Patent Publication Number: US-2017347919-A1

Title: Micro deviation detection device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     A early detection device to diagnose scoliosis in adolescents without exposure to harmful x-rays provides a portable, accurate and inexpensive hand-held diagnostic tool to determine deviations from the Cobb Angle in the spine, the detection device connecting to a receiver unit to receive data obtained from the detection device completing the diagnostic testing for visual review and diagnosis on the receiver unit. It is also provided in alternative embodiment to test the integrity of structural components in various industries, including surface irregularities and defects and cracks in beams and wall, pipes or beams. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present non-invasive diagnostic detection device, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art. 
     Several manual gauges are demonstrated in the prior art which visually determine a deviation of normal spinal curvature in devices that relate to scoliosis diagnosis. These devices include U.S. Pat. No. 4,033,329 to Gregory, which is a machine that one stands upon, but is used to determine C1 subluxation. U.S. Pat. No. 2,930,133 to Thompson is a device that is placed behind a patient with the arm placed upon the back starting with the lowest vertebrae and working up measuring curvature using a protractor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,525 to Bunnel is a device operated by running the device along the back of a patient while they are bent over with an internal plumb bob inside showing the degree of shift from center. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,162 to Gerhardt, a caliper is used to measure deviation from the left and right rib hump using an inclinometer to measure the angle on the spine at any given height. A spinal anthropometer or lordosimeter is described which give a 3D configuration of the spine using point encodement from spinal landmarks and then uses an algorithm to provide analysis. 
     A computer graph generated by a device run along the back provides a 3D graph of the spine in U.S. Pat. No. 7,883,477 to Ichikawa. A hand-held device worn on the index finger provides a position sensor knowing the predetermined distance from the tip of the index finger to track a course along the spine, tracking its course to assess curvature of the spine in U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,260 to Shechtman. An X-axis and Y-axis providing the device using a computer mouse using a roller ball and light emitter system to track motion along the spine and relate it to the X and Y axis is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0015042 to Linial. Lastly, in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0021240 to Horgan, an inclinometer placed on the upper region of the patient transfers data to a display, the inclinometer attached to a bed frame upon which the patient lays, transfers data to computer which provides an image in green versus red contrast to determine deviation of the spine. 
     II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Scoliosis is a common problem among adolescents and often goes without proper treatment due to x-rays being the primary method of diagnosis in children within this age grouping. Radiation from x-rays can be damaging to a child&#39;s developing body. This diagnosis is important especially prior to puberty where undiagnosed scoliosis can become permanent and less successfully remediated. Early detection is key with scoliosis and although there are other methods for the detection of scoliosis, the only reliable methods of measuring the degree of curvature of the spine is with x-rays or MRI scans. Since 1 in 33 people have some degree of scoliosis, it is important to develop a method of diagnosis that can be used to general checkups without special training, expensive equipment or exposure to harmful radiation. 
     Current scoliometers used in screenings are largely unreliable. Many of the methods used, such as the scoliometers identified in the prior art, commonly give false readings and therefore produce unreliable medical data. They are not considered legitimate data to support an official medical diagnosis. To acquire a reliable accurate measurement, a patient must receive x-rays to image their spine and then have a doctor make hand measurements to determine the Cobb Angle at any point. 
     Cobb angle or Cobb&#39;s angle is know in the field of medicine and is used to quantify the magnitude of spinal deformities, especially in the case of scoliosis. The angle may be plotted manually or digitally and scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of 10 degrees or more. The Cobb angle was first described in 1948 by Dr. John R. Cobb. In an article critical of school-based screening programs in 2002, Dr. K Allen Greiner because of a lack of follow-up treatment he deemed necessary for these programs to have any value. He recommended that physicians follow up on the school diagnosed children with an MRI or radiographs of the full spine before eight years of age, for those having rapid curve progression of more than 1 degree per month, an unusual curve pattern such as left thoracic curve, neurologic deficit or pain. Early treatment of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is necessary to prevent the progression of the curve magnitude and should be followed up. 
     Additionally, industrial applications are presented in various embodiments of the detection devices for application to surface irregularities in outer surfaces of machines and building structural defects in panels, pipes, beams, and other support structures. The detection device can perform integrity diagnostics without destructive testing, being able to detect micro-defects which cannot be seen by the naked eye or visual inspection. The remote capabilities also provide the user with an ability to send real time information which can be enhanced and calibrated for further evaluation and reading by a remote diagnostic location. 
     The present micro deviation detection device provides a reliable pre-screening tool without unnecessary radiation for those adolescents in order to make proper referral to medical professionals during that period of time that minimization of the curve magnitude, if present, can be treated and halted prior to adulthood, where sever complications and decay of the spinal integrity can no longer be successfully treated. It also supplies a reliable diagnostic tool for the non-destructive testing of building and structural components in industrial applications. 
    
    
     
       III. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are submitted with this utility patent application. 
         FIG. 1  is a first embodiment of the flat profile deviation detection device. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the flat profile deviation detection device along sectional lines  2 / 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of the flat profile deviation detection device. 
         FIG. 4  is an inner view of the flat profile deviation detection device with the protective cover panel removed. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the L-shaped deviation detection device. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the L-shaped detection device. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the L-shaped deviation defection device along sectional lines  7 / 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the L-shaped deviation detection device with the protective cover panel removed. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the U-shaped deviation detection device. 
         FIG. 10  is a lower perspective view of the U-shaped deviation detection device. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of the U-shaped deviation detection device with the protective cover panel removed. 
         FIG. 12  is a circuit diagram of the electrical components used in all three embodiments of the deviation detection device. 
     
    
    
     IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A deviation detection scan device  10  providing for the measurement of surface linear and planar deviations in certain objects, shown in  FIGS. 1-12  of the drawings, the device used for the determination of micro-measured irregularities in the surface of the object using a shaped platform  20 ,  120 ,  220 , a gyroscope supplied by an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)  50 ,  150 ,  250 , a microprocessor  60 / 160 / 260 , a Bluetooth module  70 / 170 / 270 , for the conveyance of data from the IMU to the microprocessor and to an external computer or other visual graphic display, support pegs  40 / 140 / 240 , to prevent movement of the internal components, vibration dampening sorbothane hemispheres  45 / 145 / 245 , and in some embodiments, a rigid clear plastic window  37  for accurate measurements along a designated pathway on the object being measured, and graphic crosshairs  39  located upon the plastic window  37  for guidance along the designated measurement pathway. 
     A first embodiment deviation detection device  10  is presented for the measurement of a planar surface, shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . In this first embodiment, the platform  20 , shown in  FIGS. 1-4  provides a flat base member  22  extending a side projection  23  and a removable protective cover  30 , absent in  FIG. 4  to reveal an inner cavity  32  and inner surface  26  of the platform base member  22 . Within the flat platform base member  22  is an upper window section  35  receiving the rigid plastic window  37  including the graphic crosshairs  39 . Optionally included on the plastic window  37  is at least one first IMU  50 , which is preferably an electronic gyroscope. This IMU/electronic gyroscope  50  measures all the angles and deviations along an X, Y and Z axis (known as pitch, yaw, and roll) to the nearest 100 th  of a degree as the device  10  runs along the designated pathway. 
     An outer surface  24  of the flat base member  22  extends a plurality of sorbothane hemispheres  45  to provide a vibration damper to the device  10  as the device  10  is run along a planar surface, minimizing human error resulting from shaking or unsteady hands. Suspended within the inner cavity  32  of the platform base member  22  by a plurality of fixed support pegs  40  is the microprocessor  60 , which is an Arduino or similar microprocessor unit, a second IMU  50  and the Bluetooth module  70 . The microprocessor  60  as defined herein, is preferably Arduino Uno, which has the potential to perform the functions as previously stated herein. The term Arduino, as defined herein, is an open-source prototyping platform based upon easy-to-use hardware and software, which enable circuitry to read inputs and turn it into an output. These are programmable by the user by sending a set of instructions to the microprocessor  60  using Arduino language and programming. Use of other microprocessors  60  providing the same or similar function can serve as alternative microprocessors and can be used interchangeably, which is why the component is referenced by its generic name instead of the more specific term Arduino. Thus, for purposes of this application, microprocessor  60 , Arduino and Arduino-compatible are interchangeable by preference to avoid limitations of the subject matter and scope of this component. The microprocessor  60  is the main processing unit communicating all data from the IMU/gyroscope  50  to either a computer, not shown, or the Bluetooth module  70 . The Bluetooth module  70  is used to relay information and data from the microprocessor to an external device, not shown, which may be a remote computer or phone. Compliant and appropriate software will convert the information and data into a meaningful chart, graph or other visual readout to determine if an abnormal findings are obtained during the operation. 
     The purpose of the first embodiment of the deviation detection device  10  with the flat base member  20  is for use to diagnose scoliosis in children and adolescent without exposure to harmful radiation used in other forms of diagnosis including disruptive diagnostic testing including X-ray, MRI and CT scans. Secondary application of this embodiment include non-destructive testing of manufactured products to detect fractures or dents in surfaces, including aircraft and automotive surfaces, deflections in pipes and beams, cracks in bridge supports, walls and panels, and other surface irregularities. 
     The present flat base deviation detection device provides a reliable pre-screening tool without unnecessary radiation for those adolescents in order to make proper referral to medical professionals during that period of time that minimization of the curve magnitude, if present, can be treated and halted prior to adulthood, where sever complications and decay of the spinal integrity can no longer be successfully treated. This device is moved along the back of the subject along the spinal points indicating the rear projection of each vertebrae. The sorbothane hemispheres  45  are in contact with the subject, and the device will be run as many times as necessary to determine if there are any deviations of the Cobb Angle, previously described in the specification, of one or more vertebrae and to what degree, this detection performed by micro-deviation shifts detected by the IMU/gyroscope  50 . It will disclose a shift in the vertebrae laterally, front to back, or rotationally, and should provide an instant readout. In the event significant vertebral deviation is determine, that subject may be referred for more intense diagnosis and treatment. In the event that no deviation is determined, the subject may be cleared from further treatment. For mass pre-screening for scoliosis in a public setting, this device  10  is quick, harmless and quite efficient, having the capacity to indicate deviation to the nearest 1/100 of a degree. 
     A second embodiment of the deviation detection device  10 , shown in  FIGS. 5-8  of the drawings, is used for the detection of irregularities in inside and outside corners. The L-shaped platform  120  defines a rear panel  122  having an inner surface  123  and an outer surface  124  and an integrated perpendicular extension panel  125  extending from the inner surface  123  defining an upper surface  126  and a lower surface  127 , and a removable protective cover  130  defining an outer surface  134 . Within the upper surface  126  and inside the removable protective cover  130  is an inner cavity  132 ,  FIGS. 7-8 . Upon the outer surface  124  of the rear panel  122 , a portion of the inner surface  123  of the rear panel  122  not contained within the inner cavity  132 , the lower surface  127  of the extension panel  125  and an outer surface  134  of the protective cover  130 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , are a plurality of sorbothane hemispheres  145  serving the same purpose as was disclosed in the first embodiment of the deviation detections device—to minimize human error during the diagnostic testing using this second embodiment. When running diagnostics on an inside corner, the L-shaped platform is run utilizing the sorbothane hemispheres  145  located on the outer surface  134  of the protective cover  130  and the outer surface  124  of the rear panel  122 . When running diagnostics on an outside corner, the sorbothane hemispheres  145  on the lower surface  127  of the extension panel  125  and the inner surface  123  of the rear panel  122  are utilized. This device  10  will determine the integrity and linear formation of each corner, which is useful in wall formation, structural component alignment, and whether a corner is joined in a straight line. It is also useful in cabinetry, furniture construction, and other woodworking matters. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the upper surface  126  of the extension panel  125  within the inner cavity  132  contains the IMU/gyroscope  150 , the microprocessor/Arduino  160 , the Bluetooth module  170  supported by a plurality of support pegs  140  for the stable support of the electronic components within the inner cavity  132 . The primary application for this second embodiment of the L-shaped deviation detection device  10  is for the non-destructive testing of manufactured products to detect fractures or dents in corners in beams and walls, deflections in outer surfaces of pipes and beams, structural cracks in bridge supports, walls and panels, and other angular irregularities. It may also be used on cylindrical objects to diagnose uniform outer diameters and surfaces. The IMU  150 , microprocessor  160  and Bluetooth module  170  function in the same manner as described in the first embodiment deviation detection device. 
     In yet a third embodiment of the deviation detection device  10  used for diagnosing small diameter outer surface irregularities in pipes and beams, as shown in  FIGS. 9-11  of the drawings, a U-shaped platform  220  defines a U-shaped platform base  222  defining a U-shaped inner surface  223  and a flat cavity surface  224 , a backplate  225  from the flat cavity surface  224  having an inner surface  226  and an outer surface  227 , and a removable protective cover  230 . An inner cavity  232  is defined by the inner surface  226  of the backplate  225 , the flat cavity surface  224  from the U-shaped platform  220  and the removable protective cover  230 , the inner cavity  232  exposed in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . Along the U-shaped inner surface  223  of the U-shaped platform base  222  is a plurality of sorbothane hemispheres  245 , as demonstrated in  FIGS. 9-10 . When run along the outer surface of a small diameter pipe or beam, the sorbothane hemispheres  245 , once again, attempt to stabilize movement and avoid human error during the diagnostic procedure of the object. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the flat cavity surface of the U-shaped platform  220  within the inner cavity  232  contains the IMU/gyroscope  250 , the microprocessor/Arduino  260 , the Bluetooth module  270  supported by a plurality of support pegs  240  for the stable support of the electronic components within the inner cavity  232 . The IMU  250 , microprocessor  260  and Bluetooth module  270  function in the same manner as described in the first embodiment deviation detection device. The primary application for this third embodiment as the U-shaped deviation detection device  10  is for the non-destructive testing of manufactured products to detect fractures or dents in outer surfaces in small diameter beams and pipes, deflections in outer surfaces of pipes and beams, structural cracks in pipes and beams and angular irregularities small dimensional objects which are capable of being fully or partially fit within the U-shaped inner surface. It may also be used on cylindrical objects to diagnose uniform outer diameters and surfaces. It is also useful to determine proper fitting and angle of joints, dimensional lumber straightness and uniformity, and bulging or pressure deviation is pipes, tubing and ducts. 
     The circuit diagram shown in  FIG. 12  of the drawings, demonstrates the circuit diagram for the microprocessor/Arduino  60 / 160 / 260 , the IMU/gyroscope  50 / 150 / 250  and the Bluetooth module  70 / 170 / 270 . Also included, but not shown, would be a power supply, either local or remote, providing a low voltage power supply suitable for the operation of the electronic circuitry shown in  FIG. 12 . This may be supplied by a rechargeable, low-voltage battery or external power supply means, connecting through a USB cable or other low voltage connector, not shown. Low voltage is defined herein as a power supply of less than 27 volts. 
     While the deviation detection devices  10 , in one or more embodiments, have been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.