Patent ID: 6113552
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for measuring the magnitude of pain experienced by a subject, comprising:a contact adapted to be applied to a subject to deliver a tactile stimulus;an energy source connected to the contact to provide a controllable magnitude of tactile stimulus to the subject through the contact;a processor connected to the energy source to control the magnitude of tactile stimulus applied to the subject;an indicator switch connected to the processor and adapted to be activated to provide a tactile indication signal to the processor that a magnitude of tactile stimulus has been experienced by the subject;wherein the processor is adapted to receive a first tactile indication signal, determine the first magnitude of tactile stimulus applied to the subject at the time of receipt of the first tactile indication signal, and store the first magnitude of tactile stimulus; andwherein the processor is further adapted to receive a second tactile indication signal, determine the second magnitude of tactile stimulus applied to the subject at the time of receipt of the second tactile indication signal, and compare the second magnitude of tactile stimulus to the first magnitude of tactile stimulus and provide a comparison signal.