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US 9,307,906 B2Granted
Multimodal automated sensory testing system
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsSteven E. Harte, Grant H. Kruger, Daniel Clauw
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AssigneeThe Regents of the University of Michigan
InventorsSteven E. Harte, Grant H. Kruger, Daniel Clauw
Estimating the term…
A computer-controlled sensory testing system is disclosed that can be used to further pain research and aid in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pain syndromes. The system includes actuators to deliver pressure/deformation (strain), auditory, olfactory, and other stimuli to a subject. The system includes software to control the delivery of the stimuli. The system is further operable to receive feedback regarding the stimuli received.
A stimulator system for sensory testing of a subject by stimulating a portion of the subject and receiving feedback from the subject, comprising:
A method of operating a sensory stimulation system and receiving a feedback from a subject regarding sensory stimulation, comprising:
A pressure stimulator system for sensory testing at least a digit of a human user and a feedback system from the human user, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons: remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals…
Detecting, measuring or recording by applying mechanical forces or stimuli: by applying pressure, e.g. compression, indentation, palpation,…
Other medical applications: touch or pain perception evaluation
Touch or pain perception evaluation: assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold
About 5 years 11 months of term left · ends 28 Sep 2032 (estimated)
The present technology relates to neurological diagnostic systems including methods and devices for monitoring and managing patient pain.
Physicians place an important role on patterns of pain in the diagnosis and management of their patients. Manual palpitation is a standard method of examination, but can have certain drawbacks, namely that the procedure is subjective and lacks the precision necessary to accurately assess, for example, the degree of inflammation of arthritic patients. The limitations of manual palpitation have been addressed by providing mechanical devices known as dolorimeters, algesiometers or algometers (the terms are used synonymously herein).
A dolorimeter is an instrument used to measure pain threshold and tolerance. Dolorimetry refers to the measurement of pain sensitivity or pain intensity. Several kinds of dolorimeters have been developed, including dolorimeters that apply pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation to some area, or move a joint or other body part and determine what level of heat, pressure, electric current, or amount of movement produces a sensation of pain. For example, pressure may be applied through pneumatic means using a blunt object, by locally increasing the pressure on some area of the body, or by pressing a sharp instrument against the body.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a Multimodal Automated Sensory Testing System;
FIG. 1A is a graph of measured stress and strain plotted relative to subject pain;
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. The following definitions and non-limiting guidelines must be considered in reviewing the description of the technology set forth herein.
The headings (such as “Introduction” and “Summary”) and sub-headings used herein are intended only for general organization of topics within the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the technology or any aspect thereof. In particular, subject matter disclosed in the “Introduction” may include novel technology and may not constitute a recitation of prior art. Subject matter disclosed in the “Summary” is not an exhaustive or complete disclosure of the entire scope of the technology or any embodiments thereof. Classification or discussion of a material within a section of this specification as having a particular utility is made for convenience, and no inference should be drawn that the material must necessarily or solely function in accordance with its classification herein when it is used in any given composition.