Laser stabilometer

Abstract

FIELD: stabilography.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to stabilography - quantitative assessment of biomechanical body stability (balance function), which is an important indicator of the physical characteristics of a particular person. The claimed stabilometer consists of a laser pointer and a photodetector in a light-proof box with an electronic circuit. Wherein the front wall of the box is a target with a central hole, and the laser pointer is fixed on the examined part of the body so that the subject visually controls the hitting of the laser spot on the centre of the target, wherein the amount of light passing into the photodetector per unit time interval is summed by the electronic circuit and as a quantitative measure of his psychophysiological stability is output to an electrical measuring instrument.EFFECT: creation of a stabilometer having high parameters of sensitivity and resolution, simple in design and maintenance.1 cl, 1 dwg

Description

[0001] Quantitative assessment of the body's biomechanical stability (balance function) is an important indicator of a specific person's physical characteristics and, through them, the state of their central nervous system. Therefore, it is of great interest to physicians and their patients, as well as to trainers, teachers, athletes, pilots, drivers, and other professionals whose activities require vestibular stability in various situations. Devices for this purpose are called stabilographs; they first appeared in 1952 [1] and are currently produced by several Russian companies (see, for example, descriptions [2,3]). In all of these devices, the subject stands on a moving platform supported by four strain gauges, the signals from which, after processing by special measuring systems, provide an indication of the position and dynamics of the subject's center of gravity.

[0002] Stabilographs of this type have a number of significant drawbacks. Specifically, their use is only possible in a comprehensive laboratory setting, requiring the use of a strain gauge platform with an electronic and computer processing, control, and display unit. It is also significant that upright standing is the predominant, if not the only, acceptable working posture for the subject or patient. These circumstances limit the potential application of stabilographs, for example, in practical medicine for the rehabilitation of disorders of individual human organs or specific functions. There are also concerns regarding their sensitivity and resolution, which depend on the platform size and the quality of the strain gauges.

[0003] The purpose of the work is to create a device with high parameters in sensitivity and resolution, simple in design and maintenance, suitable for use in any position, in any room and for any organ (standing, sitting, lying down, arms, legs, head), affordable in cost, easy to operate and identify the results (Based on the method of presenting the measurement results (voltmeter readings), the claimed device is more appropriately called a stabilometer.).

[0004] Method for achieving the goal. The device's development is based on the idea of ​​using a laser beam as an indicator of the mechanical stability of the body or its organs. A laser pointer is firmly attached to the subject, and the beam is directed at the target of a photodetector, which converts the light into an electrical signal. The photodetector is a light-tight box installed at a certain distance within the subject's line of sight. On the near side of the box is a target with a central hole through which the laser beam enters the photodetector and is recorded by an electronic circuit. Due to the inevitable vibrations of the subject, the laser spot moves chaotically across the target. The amount of light entering the target hole during a single measurement interval is summed up by the electronic circuit and displayed on an indicator—a voltmeter. The result depends on the mechanical stability of the body with the laser and, consequently, on the psychophysiological state of the subject.The sensitivity of the device depends on the beam path length (the distance between the laser and the target), the laser power, the diameter of the hole on the target, the parameters of the electronic circuit and the indicator - the electrical measuring instrument.

[0005] Stabilometer device. The proposed device consists of a laser (LED pointer) with a mechanism for attaching it to the subject's body, and a receiving device in the form of an opaque box. The front wall of the box serves as a target with a central hole. Inside the box is an electronic circuit that measures the amount of laser light entering the box per unit time interval and displays the result on an electrical measuring device. The readings from this device are a measure of the subject's stability.

[0006] The sensitivity and resolution of the device are adjusted by selecting the diameter of the target hole (adjustable in the range of 2-4 mm), the distance between the laser and the target (set from 4 m depending on the size of the room) and the duration of the measurement interval (starting from 15 s).

[0007] The location of the laser attachment on the subject's body can be different, as can his posture, and is determined only by the specific task of the research or exercise.

[0008] Working with the stabilometer. The device's portability allows it to be installed in any room with power outlets, a clear path for the laser beam, and space for the subject and the photodetector box. The laser pointer is attached, for example, to the subject's head so that the target is within their line of sight. During the test, the subject monitors the spot for a set period of time and holds their head so that the laser spot remains on the hole in the center of the target for as long as possible. The light passing through the hole is recorded by the photodetector, converted into an electrical signal, summed, and displayed as a numerical value on the indicator at the end of the interval. This procedure is repeated at least three times, and the result is averaged.

[0009] The numerical result obtained in this way represents an estimated level of stability of the subject's body or organ at a given time and under given measurement conditions. Therefore, the measurement protocol must include the beam length, target aperture diameter, and time interval duration. For long-term, repeated observations, a series of measurements is first taken, and based on these, an average value is determined as the stability norm for the specific user's body or organ. The psychodynamic or functional state of the body or the effectiveness of treatment is then assessed by comparing the results with this norm.

[0010] Advantages of the proposed stabilometer

[0011] 1. It is simple in design, consists of cheap and readily available parts, and can be made in a classroom setting. Both adults and children can use it.

[0012] 2. It is easily adjustable in terms of resolution and sensitivity within a wide range.

[0013] 3. It is mobile, quickly installed in any room, the user easily learns the measurement procedure, and it takes 5-10 minutes.

[0014] 4. It can be used for research and training of any part of the user's body.

[0015] 5. During the measurement procedure, the user can take any position: standing, sitting, lying down, bending.

[0016] Literature:

[0017] 1. Babsky E.B., Gurfinkel V.S., et al. Methodology for studying the stability of a state. 1952.

[0018] 2. https: / / mederia.ru / upload / iblock / 7fc / or7gwdbigevhvuetxeivt86tbul1btph.pdf 2022.

[0019] 3. https: / / www.biomera.ru / documents / patents /

Claims

A stabilometer consisting of a laser pointer and a photodetector in a light-tight box with an electronic circuit, characterized in that the front wall of the box is a target with a central hole, and the laser pointer is fixed on the part of the body being examined so that the subject visually controls the laser spot hitting the center of the target, while the amount of light passing into the photodetector in a unit interval of time is summarized by the electronic circuit and, as a quantitative measure of its psychophysiological stability, is output to an electrical measuring instrument.