Patent ID: 7678064
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a probe supported by the housing and having a probe tip and an elongate probe body, the probe body longitudinally extending between a probe cap and the probe tip, the probe being adapted for selective longitudinal movement relative to the housing between a first probe position, wherein the probe tip and the probe body are substantially extended from the housing, and a second probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially retracted into the housing and the probe body is retracted into the housing; a first biasing means adapted to urge the probe toward the first probe position; and a second biasing means adapted to urge the probe toward the second probe position; wherein a predetermined motive force is selectively exerted between the probe tip and the patient to move the probe from the first probe position to the second probe position, and the motive force is indicative of tactile sensitivity of the patient; wherein at least one of the first and second biasing means includes a magnet, the probe cap being located longitudinally between the first and second biasing means and being magnetically responsive.