Soft-Tissue Injury Diagnostic System Using sEMG and Inclinometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostic tools are inadequate for reliably diagnosing soft-tissue injuries and assessing associated pain, leading to misdiagnosis and financial burdens on the healthcare, insurance, and court systems due to the difficulty in visualizing and assessing soft-tissue injuries, even with advanced imaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
A soft-tissue-injury diagnostic system that combines surface electromyography (sEMG) and range-of-motion (ROM) testing, using inclinometers, dynamic and static sEMG modules, and video cameras to capture patient movements, allowing for comprehensive evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If advanced medical imaging techniques (MRI, CT, ultrasound) are used to assess soft-tissue injuries, then imaging capability is improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical imaging systems (MRI, CT scanners) with a simplified system using surface electromyography sensors and range-of-motion measurement devices. This substitution maintains diagnostic capability while dramatically reducing equipment complexity and cost by measuring physiological responses and movement patterns instead of imaging internal structures directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary measurement parameters (muscle activation patterns, range of motion, movement symmetry) that indirectly reveal soft-tissue injury conditions. Instead of directly imaging the injury, the system uses these intermediary measurements as proxies to diagnose and assess soft-tissue injuries, achieving accurate assessment without complex imaging equipment.
2Reliability
If multiple separate diagnostic tests are performed for soft-tissue injuries, then diagnostic comprehensiveness is improved, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple diagnostic functions (surface electromyography testing, range-of-motion measurement, video recording) into a single integrated system that performs all tests simultaneously during one patient evaluation session. This merging maintains comprehensive diagnostic capability while reducing total testing time by eliminating the need for separate testing appointments.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic system is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various soft-tissue injury assessments (different muscle groups, different joint ranges of motion, different injury types) using the same equipment and protocol framework, allowing comprehensive evaluation in a single unified testing session rather than requiring multiple specialized tests.
Data Source
AI summary
A soft-tissue-injury diagnostic system for diagnosing soft tissue injury within a patient includes a set of hand-held inclinometers configured and arranged for measuring angles formed between a first inclinometer disposed in proximity to a patient joint and a second inclinometer disposed distal to the joint during controlled patient movements of the joint. A plurality of measuring electrodes are coupleable in proximity to the patient's spine along the body portion that moves along the joint. The measuring electrodes are configured and arranged for measuring action potentials along patient muscle groups during the controlled patient movements of the joint and transmitting the measured action potentials to a dynamic surface electromyograph (“sEMG”) module. A hub receives and processes data from the inclinometers and the dynamic sEMG module. A visual display is configured and arranged for receiving and displaying the processed data.