Patent ID: 7854166
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: A61B,G01M

Abstract:
1. An instrument operating force evaluation method for evaluating an instrument operating force required to operate an instrument when a test subject operates the instrument, the evaluation being made specifically according to a test subject, the method comprising: a step of measuring, when applying different loads onto a skeletal muscle of at least one of an upper limb, an upper limb girdle, and a lower limb of the test subject to cause isometric muscle contraction, a first muscle activity of the skeletal muscle observed under each of the different loads, a step of determining an upper limit of the first muscle activity in a region where a magnitude of each of the different loads at a time of the isometric muscle contraction and an intensity of the first muscle activity have a linear relationship as a limit of an appropriate muscle activity range that suits the test subject, a step of measuring a second muscle activity of the skeletal muscle of the test subject operating the instrument, and a step of comparing a frequency distribution of the second muscle activity of the skeletal muscle being exercised for operation of the instrument with the limit and evaluating the instrument operating force required to operate the instrument according to the test subject.