초록 ▼

A non-invasive system and method are provided for determining the presence or absence of neural, muscular, soft tissue, bone or joint damage or other disease affecting a person's hand. A preferred system includes a plurality of digit contact members, one of which is engageable by the person's thumb

A non-invasive system and method are provided for determining the presence or absence of neural, muscular, soft tissue, bone or joint damage or other disease affecting a person's hand. A preferred system includes a plurality of digit contact members, one of which is engageable by the person's thumb and others which are engageable by other digits of the hand, at least one of the other digits being innervated by the ulnar nerve. Force detectors are operatively connected to at least two of the digit contact members for measuring the quantity of force applied to the respective digit contact members by at least one digit innervated by the median nerve and a digit innervated by the ulnar nerve, as they engage in a natural gripping motion. The measured forces may be used to calculate quality indices useful in the diagnosis of disease and the monitoring of progression of disease.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A method for qualitatively evaluating a digital performance of a person comprising:measuring a first applied force as a function of time, said force being applied by a thumb to a first force detector, to determine a first data set;measuring a second applied force as a function of

[ I claim:] [1.]1. A method for qualitatively evaluating a digital performance of a person comprising:measuring a first applied force as a function of time, said force being applied by a thumb to a first force detector, to determine a first data set;measuring a second applied force as a function of time, said force being applied by a digit innervated by the median nerve to a second force detector, to determine a second data set;measuring a third applied force as a function of time, said force being applied by a digit innervated by the ulnar nerve to a third force detector, to determine a third data set; andcross-correlating the first second and third data sets to create a patient digital performance profile.