Measurement apparatus and method
AssigneeGlenn Rosendahl
InventorGlenn Rosendahl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for assessing the strength of a user is disclosed which includes pneumatic reservoir means adapted to be repeatedly vented by the user, and measuring means for measuring parameters indicative of strength, work, work rate and speed of muscle contraction of the user in evacuating the reservoir means.
Claims32
An apparatus for assessing a user's strength, said apparatus comprising:
- a deformable reservoir for venting by the user by deformation thereof during a testing sequence of reported ventings;
- a constant volume chamber in fluid communication with said deformable reservoir to receive fluid vented from said deformable reservoir,
- measuring means operatively coupled to said constant volume chamber for measuring fluid parameters indicative of at least one of strength, work, work rate and speed of muscle contraction of the user associated with evacuation of said reservoir into said constant volume chamber during the testing sequence, and
- display means operatively connected to said measuring means for displaying said indicative parameters;
- wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring the pressure in said constant volume chamber.
An apparatus for assessing a user's strength, said apparatus comprising:
- a deformable reservoir for venting by the user by deformation thereof during a testing sequence of repeated ventings;
- a constant pressure valve operable at a predetermined pressure and connected to said deformable reservoir to thereby define the pressure to be exceeded before said reservoir can be vented;
- measuring means operatively connected to said constant pressure valve for measuring parameters indicative of at least one of strength, work, work rare and speed of muscle contraction of the user associated with evacuation of said reservoir during the testing sequence, and
- display means operatively connected to said measuring means for displaying said indicative parameters;
- wherein said measuring means includes means for measuring the volume expelled from said constant pressure valve.
An apparatus as claimed 22, wherein said measuring means comprises means calculating parameters indicative of strength, work, work rate and speed of muscle contraction of the user.
A method of assessing and treating muscle weakness, comprising:
- causing a patient to repeatedly vent fluid from a deformable reservoir during a testing sequence of repeated ventings;
- selectively maintaining at least some of the vented fluid at substantially constant conditions as the patient repeatedly vents the fluid from the deformable reservoir;
- allowing at least some of the vented fluid to escape the substantially constant conditions;
- and
- measuring parameters of the vented fluid allowed to escape the substantially constant conditions, said parameters being indicative of at least one muscle performance parameter selected from the group consisting of strength, work, work rate and speed of muscle contraction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.