Device and process for measurement and treatment of spinal mobility

A device for the measurement of spinal mobility comprising:

• (a) an impulse and sensing head capable of determining spinal segment mobility by applying a force impulse, at an angle of incidence, to a spinal segment, and generating a wave form characteristic of spinal mobility;
• (b) an inclinometer disposed within the head, the inclinometer being able to determine the angle of incidence in at least one axis;
• (c) data acquisition circuitry which captures the wave form;
• and
• (d) signal generating components attached to the data acquisition circuitry, the inclinometer, and the head for generating a signal corresponding to the angle of incidence of the head.

A process of measuring spinal mobility which comprises:

• (a) generating an impulse of a known force with a percussion source;
• (b) transmitting the impulse through a piezoelectric sensor into an integument overlaying a spinal segment so that the piezoelectric sensor generates a wave form having characteristics of the mobility of the spinal segment;
• (c) capturing the wave form in a computer;
• and
• (d) interpreting the characteristics of the wave form so as to make a correlation between mobility of the spinal segment and the characteristics of the wave form, wherein an inclinometer is connected to said piezoelectric sensor.

A process of measuring spinal mobility, comprising:

• (a) generating an impulse of known force with a percussive source;
• (b) transmitting said impulse through a sensor into an integument overlaying a spinal segment so that said sensor generates a wave form;
• (c) measuring the angle of incidence of said sensor in contact with said integument;
• (d) capturing said wave form;
• and
• (e) interpreting the characteristics of said wave form.

A device for treating spinal ailments, comprising:

• (a) a probe configured to contact a spinal segment at an angle of incidence;
• (b) a sensor attached to said probe;
• (c) an impulse source attached to said sensor;
• and
• (d) an inclinometer configured to determine the angle of incidence of said probe in contact with said spinal segment.

A device for treating spinal ailments comprising:

• (a) a probe configured to contact a spinal segment at an angle of incidence;
• (b) a piezoelectric sensor attached to said probe;
• (c) an anvil attached to said sensor;
• (d) an electromagnetic coil;
• (e) an armature carried within said electromagnetic coil and configured so that when said coil is energized, said armature is accelerated to impact said anvil and thereby produce a force impulse which travels through said piezoelectric sensor and said probe to said spinal segment and causes said piezoelectric sensor to generate a wave form characteristic of spinal mobility;
• and
• (f) an inclinometer configured so that said inclinometer can determine the angle of incidence of said probe in contact with said spinal segment when said wave form is generated.

A device for treating spinal aliments comprising:

• (a) an impulse and sensing head for applying a force impulse, at an angle of incidence, to a spinal segment, and for generating a wave form;
• (b) an inclinometer disposed within said head, said inclinometer for determining the angle of incidence along at least one axis;
• (c) data acquistion circuitry for capturing said wave form;
• and
• (d) signal generating components for generating a signal corresponding to the angle of incidence of said head when said head applies an impulse.

A device, comprising:

• (a) a probe configured to contact a spinal segment at an angle of incidence;
• (b) a sensor attached to said probe;
• (c) an impulse source attached to said sensor;
• and
• (d) an inclinometer configured to determine the angle of incidence of said probe in contact with said spinal segment.