Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the functional motion characteristics of the spine in each of three planes. The apparatus is designed to be mounted on the back of a patient, and it includes an exoskeleton of T-shaped elements which resemble the spinous process and the transverse process of the spine. The elements each include a central bore for receiving a cable, and three separate openings for receiving a wire therethrough. The cable is attached to a potentiometer which measures twisting movement of the spine, and each of the three wires is attached to a separate potentiometer so as to measure flexing in the and sagittal and lateral planes. The signals from the potentiometers are processed so as to provide, for each of the three planes, a measurement of the angular position of the spine as a function of time, the angular velocity as a function of time, and the angular acceleration as a function of time.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the movement and force production of the lumbar spine during flexion and extension in each of several sagittal-frontal planes of the body, as well as during movement into he transverse (twisting) plane. The apparatus includes a rotatable platform upon which the patient is adapted to stand, and the platform is pivotable about a vertical axis, so that the platform may be pivoted to a selected angle and locked in position. A pelvic stabilization belt is mounted to the platform, and an overhead frame member is provided for rotation about a horizontal axis which is adapted to pass through the lumbro-sacral junction of the patient. An upper body yoke is mounted to the overhead frame member for rotation about a generally vertical axis which is perpendicular to the horizontal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the functional motion characteristics of the spine in each of three planes. The apparatus is designed to be mounted on the back of a patient and it includes an exoskeleton of T-shaped elements which resemble the spinous process and the transverse process of the spine. The elements each include a central bore for receiving a cable, and three separate openings for receiving a wire therethrough. The cable is attached to a potentiometer which measures twisting movement of the spine, and each of the three wires is attached to a separate potentiometer so as to measure flexing in the and sagittal and transverse planes. The signals from the potentiometers are processed so as to provide, for each of the three planes, a measurement of the angular position of the spine as a function of time, the angular velocity as a function of time, and the angular acceleration as a function of time.