Spring-Biased Palpometer for Consistent Deep Pain Sensitivity Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing deep pain sensitivity, such as manual palpation and commercial esthesiometers, lack accuracy and repeatability, and are not universally accessible due to equipment costs.
Innovation Solution
A manually actuated palpometer with a spring-biased probe that provides a uniform and repeatable stimulation, allowing examiners to apply a predetermined pressure consistently, facilitating improved palpation procedures for evaluating deep pain sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual palpation is used to assess deep pain sensitivity, then the method is simple and accessible, but the accuracy and repeatability of pressure application deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The palpometer employs a spring-biased probe that automatically applies a predetermined force without requiring the examiner to manually control the pressure. The spring mechanism self-regulates the force application, eliminating variability in manual pressure control while keeping the device simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the variable parameter of manual pressure application into a fixed, predetermined force parameter through the spring mechanism. This parameter change ensures consistent force application across multiple measurements and different examiners, improving repeatability while maintaining ease of use.
2Measurement precision
If commercial esthesiometers or electronic pressure algometers are used, then the measurement precision and repeatability improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The palpometer uses a simple spring mechanism instead of expensive electronic sensors or complex mechanical systems. The device is designed to be affordable and potentially disposable or easily replaceable, eliminating the need for costly electronic components while maintaining measurement precision through mechanical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential function of force application from complex electronic algometers, isolating the core mechanism (spring-biased probe) from unnecessary electronic components. This extraction maintains measurement capability while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost.
3Reliability
If a spring-biased probe with predetermined force is used, then the repeatability of pressure application improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The palpometer is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing, a spring mechanism, and a probe. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while ensuring reliable force application through the dedicated spring component.
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
The palpometer reduces test-retest variability and effectively detects differences in deep pain sensitivity, enabling the construction of robust stimulus-response curves with low coefficient of variation, thus enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses for conditions like TMD and arthritis.
Implementation Method 1
an axially displaceable, spring-biased probe (14) for axial displacement through openings (18, 28) at opposite axial ends of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a bias spring (24) coaxially disposed within the housing and surrounding the probe body, between the annular flange or shoulder (22) and the distal buttress (34)
Data Source
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Figure 6A~8
AI summary
A palpometer device (10, 110) for assisting an examiner to evaluate deep pain sensitivity in a patient which includes a housing (12, 112) supporting an axially displaceable spring -biased probe (14, 114) having a proximal end (16, 116) extending from an axial bore (18, 118) in a proximal axial face (20, 120) of the housing, and adapted for abutting contact with the patient. Within the housing, the spring -biased probe incorporates an annular flange (22, 122) for engaging one end of a bias spring (24, 124) coaxially disposed within the housing. The bias spring is disposed coaxially about the probe to resist axial displacement of the housing towards the proximal end of the probe upon manual application of a bias force to the housing, when the proximal end of the probe is in contact with a patient's body.