Muscle function assessment apparatus and method

A method of assessment of the function of at least one deep muscle of a subject including the steps of:

• establishing a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
• monitoring the activity of said at least one superficial muscle while the subject performs at least one prescribed activity;
• analyzing the activity of said at least one superficial muscle during the prescribed activity and the baseline level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle to produce an indication of the function of said of at least one deep muscle;
• monitoring the activity of said at least one deep muscle, simultaneously when monitoring the activity of said at least one superficial muscle and analyzing the activity of said at least one deep muscle to provide an indication of the function of said at least one deep muscle;
• and
• further including the step of establishing a substantial level of activity of said at least one superficial muscle and analyzing the substantial level of activity to give an indication of function of said at least one deep muscle.

An apparatus for assessing the function of at least one deep muscle comprising:

• means for establishing signals indicative of a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
• monitoring means to monitor activity of said at least one superficial muscle and produce signals characteristic of muscle activity;
• display means to display the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity and the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle;
• and
• analysis means to analyze the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity in relation to the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle to produce an indicator of the function of said at least one deep muscle.

An apparatus for assessing the function of at least one deep muscle comprising:

• means for establishing signals indicative of a baseline level of activity of at least one superficial muscle;
• monitoring means to monitor activity of said at least one superficial muscle and produce signals characteristic of muscle activity;
• display means to display the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity and the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle;
• pressure monitoring means for monitoring changes in force exerted by muscles;
• visualizing means to view said at least one deep muscle;
• and
• analysis means to analyze the signals indicative of a baseline level of activity in relation to the signals characteristic of muscle activity of said at least one superficial muscle, the changes in force exerted by muscles and changes visualized in said at least one deep muscle, to produce an indicator of the function of said at least one deep muscle.