| abstract |
A method and device for the quantification of muscle tone, particularly the wrist, wherein non-sinusoidal and non ramp trajectories are used to drive the wrist. Equation 1 is utilized determine the stiffness, viscosity and inertial parameters.wherein where taus is the total torque, tauoff is the offset torque, KH and BH are the angular stiffness and viscosity of the combined flexor and extensor muscle groups that act on the joint, JT is the combined inertia of the oscillating appendage, theta is the angular displacement of the system, andare the velocity and acceleration. In accordance with the method, the trajectory theta(t) is controlled, the torque response tau(t) is measured and the stiffness, viscosity, and inertial parameters are determined using Equation 1. The method and device are particularly suitable for use on patients with spacisity. |