Patent ID: 6659967
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
A system for use in noninvasively evaluating a limb suspected of compartment syndrome, the system comprising in combination:an applicator instrument including a base portion, a housing portion, a force plate having an interior, and a force probe, the force probe being positioned through a central aperture of the force plate, a spring wound about a distal end of the force probe, the spring positioned within the interior of the force plate and interconnecting the force probe and force plate and functioning to orient a distal end of the force probe flush with the force plate with the spring is in an unbiased state, and permitting the force plate to slide relative to the probe in a biased state, the force plate including a number of stabilizing columns which are slidably received within corresponding apertures formed within the housing and base portions, an optical encoder positioned within the base portion for measuring the travel distance of one of the stabilizing columns, such distance corresponding to the movement of the force plate relative to the force probe, a load cell interconnected to the force probe for use in measuring the pressure applied to the force probe; a breakout box electrically coupled to the instrument, the breakout box receiving pressure measurements from the load cell, the breakout box including indicator means for signifying the presence of predetermined minimum and maximum pressure measurements; a computer electrically coupled to the breakout box for use in providing electrical power to the instrument and breakout box, the computer being used in collecting, storing and analyzing pressure and distance measurements collected by the instrument.