Abstract:
A sensor web device is provided for measuring EMG (electromyographic) signals. The device has a base sheet and a plurality of EMG sensors disposed on the base sheet. The plurality of EMG sensors are arranged so that a desired EMG signal of a muscle in a human body is obtained by a corresponding one of the plurality of EMG sensors.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/344,893 filed on Nov. 5, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a sensor device for measuring multiple signals by the use of multiple interconnected surface electromyographic sensors arranged in a pre-defined pattern at various locations on a human body. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Sensors for monitoring muscle signals for data collection are used with dynamic muscle function monitoring and evaluating systems. The details of such a system are described in a co-pending application filed on Nov. 5, 2011 concurrently with this application, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. In this system, sensor data is directly fed into a point of detection (POD) device for conditioning, acquiring, and transmitting the sensor data. The sensors include, for example, but are not limited to, a surface EMG (sEMG) sensor, a motion detection sensor, and a functional capacity evaluator (FCE) such as a conventional FCE or the FCE disclosed herein. The POD device acquires continuous analog signals, conditions them, and then digitizes these signals These digital data are then transferred wirelessly to a computer system for processing using software. 
         [0004]    The discovery of the presence of electromyographic (EMG) signals in the muscles of humans, and the change of these signals with muscle activity, spawned development of dedicated electronic devices and techniques for monitoring those signals for the evaluation of the muscles. 
         [0005]    The size of a patient&#39;s muscle, range and dynamics of motion of the patient&#39;s muscle, the strength of a patient&#39;s muscles, and the electrical characteristics of the muscles provide information useful to a clinician making treatment decisions for a patient. The same information also may be useful to determine the existence, severity or cause of an injury and whether an injury is acute or chronic for purposes of determining questions of insurance or other liability. 
         [0006]    The EMG signals given off by the muscles are relatively weak (on the order of millivolts) and it is important that the devices used to monitor and record the EMG signals do not introduce noise thereby making it extremely difficult to interpret the signals. 
         [0007]    In the past, individual electrodes were placed at appropriate points on a patient&#39;s body and then an individual numbered wire was connected to each of the electrodes (up to 38). A previous system (e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/504,031 and 11/914,385, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) ran cabling from the patient to the device where all signal conditioning occurred and because of the millivolt (0-5 mV) amplitude and cable lengths (˜6′) required, specialized, shielded, and heavy cabling was required. This was extremely expensive, time-consuming and prone to error. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In order to overcome these issues, the present disclosure is directed to a mesh or web of sEMG sensors arranged in a manner to allow very quick and accurate placement of all electrodes. 
         [0009]    The present application discloses a sensor web device for measuring EMG (electromyographic) signals. The device comprises a base sheet and a plurality of EMG sensors disposed on the base sheet, wherein the plurality of EMG sensors are arranged so that a desired EMG signal of a muscle of a human body is obtained by a corresponding one of the plurality of EMG sensors. 
         [0010]    In the aforementioned device, the base sheet is made of a flexible material. 
         [0011]    In the aforementioned device, the flexible material includes textile, fabric, or a plastic film. 
         [0012]    In the aforementioned device, each of the plurality of EMG sensors includes an amplifier. 
         [0013]    In the aforementioned device, each of the plurality of EMG sensors have an adhesive portion for adhering to the outside of human skin. 
         [0014]    In the aforementioned device, the plurality of EMG sensors are detachably attached to the base sheet. 
         [0015]    In the aforementioned device, the plurality of EMG sensors may be arranged to correspond to where muscles related to any of an ankle, carpal tunnel, hip and groin, lower extremities, front or rear lumbosacral region, cervical spine, a shoulder, or thoracic spine are located. 
         [0016]    The system in the present disclosure is used for muscular testing by acquiring muscle contraction patterns and/or testing range-of-motion and functional capacity using surface EMG electrodes. The system can be specialized to test, for example, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines as well as upper and lower extremities. The system can collect and display muscle function data and characteristics including tone, fatigue, as well as other activities that take place in the muscle. This system can be used in a number of arenas such as occupational and sports medicine, and rehabilitation clinics. 
         [0017]    Additional advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned from production or operation of the examples. The advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a top view of a sensor of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a top view of two embodiments of the connecting regions of a sensor web of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  shows a sensor connector of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A-C  show muscles related to an ankle and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to an ankle. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A-E  show muscles related to a carpal tunnel region and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to a carpal tunnel region. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A-C  show muscles related to a hip and groin and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to a hip and groin. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6A-C  show muscles related to lower extremities and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to lower extremities. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 7A-D  show muscles related to front and rear lumbosacral regions and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to front and rear lumbosacral regions. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8A-C  show muscles related to a cervical spine and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to a cervical spine. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 9A-E  show muscles related to a shoulder and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to a shoulder. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 10A-B  show muscles related to a thoracic spine and a sensor web for use in measuring electromyographic signals of muscles related to a thoracic spine. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or materials have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a sensing portion of a sensor according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing portion has two sensor pads  30  for measuring EMG (electromyographic) signals of muscles. Two sensor pads  30  are used to measure the differential signal of the muscle. This allows the user to measure the voltage signals of the muscle and ascertain the health of the body part being studied. 
         [0031]    The sensor pads  30  are attached to a base sheet  20 . The sensor pads are attached by any conventional means. In certain embodiments, the sensor pads  30  are laminated to the base sheet  20 . 
         [0032]    The sensor pads  30  contain a solid core gel that is very sticky and allow each sensor pad  30  to fasten itself to a patient. It is an electrically conductive material specifically designed to transmit sEMG signals. Any conventional material may be used for the solid core gel that is sufficient to adhere to the outer surface of human skin and conduct muscle activity. In some embodiments, a silver chloride based gel is used for the solid core gel. 
         [0033]    Around the area of the sensor pads  30 , the base sheet  20  has a tab  25  that protrudes outward from the base sheet to allow a user to easily grasp the base sheet for easy removal of the sensor web from the patient. 
         [0034]    The sensor pads  30  have wires/traces  40  that serve as signal lines connected to them in order to transmit measured voltage signals from the sensor pad  30  to a POD. The wires  40  are also attached to the base sheet  20  by any conventional means. In some embodiments, the wires/traces  40  are attached to the base sheet by a laminate in the form of a flex circuit. The wires/traces  40  are connected to the main processing unit via a connecting region  50  (see  FIG. 2A ). In some embodiments, 16 wires/traces  40  reside between the locating pins. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show two embodiments of connecting regions of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2A  shows a connecting region  50  in which wires/traces  40  terminate at an end portion of the base sheet  20  that connects externally to a main processing unit. In this embodiment, two locating pin holes  56  are set through the base sheet  20  to align the sensor web  100  properly to an external unit. The holes  56  in each sensor web are arranged such that one sensor connector  70  (as shown in  FIG. 2C ) may attach to each of the sensor webs in order to accurately determine which sensor web is being utilized. At a terminal end of the base sheet  20 , a set of sensor ID pins  60 , including one ground sensor ID pin  61 , are located to mate with a sensor connector  70 . 
         [0036]    In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , a connecting region  150  has four locating pin holes  156  through the base sheet  120  for connecting the wires  140  to a sensor connector. 
         [0037]    All of the sensor webs connect to the same sensor connector  70  (see  FIG. 2C ), but are identified to the POD by means of a sensor identification technique which uses a 5 bit binary pattern from the sensor ID pins  60 . On each connector  70 , there are 6 traces  74  where a signal (likely 5V) is injected on and then the 5 non-ground pins  60  are connected together and read by the POD indicating which sensor web is currently connected. Of the six lines, ground  61 ,  161  is dedicated as a transistor-transistor logic (TTL) level signal line from the POD which is then connected to one or some of the other 5 lines in a bit pattern that uniquely identifies the web. These 5 return lines  60 ,  160  enable 32 possible combinations of identifiable devices. One ground pin  61 / 161  and five or more signal ID lines therefore, allow for identification of 32 or more unique sensor webs. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 2C , one embodiment of a sensor connector  70  is a clamshell design that is to clamp down onto the connecting region  50  of the sensor web, mating the locating pin holes  56  to locating pins  72 . The locating pins  72  slip down over for accurate positioning. The locating pins  72  are approximately the same size as the locating pin holes  56 ,  156  for accurate clamping of the sensor connector  70  to the connecting region  50  of the sensor web. The sensor connector  70  is made of a lightweight plastic and has a self locking and spring loaded clamping mechanism to clamp down on the connecting region  50  of the sensor web. 
         [0039]    The sensor connector  70  contains the instrumentation amplifier/first gain stage. This allows transmission of ‘normal’ voltage signals back to the POD rather than the ultralow (0-5 mV) sEMG signals. There are no electronics (other than signal traces) in or on the sensor webs as any components added there will greatly increase the manufacturing complexity and cost of each web, which are intended to be disposable. 
         [0040]    The sensor connector  70  initial amplification stage includes an instrumentation amplifier which takes the muscle&#39;s differential pair, removes the common mode and outputs an amplified single-ended signal. This is then passed through a cable to the POD where the single-ended signals are further amplified and filtered through several Op-Amp stages. Once fully conditioned, all signals are then multiplexed and fed into an analog to digital converter (ADC). 
         [0041]    Sensor webs are used to interface to and read surface EMG (sEMG) muscle activity. The sensor webs have pre-placed self-adhering electrodes that conform to the muscle locations dictated by each protocol. 
         [0042]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3C , a custom ankle sensor web  300  is used to evaluate muscle activity of an ankle. As is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the custom ankle sensor web  300  evaluates the following muscles: (1) right tibialis anterior, (2) right gastrocnemius, (3) right lateral ankle, and (4) right medial ankle of a right ankle. The custom ankle sensor web  300  also evaluates the (5) left tibialis anterior, (6) left gastrocnemius, (7) left lateral ankle, and (8) left medial ankle of a left ankle. 
         [0043]    The custom ankle sensor web  300  attaches sensor pads  30  to half of the 8 muscles listed in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , as one custom ankle sensor web  300  is used for each ankle. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 3C , the base sheet  320  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the ankle when the custom ankle sensor web  300  is placed around the ankle. 
         [0045]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  350  via the wires  340 . Two wires  340  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  350  has 6 sensor ID pins  360 , one of which is the ground ID pin  361 , for connecting to a sensor connector  70  (see  FIG. 2C ). Locating pin holes  356  are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the custom ankle sensor web  300  via the connecting region  350 . 
         [0046]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4E , a carpal tunnel sensor web  400  is used to evaluate muscle activity of a carpal tunnel area of a human body. As is shown in  FIGS. 4A-4D , the carpal tunnel sensor web  400 , in conjunction with the cervical area web  800  (see  FIG. 8C ), evaluates the following muscles: (1) right sternocleidomastoid, (2) right scalene, (3) right paracervical, (4) right upper trapezius, (5) right deltoid, (6) right biceps, (7) right triceps, (8) right wrist flexor, (9) right wrist extensor, (10) right thenar/palmar, (11) right medial epicondyle, and (12) right lateral epicondyle of the right carpal tunnel area. 
         [0047]    The carpal tunnel sensor web  400  also evaluates, in conjunction with the cervical area web  800  (see  FIG. 8C ), the (13) left sternocleidomastoid, (14) left scalene, (15) left paracervical, (16) left upper trapezius, (17) left deltoid, (18) left biceps, (19) left triceps, (20) left wrist flexor, (21) left wrist extensor, (22) left thenar/palmar, (23) left medial epicondyle, and (24) left lateral epicondyle of the left carpal tunnel area. 
         [0048]    The carpal tunnel sensor web  400  attaches sensor pads  30  to half of the 24 muscles listed in  FIGS. 4A-4D , as one carpal tunnel sensor web  400  is used for one carpal tunnel area. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 4E , the base sheet  420  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the carpal tunnel area when the carpal tunnel sensor web  400  is placed at the carpal tunnel area. 
         [0050]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  450  via the wires  440 . Two wires  440  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  450  has 6 sensor ID pins  460 , one of which is the ground ID pin  461 , for connecting to a sensor connector  70 . Locating pin holes  456  are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the carpal tunnel sensor web  400  via the connecting region  450 . 
         [0051]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5C , a hip and groin sensor web  500  is used to evaluate muscle activity of a hip and groin. The hip and groin sensor web  500  is used to evaluate two different sets of muscles in the hip and groin area. As is shown in  FIG. 5A , the hip and groin sensor web  500  evaluates the following muscles on the front side of the human body: (3) right iliopsoas, (4) right rectus abdominus, (5) right abdominal oblique, (6) right gracilis, (10) left iliopsoas, (11) left rectus abdominus, (12) left abdominal oblique, and (13) left gracilis of a front hip and groin area of a human body. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the hip and groin sensor web  500  also evaluates the following muscles on the rear side of the human body: (1) right paraspinal L5-S1, (2) right gluteus maximus, (7) right hamstrings, (8) left paraspinal L5-S1, (9) left gluteus maximus, and (14) left hamstrings. Thus, the hip and groin sensor web  500  attaches sensor pads  30  to the front located muscles related to the hip and groin, and alternately to the back located muscles related to the hip and groin. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 5C , the base sheet  520  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the hip and groin when the hip and groin sensor web  500  is placed either on the front part of the hip and groin area or the back part of the hip and groin area. 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 5C , the sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  550  via the wires  540 . Two wires  540  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The hip and groin sensor web  500  has two connecting areas  550 , each with 6 sensor ID pins  60 , one of which is the ground ID pin  561 , for connecting to two sensor connectors  70  (see  FIG. 2C ). Locating pin holes  556  are used to help align the sensor connector  70  accurately to the hip and groin sensor web  500  via the connecting regions  550 . 
         [0054]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6C , a lower extremities sensor web  600  is used to evaluate muscle activity of the lower extremities of a human body. As is shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the lower extremities sensor web  600  evaluates the following muscles: (1) right anterior thigh, (2) right hamstrings, (3) right tibialis anterior, and (4) right gastrocnecius of a right side of a human body. The lower extremities sensor web  600  also evaluates the (5) left anterior thigh, (6) left hamstrings, (7) left tibialis anterior, and (8) left gastrocnecius of a left side of a human body. 
         [0055]    The lower extremities sensor web  600  attaches sensor pads  30  to half of the 8 muscles listed in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , as one lower extremities sensor web  600  is designed for one side of a human body in the lower extremities region. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 6C , the base sheet  620  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the lower extremities when the lower extremities sensor web  600  is placed around the lower extremities. 
         [0057]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  650  via the wires  640 . Two wires  640  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  650  has 6 sensor ID pins  660 , one of which is the ground ID pin  661 , for connecting to a sensor connector  70  (see  FIG. 2C ). Locating pin holes  656  are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the lower extremities sensor web  600  via the connecting region  650 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 7C-D  show two embodiments for monitoring the front and rear lumbosacral regions. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A  and C, a front lumbosacral sensor web  700  is used to evaluate muscle activity of the front lumbosacral region of a human body. As is shown in  FIG. 7A , the front lumbosacral sensor web  700  evaluates the following muscles on a front lumbosacral area of a human body: (5) right rectus abdominis, (6) right abdominal oblique, (12) left rectus abdominis, and (13) left abdominal oblique. The front lumbosacral sensor web  700  attaches sensor pads  30  to the front located muscles related to the front lumbosacral area. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 7C , the base sheet  720  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the front lumbosacral area when the front lumbosacral sensor web  700  is placed on the front lumbosacral area. 
         [0060]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  750  via the wires  740 . Two wires  740  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  750  has 6 sensor ID pins  760 , one of which is the ground ID pin  761 , for connecting to a sensor connector  70  (see  FIG. 2C ). Locating pin holes  756  are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the front lumbosacral sensor web  700  via the connecting region  750 . 
         [0061]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7B  and D, a rear lumbosacral sensor web  700   a  is used to evaluate muscle activity of the rear lumbosacral region. As is shown in  FIG. 7B , the rear lumbosacral sensor web  700   a  evaluates the following muscles on the rear lumbrosacral area of the human body: (1) right paraspinal L1-L3, (2) right paraspinal L3-S1, (3) right quadratus lumborum, (4) right gluteus maximus, (7) right hamstrings, (8) left paraspinal L1-L3, (9) left paraspinal L3-S1, (10) left quadratus lumborum, (11) left gluteus maximus, and (14) left hamstrings. The rear lumbosacral sensor web  700   a  attaches sensor pads  30  to the rear located muscles related to the rear lumbosacral area. 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 7D , the base sheet  720   a  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the rear lumbosacral area when the rear lumbosacral sensor web  700   a  is placed on the rear lumbosacral area. 
         [0063]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  750   a  via the wires  740   a . Two wires  740   a  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The rear lumbosacral sensor web  700   a  has two connecting areas  750   a , each with 6 sensor ID pins  760   a , one of which is the ground ID pin  761   a , for connecting to two sensor connectors  70  (see  FIG. 2C ). Locating pin holes  756   a  are used to help align the sensor connector  70  accurately to the rear lumbosacral sensor web  700   a  via the connecting regions  750   a.    
         [0064]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8C , a cervical sensor web  800  is used to evaluate muscle activity of the cervical spine area of a human body. As is shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the cervical sensor web  800  evaluates the following muscles: (1) right sternocleidomastoid, (2) right scalene, (3) right paracervical, and (4) right upper trapezius of the front part of the cervical area, and (5) left sternocleidomastoid, (6) left scalene, (7) left paracervical, and (8) left upper trapezius of the rear part of the cervical spine area. 
         [0065]    The cervical sensor web  800  attaches sensor pads  30  to the eight muscles listed in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , as one cervical sensor web  800  is designed to cover the entire cervical spine area. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 8C , the base sheet  820  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the cervical spine area when the cervical sensor web  800  is placed around the cervical spine area. 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 8C , the sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  850  via the wires  840 . Two wires  840  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  850  has 6 sensor ID pins (not shown), one of which is the ground ID pin (not shown), for connecting to a sensor connector  70 . Locating pin holes (not shown) are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the cervical sensor web  800  via the connecting region  850  (see  FIG. 2C ). 
         [0068]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9E , a shoulder sensor web  900  is used to evaluate muscle activity of a shoulder. As is shown in  FIGS. 9A-9D  the shoulder sensor web  900  in conjunction with the cervical web  800  evaluates the following muscles: (1) right scalene, (2) right paracervical, (3) right upper trapezius, (4) right pectoralis, (5) right supraspinatus, (6) right teres major, (7) right latissimus dorsi, (8) right deltoid, (9) right biceps, (10) right medial epicondyle, and (11) right lateral epicondyle of a right shoulder. The shoulder sensor web  900  also evaluates the following muscles of the left shoulder: (12) left scalene, (13) left paracervical, (14) left upper trapezius, (15) left pectoralis, (16) left supraspinatus, (17) left teres major, (18) left latissimus dorsi, (19) left deltoid, (20) left biceps, (21) left medial epicondyle, and (22) left lateral epicondyle. 
         [0069]    The shoulder sensor web  900  attaches sensor pads  30  to half of the 22 muscles listed in  FIGS. 9A-D , as one shoulder sensor web  900  is designed for one shoulder each. 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 9E , the base sheet  920  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the shoulder when the shoulder sensor web  900  is placed around the shoulder. 
         [0071]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  950  via the wires  940 . Two wires  940  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  950  has 6 sensor ID pins  960 , one of which is the ground ID pin  961 , for connecting to a sensor connector  70  (see  FIG. 2C ). Locating pin holes  956  are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the shoulder sensor web  900  via the connecting region  950 . 
         [0072]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10B , a thoracic area sensor web  1000  is used to evaluate muscle activity of the thoracic spine area. As is shown in  FIG. 10A , the thoracic area sensor web  1000  evaluates the following muscles: (1) right middle trapezius, (2) right lower trapezius, (3) right paraspinal T5-T8, (4) right paraspinal T8-T12, (5) right latissimus dorsi, and (6) right serratus posterior of the right part of the thoracic area, and (7) left middle trapezius, (8) left lower trapezius, (9) left paraspinal T5-T8, and (10) left paraspinal T8-T12, (11) left latissimus dorsi, (12) right serratus posterior of the left part of the thoracic spine area. 
         [0073]    The thoracic area sensor web  1000  attaches sensor pads  30  to the 12 muscles listed in  FIG. 10A , as thoracic spine area sensor web  1000  is designed to evaluate the thoracic spine area. 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIG. 10C , the base sheet  1020  is specifically formed such that the sensor pads  30  will be in close proximity to the muscle groups of the thoracic area when the thoracic area sensor web  1000  is placed around the thoracic area. 
         [0075]    The sensor pads  30  are connected to the connecting area  1050  via the wires  1040 . Two wires  1040  each are used to connect each sensor pad  30 . The connecting area  1050  has 6 sensor ID pins  1060 , one of which is the ground ID pin  1061 , for connecting to a sensor connector  70 . Locating pin holes  1056  are used to help align the sensor connector accurately to the thoracic area sensor web  1000  via the connecting region  1050  (see  FIG. 2C ). 
         [0076]    As discussed above, there is a dedicated sensor web for each muscle group (i.e. cervical, ankle, etc.), but there are many cases where certain sensor webs are reused. For example, the cervical web is used by itself to evaluate cervical muscle groups, but the same muscles (and sensor web) may also be used in the carpal tunnel and shoulder muscle groups. In addition, more than one sensor web may be utilized to evaluate a muscle group. 
         [0077]    The system in the present disclosure is used for muscular testing by acquiring muscle contraction patterns and/or testing range-of-motion and functional capacity using surface EMG electrodes. The system can be specialized to test, for example, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spines as well as upper and lower extremities. The system can collect and display muscle function data and characteristics including tone, fatigue, as well as other activities that take place in the muscle. This system can be used in a number of arenas such as occupational and sports medicine, and rehabilitation clinics. 
         [0078]    Although certain specific examples have been disclosed, it is noted that the present teachings may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present examples described above are considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The patent scope is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 
         [0079]    Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
         [0080]    The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. 
         [0081]    Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 
         [0082]    It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0083]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.