the continuous and repeated straight or curved planar gliding motions over the body surface on the area of the soft tissue, the plurality of parameters including a stroke duration and a stroke frequency of the 3D stroking mechanical force;
• receiving, by an electronic assembly of the QSTM device, outputs from the three-axis force sensor, the three-axis accelerometer and the three-axis gyrometer comprising the sensor member;
• providing, by the electronic assembly of the QSTM device, data integration of the outputs of the three-axis force sensor, the three-axis accelerometer and the three-axis gyrometer;
• and
• transmitting, by the electronic assembly of the QSTM device, the outputs to be visually displayed.

A manually-operated quantification soft tissue mobilization (QSTM) device, comprising:

• a pressure applicator integrally formed with a rigid handle such that the pressure applicator is immovable relative to the QSTM device and configured to contact an area of soft tissue of a patient and is adapted to be moved by a user to dynamically apply a three-dimensional (3D) stroking mechanical force to the contacted area of soft tissue as the pressure applicator is moved by the user in continuous and repeated straight or curved planar gliding motions over the contacted area of soft tissue, wherein a sole stimulus applied to the contacted area of soft tissue by the pressure applicator is the 3D stroking mechanical force and the 3D stroking mechanical force results from user generated movements of the rigid handle;
• the rigid handle extending from the pressure applicator and including a first portion and a second portion removably coupled to the first portion;
• a sensor member including a three-axis force sensor, a three-axis accelerometer, a three-axis gyrometer and a timer, the sensor member configured to measure changing magnitudes of the 3D stroking mechanical force being applied, changing angles of the 3D stroking mechanical force being applied, and a plurality of parameters of the 3D stroking mechanical force in real-time as the pressure applicator is moved by the user in the continuous and repeated straight or curved planar gliding motions over the contacted area of the soft tissue, the plurality of parameters including a stroke duration and a stroke frequency of the 3D stroking mechanical force;
• an electronic device electronically coupled to the sensor member and configured to provide data integration of outputs from the three-axis force sensor, the three-axis accelerometer and the three-axis gyrometer;
• a power supply;
• a visual display electronically coupled to the electronic device that provides real-time data feedback to the user regarding the 3D stroking mechanical force on the contacted area of soft tissue;
• and
• a computing device having a memory and operably coupled to the visual display;
• wherein the electronic device and/or the computing device is configured to record and store data measured by the sensor member associated with the 3D stroking mechanical force.

A method of treating an area of soft tissue of a patient, comprising:

• providing a dynamically applied three-dimensional (3D) stroking mechanical force by a handheld device as a sole stimulus to the area of soft tissue, the handheld device including a sensor member, a rigid handle and a pressure applicator, the pressure applicator being integrally formed with the rigid handle and immovable relative to the handheld device by contacting the area of soft tissue with the pressure applicator, the 3D stroking mechanical force resulting from movements of the rigid handle by a user of the handheld device in continuous and repeated straight or curved planar gliding motions over the area of soft tissue;
• measuring changing magnitudes of the 3D stroking mechanical force being applied, changing angles of the 3D stroking mechanical force being applied, and a plurality of parameters of the 3D stroking mechanical force by the sensor member, the sensor member including a three-axis force sensor, a three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis gyrometer, the plurality of parameters including a stroke duration and a stroke frequency of the 3D stroking mechanical force;
• receiving outputs of the three-axis force sensor, the three-axis accelerometer and the three-axis gyrometer;
• providing data integration of the outputs of the three-axis force sensor, the three-axis accelerometer and the three-axis gyrometer;
• determining one or more treatment parameters related to the area of soft tissue being treated with the 3D stroking mechanical force;
• visually displaying real-time data feedback to the user regarding the one or more treatment parameters related to the area of soft tissue being treated with the 3D stroking mechanical force;
• monitoring the real-time data feedback;
• adjusting the 3D stroking mechanical force provided to the area of soft tissue based upon the real-time data feedback;
• and
• storing the real-time data feedback regarding the one or more treatment parameters related to the area of soft tissue being treated with the 3D stroking mechanical force.