Reciprocating Dynamometer for Limb Kinematics and Muscle Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack a dynamometer capable of simultaneously measuring the reciprocating torques and angular velocities of all four human limbs through a full range of motion, preventing the accurate assessment of human physical capacity and muscle composition, which limits advances in exercise physiology, healthcare, athletics, and anti-aging research.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating dynamometer that synchronizes angular movements of handles and pedals, adjusts for different body heights and limb lengths, and uses strain gages and encoders to plot cyclical moving averages of power over cycle frequency, enabling noninvasive reflection of muscle composition and peak cyclical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional dynamometers are used to measure torque and angular velocity of rotating devices, then power can be calculated, but they cannot measure reciprocating torques and angular velocities of human limbs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rotating mechanical measurement system with a reciprocating mechanical system adapted for human limb movement. The dynamometer uses a reciprocating crank mechanism that converts linear reciprocating motion of the lever into rotational motion for measurement, allowing accurate capture of reciprocating torques and angular velocities specific to human limb kinetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamometer is designed with adjustable parameters including lever length, pivot point position, and resistance settings that can be customized for different human users with varying body heights and limb lengths. This universal design allows the same device to accommodate diverse anthropometric measurements while maintaining measurement precision across different populations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dynamometer is designed to accommodate different body heights and limb lengths, then it can provide similar ranges of motion for all users, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamometer incorporates adjustable components such as variable lever lengths, movable pivot points, and configurable resistance mechanisms that can be dynamically adjusted to match different user anthropometrics. These dynamic adjustments allow the device to adapt its mechanical parameters to each user's body dimensions without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into modular segments including adjustable lever arms, separable resistance mechanisms, and configurable measurement sensors. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component to optimize performance for different users while simplifying the overall design and reducing complexity through standardized modular elements.
3Measurement precision
If muscle composition is assessed through biopsy, then accurate fiber typing is obtained, but muscle tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the invasive mechanical biopsy procedure with a non-invasive mechanical measurement system. The reciprocating dynamometer measures kinetic parameters (torque, angular velocity, power output) during exercise performance, which are then used to infer muscle composition characteristics through mathematical modeling and regression analysis, eliminating the need for physical tissue extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer of performance-based measurements and computational analysis between the physical muscle tissue and the composition assessment. By measuring external kinetic parameters and using these as proxies for internal muscle properties through validated regression models, the system indirectly assesses muscle composition without direct tissue contact or damage.
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 assessment of human physical capacity and muscle composition, providing a new perspective on exercise research, improving athletic performance, and challenging aging-related assumptions, while offering a safer and more intense exercise testing method.
Implementation Method 1
Measurements of elapsed time, torque input to each lever and angular displacement of each lever
Implementation Method 2
angular displacement of each lever enable a plot of cyclical moving average of power over cycle frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A reciprocating dynamometer assesses human physical capacity and muscle composition by: (1) simultaneously working all four limbs of the body through a full range of motion while maximally loading the muscles through a full range of speeds; (2) simultaneously capturing the reciprocating torques and reciprocating angular velocities of all four reciprocating limbs, and (3) adjusting to provide similar ranges of motion for limb joints of human subjects of different body height and limb length. Levers provide synchronized, reciprocating, angular movements for handles and pedals while adjustable brakes oppose reciprocating motion during a 15 second test of maximal exertion. Measurements of elapsed time, torque input to each lever and angular displacement of each lever enable a plot of cyclical moving average of power over cycle frequency for each limb. Peak cyclical power is the maximal rate of work performed, averaged over one movement cycle. Cycle frequency at peak cyclical power is a noninvasive reflection of muscle composition (fiber typing). Fundamental to this device and method is use of moving averages based not on time, but on movement cycle.