Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for measuring intracranial pressure. The method includes the steps of measuring arterial inflow, venous outflow and cranial spinal fluid flow and calculating an intracranial volume change from the measured arterial inflow, venous outflow and cranial spinal fluid flow. The method also includes the steps of calculating a pressure gradient of spinal fluid flow from the measured cranial spinal fluid flow and calculating a pressure change per unit volume change based upon the calculated intracranial volume change and cranial pressure gradient.

Abstract: A system for obtaining biomechanical data for the cervical spine of a subject is described. The system includes a display showing a figure representative of the subject. The figure may be displayed in substantially real time relative to the subject's movement The figure may be viewed from a selected one of a plurality of views.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: An exercise belt 10 to be worn around the waist of a user has a case 14 holding a control switch S1, a switch actuator 22, a battery 16, a vibrator 20, and a motor 18 connected to the vibrator 20 to cause the vibrator 20 to vibrate upon energization of the motor 18 by the battery 16 when the control switch S1 changes states. A light emitting device 28 is attached to the case 14 and positioned to be observed when the belt 10 is worn around the waist of a user. A strap 12 has one end attached to one end of the case 14 and another end connected to the switch actuator 22. This strap 12 is adjustable to fit snugly around the waist of a user, with expansion of the user's waist moving the switch actuator 22 to change the state of the control switch S1, energizing the motor 18, vibrator 20, and light emitting device 28.

Abstract: A biomedical apparatus, particularly for measuring anisomelia of the lower limbs of a patient and the posture of the trunk of the patient in relation to the measured anisomelia. The apparatus comprises at least one first post extending vertically from an apparatus for evaluating anisomelia of the lower limbs, and at least one postural geometry measurement device is slidingly coupled to the first post.

Abstract: Object of the present invention is to provide a device for capably measuring deviation of body axes around three axes as centers of backward-forward flection, leaning and twisting, and a method for correcting such body axis deviation. A measuring device comprises a means (20) for regionally fixing a user's body and a means (30) for detecting and measuring flection limits around a rolling axis, an pitching axis or an yawing axis while regionally fixing said user's body as a fulcrum, and a method for correcting a body axis which comprises detecting flection limits around a user's joint to regard a bisected point of thus detected limits as a body axis deviation and remanding or correcting said body axis deviation around one of a rolling axis, an pitching axis or an yawing axis by repeatedly twisting a body around the other two axes as fulcrums.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention measures degree angle and anthropometric linear measurements of the skeletal structure of the human body. The individual stands in reference to the apparatus with the top of the sternoclavicular joint, or suprasternal notch, as a point of origin. Every individual is measured from the same beginning point. Ten component variables are taken with the measuring unit. These variables allow infield studies of individual workers at a work station or exercise on a resistance training program and/or undergoing medical treatment for biomechanical correction. By measuring bone lengths and degree angles of a human body certain characteristics or trends can be found by this systematic measuring procedure.

Abstract: A device for measuring the angle of curvature of the lumbar spine of a subject includes a flexible, elongate member disposed parallel, and fixed at one point, to the lumbar back of the subject. A second point of the elongate member displaces when the subject bends forwardly or rearwardly from an initial position. A displacement sensor, coupled to the elongate member, determines displacement of the second point when the subject bends forwardly or rearwardly. The device also includes AF and pelvic inclinometers for respectively measuring the rotational angles of the thorax and pelvis of the subject as well as a rotary potentiometer for measuring the twisting angle of the trunk of the subject. The device can be used as a field device for providing such measurements while the subject carries on normal physical activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the function of joints and associated muscles. The method comprises measuring, on the one hand, the mobility of a person in a desired area and, on the other hand, simultaneously by means of electromyography (EMG) measuring the electrical activity of muscles in the same area, and evaluating the abnormality in the mobility and in the function of the muscles of said area, caused especially by pain, by comparing the measured values with reference values compiled in advance.