Patent ID: 6045517
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for assessment of the glide in a live human body joint wherein a joint is formed of a forearm portion connected to a carpal-metacarpal portion by various ligament, tendon, and muscular tissues, the forearm portion having an ulna bone and a radius bone, the carpal-metacarpal portion having an ulnar side, and the tissues permitting shear, or translational, movement of the carpal-metacarpal portion relative to the forearm portion, the apparatus comprising the following components:(a) a means for stabilizing and aligning the forearm portion to a fixed plane defined by said apparatus;(b) a means for stabilizing and aligning the carpal-metacarpal portion to a movable plane parallel to said fixed plane and defined by said apparatus;(c) a means for providing bidirectional movement of said movable plane in a direction perpendicular, or normal, to said fixed plane, whereby either dorsal or volar glide between the forearm portion and the carpal-metacarpal portion is isolated; and(d) a means for measuring normal displacement between said fixed plane and said movable plane and for measuring resistance to movement exerted by the carpal-metacarpal portion as the carpal-metacarpal portion in said movable plane is moved in said normal direction with relation to the forearm portion in said fixed plane, said measurements being accomplished in the absence of a volitional component of force exerted by the muscular tissues.