| 摘要 |
Apparatus is provided which enable the assessment of mobility of human and/or animal joints to be carried out. A flexible transducer includes a conductive elastomer which, when stretched, provides a change in an electrical output signal. The transducer is located over the joint to be investigated and during movement of the joint electrical signals from the transducer output which are a function of joint mobility, are produced. The signals are digitized and stored in a memory and are compared with a bank of data from normal and pathological subjects stored in a continuously updated memory. When the comparison locates the 'best fit' between the joint movement and the stored data, the type of joint movement is classified and the result is presented on a visual display unit. The movement signal can be conditioned so that the angular displacement of the joint, the rate of joint movement, acceleration of the joint can be estimated and classified. The force produced by the joint can also be calculated using the acceleration and an estimate of the mass moved. This system permits the progress of an individual to be monitored and to identify joint movement characteristics in particular patient populations. The transducer, when combined in a composite unit with electrodes is also used to accurately assess the degree of neuromuscular activity during and after anaethesia.
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