Patent ID: 8197425
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A measurement device for quantitatively measuring stiffness, torque or range of motion (ROM) around the joint axis of the ankle-foot complex of a lower limb of a seated subject in the sagittal and coronal planes, the device comprising: a plate for placement of the ankle-foot complex, the plate operatively connected to an actuator for manual actuation; an angular measurement device operatively connected to the plate to measure an angular position in the sagittal and coronal planes of the ankle-foot complex of the seated subject around the rotational center of the ankle-foot complex; a torquemeter operatively connected to the plate to measure resistance torque in the sagittal and coronal planes of the ankle-foot complex of the seated subject around the joint rotational center of the ankle-foot complex; an electromyograph (EMG) to monitor muscular activity of muscles of the lower limb; and computer software to record the measured angular position in the sagittal and coronal planes of the ankle-foot complex, the measured resistance torque in the sagittal and coronal planes of the ankle-foot complex, and the measured EMG of the muscles of the lower limb wherein the computer measures the stiffness, torque, or range of motion based on the measured angular position, the measured resistance torque, or the measured EMG.