Patent ID: 11918409
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A method for tendon reflex assessment comprising:
eliciting at least one tendon stretch reflex response in a subject to analyze neurological and muscular components of the at least one tendon reflex response;
employing at least one ultrasound function to analyze the subject while the tendon stretch reflex response occurs via measuring at least one tendon dimension with ultrasound machine calipers;
obtaining tendon stretch reflex data regarding the at least one tendon stretch reflex response for the subject wherein the tendon stretch reflex data includes measuring the at least one tendon dimension with ultrasound machine calipers before eliciting at least one tendon stretch reflex response and measuring at least one tendon dimension with ultrasound machine calipers when tendon contraction occurs due to eliciting the at least one tendon stretch reflex;
obtaining at least one tendon dimension measurement prior to eliciting the at least one tendon stretch reflex and obtaining at least one tendon dimension measurement after eliciting the at least one tendon stretch reflex; and
analyzing the tendon stretch reflex data to determine a health condition of the subject by:
comparing the at least one tendon dimension obtained prior to the at least one tendon stretch reflex response with the at least one tendon dimension obtained during the at least one tendon stretch reflex; and
analyzing:
activation of at least one stretch receptor in at least one muscle spindle, at least one sensory nerve impulse from the at least one stretch receptor to at least one spinal cord synapse with at least one motor neuron; and
at least one motor nerve impulse from the at least one spinal cord synapse.