Apparatus and Method for Characterizing Contributions of Forces Associated with a Body Part of a Subject

Abstract

A method and apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement is provided. The method includes causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner and monitoring quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part and external force on the body part. At least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part is determined from the quantities measured.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner;    means for monitoring quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part and external force on the body part; and    means for determining at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part from the quantities measured.    
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 means for monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part in relation to displacement of the body part.    
   
   
       18 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for causing movement of the body part include a mechanical arm.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for causing movement of the body part includes an actuator.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for monitoring displacement of the body part includes means for accepting signals for controlling the position of the body part.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the means for monitoring displacement of the body part includes means for generating signals for related to the position of the body part and forces generated by the body part.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the apparatus comprising: 
 an appendage coupled to the body part for causing movement of the body part in a prescribed manner;    a measurement device that measures quantities related to at least one of displacement of the body part, external forces on the body part and force generated by the appendage; and    a computational device in communication with the measurement device for determining at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part.    
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 a surface electromyographic recorder for monitoring the activity of a muscle associated with the body part.    
   
   
       24 . An apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the computational device calculates forces necessary to move the body part when no muscle activity is detected.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the body part is a leg and the appendage attaches to the leg and causes knee and hip joints of the leg to move in patterns similar to those generated when walking.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the measurement device measures angular displacement of the knee and hip joints.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the measurement device measures forces generated by the appendage in rotating the knee and hip joints.  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the appendage includes an actuator.  
   
   
       29 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the measurement device includes an input for receiving and an output for transmitting signals related to displacement of the appendage and of the body part and forces generated by the appendage and the body part.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the appendage includes the measurement device.  
   
   
       31 . An apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the measurement device is integrated with an actuator.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the measurement device is integrated with an actuator.  
   
   
       33 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a display for displaying 
 the at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part to a clinician.    
   
   
       34 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a display for displaying the at least one quantity related to a force contribution associated with the body part to the subject.