# US 7,074,198 B2 · Methods for treatment and prevention of disorders resulting from hypertension of neck and shoulder muscles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,074,198 B2 - Document ID: US7074198B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/268,614 - Filed: 2002-10-09 - Published: 2003-08-07 - Granted: 2006-07-11 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-09 - Assignees: Tensor Corporation; Smartsense B.V. - Inventors: Robert Leonard Krullaards - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7074198B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/6887: {mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices} - A61B 5/225: {of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force} - A61B 5/6804: {Garments; Clothes} - A61B 5/4528: {Joints (A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Methods for treatment and prevention of disorders resulting from hypertension of neck and shoulder muscles, in particular hypertension of the scalenius muscles, comprise administering a training regime to a subject suffering from the disorders, whereby the training regime comprises manipulating an object while maintaining a pinch-grip force exerted by the fingers on the object below a given threshold value. The object preferably has a pressure sensor that generates a signal when the pinch-grip force exceeds the threshold value. The object may be a writing instrument whereby the training may comprise writing exercises. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating a patient having or at risk of having hypertension of the scalenius muscles, said method comprising: providing an object held by pinch-grip force by the patient, said object generating a signal when the pinch-grip force exceeds a first threshold value in range of 100 grams–250 grams; and providing instructions to the patient to manipulate the object with a pinch-grip force below the threshold value, wherein compliance is monitored based on the signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is in range from 150 grams–175 grams. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the object generates a second signal when the time measured from the moment when the first threshold value is exceeded, exceeds a second threshold value. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, wherein the first threshold value is in the range from 150 grams–175 grams. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method according to claim 4, wherein the second threshold value for the measured time is 2.5 seconds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, wherein only the second signal is generated. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3, wherein the first and second signals are generated by feeding to a collective signaling device on the object. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the patient has hypertension and an exercise is continued until the hypertension of the scalenius muscles is reduced or released. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, whereby the release or reduction of hypertension of the scalenius muscles is measured by an increase in blood flow velocity in the artery radialis or artery subclavia. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method according to claim 9, whereby the blood flow velocity is measured by ultrasound or optical Doppler velocimetry. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A method according to claim 9, whereby an exercise is continued until the mean blood flow velocity in the artery radialis or artery subclavia is increased by at least 10%. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, whereby the release or reduction of hypertension of the scalenius muscles is measured by an increase in the rotation angle of the Cervical Range of Motion as determined by the muscular resistance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method according to claim 12, whereby an exercise is continued until the rotation angle of the Cervical Range of Motion is increased by at least 10 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, whereby an exercise is continued for at least 1 minute. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, whereby an training regime comprises performing an exercise at least once per day. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, whereby the object is a writing instrument, a mouse or similar computer input device, a stroke-making element for use in sport, an element for playing a musical instrument, or a tool. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, whereby the writing instrument is a sensorpen that generates at least one signal when at least one of a first, second or third threshold value is exceeded, whereby at least one of the first, second or third threshold value of the equivalent sensorpen is set or adjusted to a value that does not differ by more than 75% from the corresponding average value as set in the sensorpen. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16, 17) A method according to claim 16 or 17, whereby the writing instrument is an instrument that comprises a sensor that generates a fourth signal when the pressure exerted on the writing surface exceeds a fourth threshold value. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, whereby the fourth threshold value is at least 60 grams–70 grams. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, whereby an exercise is a writing exercise. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the patient has hypertension and the hypertension results from a disorder is selected from the group of disorders consisting of repetitive strain injury, acute and chronic post-whiplash syndromes, arthrose and pre-arthrose, discopathy, including narrowing of the discs or herniated discs coinciding with pressure on the nerve roots and associated motor control deficiencies and sensory disorders, reflex dystrophy in the upper extremities and other vegetative disorders, including dizziness and tinnitis, resulting from hypertension in the neck area, tendinitidis, venous obstruction or reduced venous blood flow, coordination disorders during writing, writingcramp in children, frozen shoulders and shoulders arthritis or capsulitis resulting from immobilization or trauma, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndromes resulting from venous obstruction or reduced venous blood flow. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, whereby a training regime is administered to the subject through a telecommunication interface. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A method according to claim 22, whereby the telecommunication interface is a computer connected to a computer network.