Diagnostic measurement devices and methods

Abstract

A device for measuring the angular difference in a range of motion of the arms of a patient comprises a gripping bar, a housing, and an angle-determining assembly comprising a weighted needle and a compass. When the patient raises her arms to their unassisted physiological limits, the device indicates an angle that represents the angular difference in the range of motion between the arms of the patient.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of measuring an angular difference in a range of motion of the arms of a patient in need thereof, comprising:
 obtaining a device comprising:
 a gripping bar comprising a left end, a right end, and a midpoint equidistant between the left end and the right end; 
 a housing attached to the gripping bar at the midpoint, and an angle-determining assembly supported by the housing, the angle-determining assembly comprising 
 a weighted needle configured to point vertically when subjected to the force of gravity; 
 a base affixed to the housing, wherein the weighted needle is rotatably attached to the base by an axle; and 
 a compass configured to indicate with the weighted needle an angle between an absolute vertical axis and a vertical axis of the housing perpendicular to the gripping bar; 
   having the patient grip the left end in the patient's left hand palm facing down and the right end in the patient's right hand palm facing down;   having the patient raise both arms to both arms' unassisted physiological limits;   observing on the compass the angle indicated by the weighted needle,   wherein the angle represents the angular difference in the range of motion of the arms of the patient; and   diagnosing the patient with an injury, disease, or asymmetry when the angle is 10° or more.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the axle supports a weighted pendulum and the weighted needle. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the weighted needle is metal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the weighted pendulum is metal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one weight. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping bar comprises
 a central portion comprising the midpoint and the housing attached at the midpoint, further comprising a left side opposite a right side about the midpoint, a left spring-loaded button on the left side and a right spring-loaded button on the right side;   a left hand grip comprising the left end and a left-side series of holes, the left hand grip being slidably mounted on the left side of the central portion so that the left spring-loaded button selectively engages any hole in the left-side series of holes to adjust the length of the gripping bar; and   a right hand grip comprising the right end and a right-side series of holes, the right hand grip being slidably mounted on the right side of the central portion so that the right spring-loaded button selectively engages any hole in the right-side series of holes to adjust the length of the gripping bar.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping bar further comprises, at the left end and the right end, one or more gripping aids chosen from foam grips and handlebar grips. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping bar further comprises, at the left end and the right end, one or more gripping aids which are straps, wherein the method further comprises affixing the left end to the patient's left hand and the right end to the patient's right hand with the straps, before having the patient raise both arms. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the straps comprise hook-and-loop attachments. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the having the patient raise both arms is performed with the patient's hands being shoulder width apart. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the having the patient raise both arms is performed with the patient's hands being less than shoulder width apart. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the having the patient raise both arms is performed with the patient's hands being greater than shoulder width apart. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the having the patient raise both arms is performed against an increasing force. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one weight is greater than or equal to ten pounds.