Muscle Assessment System with Force Gauging and Protocol Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current muscle assessment technologies lack real-time, integrated, and comprehensive assessment protocols, often requiring multiple assessments at different times, which can be tedious and prone to errors due to patient motion or positional artifacts, especially for orofacial muscles.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a force-gauging device with pressure-sensing components and electronic circuitry, coupled with a computing device that builds and executes muscle assessment protocols based on patient characteristics, providing real-time muscle parameter measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate muscle assessments are performed at different times, then comprehensive muscle evaluation can be achieved, but the assessment process becomes tedious and prone to errors due to patient motion or positional artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple muscle assessment functions into a single integrated system that can evaluate multiple muscle groups simultaneously. The force-gauging device incorporates multiple sensors that can measure forces from different muscle groups (e.g., hand grip, finger flexion, orofacial muscles) in one unified assessment session, eliminating the need for separate assessments performed at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The assessment system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various muscle assessment types through a single device. The system can adaptively select and execute different assessment protocols based on the patient's condition and requirements, making the device universal for evaluating multiple muscle groups including hand, arm, and orofacial muscles without requiring separate specialized equipment for each muscle group.
2Productivity
If traditional muscle assessment methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but real-time integrated assessment is not achieved and patient movement causes measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical assessment methods with an electronically integrated system that uses force sensors, transducers, and digital processing. The force-gauging device incorporates electronic sensors that convert mechanical forces into electrical signals, which are then processed by a computing device to provide real-time feedback and integrated assessment results, substituting mechanical measurement systems with electromechanical integration.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive muscle assessments including orofacial muscles are performed, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the system must accommodate patient movement which complicates the assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment system incorporates dynamic capabilities to adapt to patient movement during assessment. The system can dynamically adjust assessment protocols, reposition sensors, or modify measurement parameters in real-time based on detected movement. The force-gauging device is designed to maintain accurate measurements even when the patient moves, allowing for flexible positioning and movement during the assessment process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables comprehensive, real-time muscle assessments in a diagnostic or therapeutic environment, reducing errors and improving efficiency by integrating force measurements from various muscle groups, including orofacial muscles, while accommodating patient movement.
Implementation Method 1
The force-gauging device includes at least one pressure-sensing component (e.g., transducer, pressure sensor, etc.) configured to respond to a force applied by a subject and produce one or more output signals
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are described for assessing muscle parameters (e.g., force(s) exerted, force dynamics, strength, voluntary muscle movement, etc.) in a diagnostic or therapeutic environment. The muscle parameter assessment system includes a force-gauging device and a computing device. The force-gauging device includes at least one pressure-sensing component (e.g., transducer, pressure sensor, etc.) configured to respond to a force applied by a subject and produce one or more output signals. The force-gauging device can further include electronic circuitry configured to convert the output signals into data indicative of a muscle parameter. The computing device is configured to build a muscle assessment protocol based on one or more patient characteristics and/or user input. The computing device is further configured to execute one or more muscle assessments via the force-gauging device, receive data from the force-gauging device, and determine one or more muscle measurements for a subject.