System and method for noninvasively evaluating a limb suspected of compartment syndrome

A method for a user to evaluate a limb suspected of compartment syndrome, the method comprising the following steps:

• applying increasing pressure to the limb being evaluated over a predetermined time period, the pressure being applied by a distal end of an applicator instrument, the distal end including a force plate and a force probe which are slidable relative to one another in response to the increasing pressure;
• monitoring the predetermined time period by way of a timing signal detectable by the user;
• sensing and measuring the pressure applied to the force probe, storing a series of pressure measurements over the predetermined time period;
• sensing and measuring the distance between a distal end of the force plate and a distal end of the force probe, storing a series of distance measurements over the predetermined time period;
• plotting a curve corresponding to the stored pressure and distance measurements;
• analyzing the curve by way of linear regression to determine the hardness of the limb;
• making a medical diagnosis on the basis of the hardness.

A method for evaluating a limb comprising the following steps:

• applying pressure to the limb being evaluated, the pressure being applied by a distal end of an applicator instrument, the distal end including a force plate and a force probe which move relative to one another in response to the applied pressure;
• monitoring the time period during which the pressure is applied by way an audible indicator;
• sensing the pressure applied to the force probe, storing a series of pressure measurements;
• sensing the distance between a distal end of the force plate and a distal end of the force probe, storing a series of distance measurements.