Patent ID: 6090045
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
Apparatus for use in treating patients afflicted by soft tissue lesions according to an expert system treatment protocol, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of symptom pattern images each of which provide an association between an anatomical image and an expert-derived symptom pattern, wherein said expert-derived symptom pattern images each include a depiction of a localized anatomical area where soft tissue lesions produce symptoms selected from the group consisting of numbness, tingling, pain, ache, burning, weakness, atrophy, circulatory changes, hypersensitivity, restricted motion, and combinations thereof;means for storing said symptom pattern images;a plurality of expert treatment protocols for the treatment of soft tissue lesions wherein each of said expert treatment protocols is a candidate for replicating symptoms corresponding to locations designated by said symptom pattern images, each of said treatment protocols including a depiction of longitudinal manipulation of soft tissues in concomitant with motion of a patient's body beneath a contact point placing subcutaneous tissues of the patient in tension while replicating symptoms corresponding to said symptom pattern images;means for presenting said symptom pattern images to permit matching a patient's symptom pattern with at least one of said symptom pattern images;means for associating selected ones of said expert treatment protocols with at least one of said symptom pattern images presented by said stored by said means for presenting said symptom pattern images; andmeans for retrieving one of said plurality of expert treatment protocols selected by said associating means to correspond with said at least one of said symptom pattern images during a course of treatment defined by said one of said plurality of expert treatment protocols.