Method and apparatus for assessing hand strength
An apparatus for assessing a person's hand strength including means for engaging the hand. The apparatus including means for determining the strength of the hand based on a twisting action with the hand of the engaging means relative to the determining means. The engaging means is connected to the determining means. A method for assessing a person's hand strength including the steps of gripping a first object having a first diameter with the hand by the person. There is the step of twisting the first object with the hand. There is the step of measuring torque with a torque sensor, connected to the first object, of the object as it is being twisted by the hand.
1. An apparatus for assessing a person's hand strength comprising:
means for engaging the hand;
means for determining the strength of the hand based on a twisting action with the hand of the engaging means relative to the determining means, the engaging means connected to the determining means, the determining means includes a torciue sensor and a housing in which the torque sensor is disposed, the engaging means includes a first object connected to the torque sensor and extending from the housing having a first diameter which simulates opening a jar with the hand by the person when the person turns the first object; and
an indicator that shows the strength of the hand.
2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the engaging means includes a second object connected to the torque sensor and extending from the housing having a second diameter less than the first diameter that can replace the first object which simulates turning a key with the hand by the person when the person turns the second object.
3. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the determining means has a display which displays torque sensed by the torque sensor.
4. An apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein the determining means includes securing means attached to the housing that holds the housing in place.
5. An apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein the securing means includes suction cups.
6. An apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the first object is a first disk and the second object is a second disk.
7. A method for assessing a person's hand strength comprising the steps of:
gripping a first object having a first diameter with the hand by the person;
twisting the first object with the hand;
measuring torque with a torque sensor, connected to the first object, of the object as it is being twisted by the hand; and
replacing the first object with a second object having a second diameter less than the first diameter, and repeating the gripping, twisting and measuring steps with the second object.
8. A method as described in claim 7 including the step of securing a housing, from which the first object extends and in which the torque sensor is disposed, in place on to a structure.
9. A method as described in claim 8 including the step of displaying the torque measured by the torque sensor.