Spring-loaded device for eliciting deep tendon reflexes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11529128-B2
Application number	US-201916262475-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2019
Priority date	Jan 30, 2018
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

A deep tendon reflex-eliciting device actuated by pressure against a patient's skin, which releases a spring-loaded mass that delivers an impulse through a fully-enclosed housing. This device includes a weight contained within the casings, and a mainspring in communication with the weight. The mainspring has a bias toward expansion. In the compressed position, the mainspring is also compressed, and the weight is pushed backwards into the rear casing. The weight is released to be driven forward by the mainspring. The weight strikes the inside of the forward casing, delivering an impulse to a surface against Which the device is pressed. A reset spring can push apart the forward and rear casings to reset the device to its expanded position. A case screw is also included which is able to consistently set the impact force of the device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for assessing reflexes in a subject, comprising:
a forward casing;
a rear casing coupled to the forward casing;
wherein the forward and the rear casing form a housing;
the forward casing configured for moving from a first ready position to a second activated position;
an impulse generator operably connected to the activatable hammer, where the impulse generator includes a weight which slides within the housing under the force of a mainspring, to provide an impulse to the forward casing causing the forward casing to move to the second activated position;
a reset spring operably connected to the forward casing, wherein the reset spring facilitates return of the forward casing to the first ready position;
a case screw operably connected to the impulse generator to provide control of the amount of force exerted by the impulse generator against the forward casing;
wherein activation of the impulse generator causes the forward casing to exert force against the skin of the subject to elicit a reflex.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the case screw comprises a stop at one end of the case screw to prevent the case screw from disengaging from the impulse generator, and where the case screw can be positioned by an end user to adjust the force exerted by the impulse generator against the forward casing.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein a stop is positioned to prevent the case screw from backing out of either side of the rear casing.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the forward casing contains a sear that holds a weight toward an end of the rear casing in preparation for activation of the weight.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein when the sear is triggered by a ramp, the weight is released to be driven forward by the mainspring, the weight strikes an inside of the forward casing delivering an impulse to a surface against which the forward casing is pressed.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the forward casing is coupled to the rear casing with an assembly tab which slides within an assembly channel.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an elastomer head secured at a front end of the forward casing.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the elastomer head may be composed of elastomers selected from the group consisting of silicone and urethane rubber.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the rear casing further comprises a ramp, an assembly tab, and a reset tab coupled to the rear casing by a spring guide which forms a hollow tube shape.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the assembly tab, reset tab, and the ramp are symmetrically present on both sides of the rear casing.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the case screw has exterior markings to allow for setting the case screw at the same position with increased accuracy.

12. A device for eliciting a deep tendon reflex in a subject, comprising:
a forward casing;
a rear casing coupled to the forward casing,
wherein the forward and rear casings collectively are a housing;
a weight enclosed within the housing;
a mainspring having one end positioned at a rear surface of the rear casing and the opposite end positioned on the weight, where the mainspring has a bias of expansion; and
a reset spring disposed through the weight and in communication with the rear casing and the front casing,
wherein the device includes a resting position, a compressed position, and a released position,
wherein the forward and rear casings are in slidable communication with each other between the expanded and compressed positions,
wherein in the expanded position, the mainspring is unloaded, and the reset spring is unloaded,
wherein in the compressed position, the mainspring is loaded, and the reset spring is loaded,
wherein in the released position, the mainspring is unloaded, and the reset spring is loaded, such that during a transition between the compressed position and the released position, the weight travels forward within the housing and places a force on a front surface of the forward casing.

13. A method of eliciting deep tendon reflex response from a subject, comprising:
providing a reflex testing apparatus;
wherein the reflex testing apparatus includes:
a forward casing;
a rear casing coupled to the forward casing;
wherein the forward and the rear casing form a housing;
wherein the forward casing is capable of moving from a first ready position to a second activated position;
an impulse generator operably connected to the forward casing, where the impulse generator provides an impulse to the forward casing to activate the forward casing to the second activated position;
a reset spring operably connected to the forward casing, wherein the reset spring facilitates return of the forward casing to the first ready position;
a case screw operably connected to the impulse generator to provide control of the amount of force exerted by the impulse generator against the forward casing;
positioning the reflex testing apparatus against the subject's skin over a tendon;
activating the reflex testing apparatus;
wherein activation of the reflex testing apparatus elicits a deep tendon reflex in the subject.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the case screw has markings to enable setting the case screw to a desired position.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the subject is any of hypo-reflexive, normo-reflexive, or hyper-reflexive.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the activation of the reflex testing apparatus elicits a deep tendon reflex that can be consistently repeated using the reflex testing apparatus in which the case screw is set to the same position.

Assignees

• Univ South Florida

Inventors

• Hong Kevin Chao

Classifications

• A61B5/4523

  Tendons · CPC title

• A61H1/008

  Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation · CPC title

• A61B9/00 Primary

  Instruments for examination by percussion; Pleximeters · CPC title

• A61B5/4041

  Evaluating nerves condition · CPC title

• A61H39/00

  Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture (chiropodists' instruments A61B17/54; {for radiation therapy A61N5/0619}) · CPC title