Apparatus and method for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject
View Patent ↗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. A method for characterizing contributions of forces associated with a body part of a subject when the body part is involved in movement, the method comprising:
applying external forces to the body so as to cause movement of the body part in a first manner and a second manner, wherein the first manner includes causing a large displacement of the body part at a slow displacement rate and the second manner includes causing a small displacement of the body part at a rapid displacement rate, wherein the body part exerts an internal force to contribute to the movement of the body part;
monitoring quantities related to the displacements of the body part and the external forces applied to the body part; and
determining at least one quantity related to the contribution of the internal force generated by the body part from the quantities measured.
2. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part in relation to the displacements of the body part.
3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising;
monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part when the muscle is relaxed.
4. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring activity of a muscle associated with the body part when the muscle is active.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the body part includes a limb.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the body part includes a set of limbs.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacements of the body part includes monitoring a displacement of a joint associated with the body part.
8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the joint is a knee.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along a knee-flexion-extension axis.
10. A method according to claim 8 , wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along a knee pronation-supination axis.
11. A method according to claim 8 , wherein monitoring quantities related to the displacement of the knee includes monitoring displacement along an eversion-inversion axis.
12. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the joint is a hip.
13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein causing movement of the body part further includes causing cyclic movement typical of walking.