Abstract: The invention provides a body motion detector that allows a user to check whether he/she makes motion with appropriate motion intensity for every motion thereby to obtain an excellent exercise effect while exercising such as walking and running. While a user makes motion, a CPU determines whether the user makes appropriate motion by the amplitude, the period, and the detection frequency of an acceleration signal inputted from an acceleration sensor unit, and when it is determined that the user makes appropriate motion, operates an alarm generator thereby to notify the user that he/she makes motion with appropriate motion intensity.

Abstract: A method for measuring the acoustic damping capacity of a material or structure, such as a layered honeycomb structure, comprises tapping the honeycomb structure with a tapping rod. The tapping action imparts mechanical energy to the honeycomb structure. The method further comprises measuring, for a time interval, energy reflected from the honeycomb structure as a result of the tapping. The method further comprises creating a time-energy profile based on the energy reflected from the honeycomb structure during the time interval. The method further comprises evaluating the time-energy profile to determine the acoustic damping capacity of the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A method for measuring the acoustic damping capacity of a material or structure, such as a layered honeycomb structure, comprises tapping the honeycomb structure with a tapping rod. The tapping action imparts mechanical energy to the honeycomb structure. The method further comprises measuring, for a time interval, energy reflected from the honeycomb structure as a result of the tapping. The method further comprises creating a time-energy profile based on the energy reflected from the honeycomb structure during the time interval. The method further comprises evaluating the time-energy profile to determine the acoustic damping capacity of the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the stability of a tooth in the gum or an implant in the body is constructed to include a holder for holding a test object to be examined, an impact device disposed at one side of the holder for striking the test object, causing the test object to produce vibrations, and sensor means disposed at one side of the holder for detecting the vibrations produced by the test object upon the striking of the impact device against the test object.

Abstract: A method for measuring the acoustic damping capacity of a material or structure, such as a layered honeycomb structure, comprises tapping the honeycomb structure with a tapping rod. The tapping action imparts mechanical energy to the honeycomb structure. The method further comprises measuring, for a time interval, energy reflected from the honeycomb structure as a result of the tapping. The method further comprises creating a time-energy profile based on the energy reflected from the honeycomb structure during the time interval. The method further comprises evaluating the time-energy profile to determine the acoustic damping capacity of the honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A mechanical tapper clips onto the end of a stethoscope. The device is operated by pressing a small plunger with the index finger of the hand holding the end of the stethoscope onto the patient's body to aid the percussion portion of a physical exam.

Abstract: A system for determining anesthetic state of a subject includes a brain monitor configured to measure at least one parameter of brain activity of the subject and to provide at least one brain monitor output signal indicative of the measured at least one parameter, a stimulator configured to apply a non-surgical stimulus perturbation to the subject and to provide at least one stimulus output signal indicative of timing and intensity of non-surgical stimuli applied to the subject, an analyzer coupled to the brain monitor and the stimulator and configured to receive the at least one brain monitor output signal and the at least one stimulus output signal, to determine a stimulus difference between the non-surgical stimulus intensity in the absence of the perturbation and in the presence of the perturbation, to determine a monitor difference between the a first value of the at least one parameter in the absence of the perturbation and a second value of the at least one parameter in the presence of the perturbation

Abstract: A mechanical tapper clips onto the end of a stethoscope. The device is operated by pressing a small plunger with the index finger of the hand holding the end of the stethoscope onto the patient's body to aid the percussion portion of a physical exam.

Abstract: A body motion detector, to be attached to or carried by a user for detecting body motions of the user, uses a plurality of sensors each for detecting body motions in a specified direction to output a body motion signal according to the user's body motion. These sensors are disposed so as to detect the body motion in different directions. One of these sensors are selected by carrying out calculations on signals outputted from the sensors. The user's body motion is detected by using selectively output signals from the selected body motion sensor. The body motion detector may also include a component for detecting the orientation of the body motion detector itself from signals outputted from these sensors and another component for detecting the user's body motions by carrying out calculations on the signals outputted from these sensors, corresponding to the orientation as detected by the orientation detecting component.

Abstract: Methods and questionnaires are provided for assessing pain.

Abstract: A combined stethoscope and reflex hammer. Preferably, the head of the reflex hammer is incorporated into an o-ring securing the diaphragm membrane of the stethoscope chest piece so that a standard stethoscope may be easily retrofitted to add the reflex hammer function. A rigid handle for the reflex hammer is provided by a penholder rigidly affixed to the stethoscope in proximity to the chest piece. The pen may be provided with a penlight so that the combined instrument also provides that function in addition to providing a writing pen, a reflex hammer and a stethoscope.

Abstract: Studies investigating posteroanterior (PA) forces in spinal stiffness assessment have shown relationships to spinal level, body type, and lumbar extensor muscle activity. Little objective evidence is available discerning variation in PA stiffness and its clinical significance. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to determine the stiffness index and neuromuscular characteristics of the asymptomatic and symptomatic low back. Twenty-two subject underwent physical examination and completed outcome VAS, Oswestry, and SF-36 questionnaires. A hand-held spinal manipulation instrument, equipped with a load cell and accelerometer was used to deliver high rate (<0.1 sec) PA manipulative thrusts (450 N) to several common spinal landmarks including the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), sacral base, and L5, L4, L2, T12, T8 spinous (SP) and transverse processes (TP).

Abstract: An apparatus 10 has a probe 22 disposed within a housing 12. A distal end 18 of the probe 22 is adapted to contact a surface of the articular cartilage and a proximal end 26 of the probe 22 is disposed within the housing 12. The apparatus 10 also includes a mass 28 disposed within the housing 12 at a position spaced from the proximal end 26 of the probe 22, and an accelerator 30 coupled to the mass 28 and configured to accelerate the mass 28 to a predetermined velocity. The mass 28, when accelerated to the predetermined velocity, creates a force that is applied to the proximal end 26 of the probe 22, thereby transmitting the predetermined force through the distal end 24 of the probe 22 to the cartilage. The mechanical response of the cartilage to the application of the force applied by the distal end 24 of the probe 22 is detected and used to assess the biomechanical condition of the cartilage.

Abstract: An instrument for a health practitioner to use in the course of a neurological or physical examination includes: a cylindrical, battery-operated penlight device, a pin prick mechanism, a reflex hammer and/or measuring device, and/or a vibratory mechanism. The pin prick mechanism includes: (a) a removable cylindrical pin dispenser carousel which fits closely over one end of the instrument, and has adjacent pin compartments around the periphery of the pin dispenser carousel, each compartment being capable of loosely holding a straight pin; (b) a recessed band at one end of the instrument, which the pin dispenser carousel fits down over; and (c) a slide mechanism for pushing a portion of a single straight pin from the carousel compartment up through an aperture at the top of the pin dispenser carousel. The pin dispenser carousel is rotatable to a next pin position for repeated use.

Abstract: The method and device for recording mechanical oscillations in soft biological tissues consists of the following: biological tissue is mechanically influenced by means of the testing end (6) of the device and its mechanical responses are subsequently recorded as a graph representing the evoked oscillations. Prior to that, an inflexible plane means (12) is fastened onto the biological tissue in order to designate the area under investigation and connect the testing end with the tissue, causing no harm to the latter. After that the testing end will be inflexibly connected with the inflexible plane means for the time period it takes to influence the tissue mechanically and record its mechanical response.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring quantitatively the energy damping capacity of a specimen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tip of the polymer sleeve of the handpiece of the system is placed directly against the specimen to be tested. The alignment of the handpiece is aided by the polymer tip which maintained the handpiece approximately orthogonal to the specimen surface and a level indicator for aiding the user to keep the handpiece approximately horizontal. Upon the pressing of a finger switch on the handpiece, a magnetic coil within the handpiece propels a tapping rod strikes the specimen multiple times per cycle creating stress waves that traveled through the tapping rod. Vibrations are attenuated by the polymer sleeve so as to not disturb the sensitive measurements. An accelerometer within the handpiece coupled with the tapping rod measures signals corresponding to the resulting stress waves.

Abstract: A reflex hammer having a shaft, a head and a clip. The shaft extends from a neck to a handle and has an inner stiffner encapsulated by a polymeric material body. The polymeric material body extends from the neck of the shaft to form the head. The clip is secured to the reflex hammer along the shaft for securely carrying the reflex hammer.

Abstract: A method for predicting peripheral nerve damage comprising the steps of placing a pressure transducer on the skin of a patient proximate to a peripheral nerve; measuring the pressure with the pressure transducer over time; and estimating a damage to the nerve based on the pressure and duration of application and a nerve damage model.

Abstract: A method for measuring and recording reflex response includes the steps of attaching an electrode to a first part of a test subject, connecting the electrode to an electrocardiograph, striking a body part of the test subject to elicit a reflex response, or stimulating a reflex by electrical current directed to the tendon, the current being similar to one generated by an electromyograph or a cardiac pacemaker, and measuring and recording the reflex response on the electrocardiograph. The method provides a simple, reliable procedure for producing accurate recordings of a patients reflex responses.

Abstract: A device for testing a shoulder of a patient includes a base with a pivot arm extending therefrom. A force indicator is located at the extended end of the arm and a movement indicator is mounted on the device at its base. In order to prepare for the operation of the device, the patient is placed to effectively hold the shoulder stationary. The base of the device is then positioned on the clavicle and the force indicator is positioned on the humeral head. Preferably, the force indicator is secured to the shoulder with a strap. To test the shoulder once the device is properly positioned on the patient, a force is applied to the force indicator. This applied force is transferred directly to the humeral head and the results of its application are recorded. Specifically, the magnitude of the applied force is measured by the force indicator and the movement of the humeral head relative to the clavicle is measured by the movement indicator. The recorded measurements are then used for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: An improved Doppler tissue imaging mode combines two Doppler image parameters developed as respective functions of receive signals acquired from a single firing event to generate a combined image parameter for display. In one example, the combined image parameter has a color hue that varies in a piecewise linear way with Doppler tissue velocity or Doppler tissue acceleration and a color value or intensity that varies linearly with Doppler tissue energy. Because the same firing events are used to develop both Doppler image parameters for a given region of tissue, high temporal and/or spatial resolution is made possible.

Abstract: A non-destructive and non-invasive method and apparatus determines the structural integrity of discrete pieces of material, such as bone, medical implants and structural parts by determining the impact ratio of a striking mass that impacts and rebounds from the material. The impact ratio is equal to the ratio of instantaneous velocity of the striking mass immediately after the impact to the instantaneous velocity of the striking mass immediately prior to impact. A means can be used to force the striking mass towards the material to impact the material. In this case, the measured history of the displacement during the impact and the rebound are used to compute the impact ratio, the ratio being directly related to the impact reaction of the material. The impact ratio can be used to determine the structural integrity of the material or the onset of osteoporosis.

Abstract: The density of a discrete piece of hard tissue such as a bone in a patient may be determined by either of two methods. In a first method, an impulse of energy is introduced into the tissue, and the resulting vibration in the hard tissue is sensed and analyzed to compute the modal damping factor of the tissue, the modal damping factor being directly related to the density of the tissue. In a second method, a continuous energy input is introduced into the hard tissue. The resulting vibration in the tissue is measured with a mechano-electrical vibration transducer and a modal damping factor is calculated. The electro-mechanical vibration transducer of the preferred embodiment measures the pressure with which the transducer is pressed against the patient's flesh and only produces the continuous energy input when a predetermined pressure is achieved which is sufficient to prevent any significant vibration of the flesh surrounding the bone.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing and monitoring osteoporosis includes the steps of:stimulating the tibia of a patient, to create a pulse that progresses in the bone, which can be registered as a function of time;measuring accelerations of the pulse at at least two spaced locations, at an interval from the point of stimulation and at an interval from one another, as a temporal function, both measurement points being at a distance of at least 1/6 of the length of the tibia from its nearest end;measuring the diameter of the bone to provide a quantity depicting the geometry of the bone, at a predetermined point on the tibia and estimating the density of the bone tissue at the same point,measuring the velocity V of a pulse in the bone to provide a quantity depicting the condition of the bone, over at least one measurement interval;calculating at least one of the following factors over at least one measurement interval:a coefficient R, dependent on the variation of the bone tissue,a coefficient K, dependent on changes in th