Apparatus and method for measuring spinal instability
US4899761A · kind A · utility
166Cited by
8References
22Claims
0Family size
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1988 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/4666
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for measuring spinal instability provides a vertebrae distractor having a pair of distractor arms driven by a motor which separate adjacent vertebrae of a motion segment unit of the spine at a constant rate of distraction up to a predetermined maximum force and measuring the resistance of the adjacent vertebrae to the force. The changes in the resistance to distraction are detected and recorded. The data thus provided is then compared to predetermined standards. A determination concerning further treatment of the subject patient may be based upon the results obtained.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.