text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Oct 4, 2011
|Filing date
|Oct 5, 2006
|Priority date
|Oct 6, 2005
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Mark T. Finneran, Timothy G. Biro
|Original Assignee
|Spinematrix, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (17), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (3), Classifications (10), Legal Events (6)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/725,021 filed Oct. 6, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
An exemplary embodiment relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring and analyzing the level of muscle activity in a patient by the sensing and analysis of electromyographic signals derived from a non-invasive body surface electrode array positioned close to a muscle group. Particularly an exemplary embodiment relates to a method and system for evaluating levels of muscle activity such as muscle contraction in the back of a patient for purposes of distinguishing between different pain producing conditions.
Knowledge of the presence of electromyographic (EMG) signals in the muscles of humans, and the change of these signals with muscle activity, spawned development of electronic devices and techniques for monitoring those signals for the evaluation of the muscles. Human musculature, however, involves many hundreds of muscles in various muscle groups, which interact to provide skeletal support and movement. Much of the recent development has been concerned with the techniques and/or devices for monitoring the signals, analyzing the information obtained and providing reliable and useful data for the patient or treating physician.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,312 of Dec. 21, 1999, hereby incorporated by reference herein shows an example of a system and method for sensing and monitoring EMG signals in a patient. U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,062 of Jun. 1, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference herein shows a further example of a system and method for sensing and monitoring EMG signals using a flexible and extensible EMG electrode array placed adjacent the back of a patient.
Each of these patents shows examples of systems operative to acquire data representative of the relative level of muscle activity across a two dimensional area. These systems employ an EMG electrode array comprised of a two dimensional grid of electrodes. These electrodes are placed in adhesive contact with the patient using an electrically conductive adhesive such as hydrogel.
The electrical signals are captured from each of the electrodes in the array. In one example embodiment, to quantify the relative level of muscle activity detected for each electrode, these systems calculate a root-mean-square (RMS) voltage between each pairing of adjacent electrodes. Data representative of the calculated RMS values for adjacent electrodes may be visually displayed in a two dimensional image. Such an image can be superimposed above different muscle groups to assist in diagnosing a pain causing condition being experienced by the patient.
However, the lower back of a human patient has 48 paired symmetric muscles. Correlating the data produced from an electrode array to various combinations of the muscles in the lower back of a patient may not reveal which condition is causing pain in the lower back of the patient. Thus there exists a need for a new method and system for analyzing EMG data acquired from a patient's back for purposes of making an accurate determination as to what pain causing conditions the patient may or may not have.
An object of an exemplary embodiment is to provide a system and method for determining a pain causing condition of a patient.
A further object of an exemplary embodiment is to provide a system and method for determining a pain causing condition associated with a patient's back.
A further object of an exemplary embodiment is to provide a system and method for determining a pain causing condition associated with a patient's back using data acquired from an EMG electrode device.
Further objects of exemplary embodiments will be made apparent in the following Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention and the appended Claims.
The electromyographic (EMG) diagnostic system of an exemplary embodiment is particularly suited for evaluation of the lower back of a human. The system may include an EMG sensor device comprised of a plurality of EMG sensors that is placed in operative connection with the back of a patient. In one embodiment the EMG sensors may include an array of EMG electrodes which are placed in contact adjacent the skin of the patient. However, in other embodiments, the EMG sensors may correspond to needles or other devices which puncture the skin. As used herein an EMG sensor device, shall be defined as any device or group of devices that are operative to detect electrical signals from a patient corresponding to a relative level of muscle activity at a plurality of positions in a two dimensional area of the patient.
The system may process the EMG signals to determine EMG data which characterizes different features associated with one or more measurements of EMG signals from a patient. The determined characterizations of the EMG data can then be correlated to predetermined characterizations associated with known back conditions. For example, different types of patterns associated with areas of elevated muscle activity across the detection area of the sensor device may be characterized. The patterns may be characterized in a manner which identifies features associated with one or more positions of electrode pair groupings of relatively higher or elevated muscle activity. Identified pattern characterizations may be compared or correlated to predetermined characterizations of patterns associated with known back conditions for purposes of identifying which of a plurality of back conditions is most likely associated with a particular patient.
For example, a facet condition such as facet joint syndrome may be identified from the presence in the detection area of a single continuous grouping of relatively higher muscle activity which transverses the vertebral column, but has a peak level of muscle activity that is laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column. In another example, a disc condition such as discogenic low back pain may be identified from the presence in the detection area of two to three separated groupings of relatively higher muscle activity. In one example a disc condition may be indicated by the presence of three groupings of relatively higher muscle activity, where two of the groupings are located generally symmetrically on opposed sides of the spine, while a third grouping is located generally centered on the vertebral column relatively lower on the vertebral column than the first two groupings.
In one embodiment, the determination as to whether the patient is more likely associated with a facet condition, a disc condition, or another condition may be done manually. Such a manual determination may be carried out through inspection of a system generated image representative of the detection area, which image visually displays the grouping(s) of relatively higher levels of muscle activity. To determine a possible cause for back pain in the patient, the person performing the determination may attempt to visually match features of the grouping(s) identified in the image with the predetermined characterizations of groupings associated with known conditions such as a facet condition, a disc condition, or other conditions.
In another embodiment, the determination may be made through operation of a software program which evaluates the data to identify grouping(s) in the detection area and to match the identified groupings with predetermined characterization data stored in a data store for a facet condition, a disc condition, or other conditions.
In further exemplary embodiments, other EMG data determined responsive to the EMG signals may be evaluated either manually or by software when determining whether the patient has a facet condition, a disc condition, or another condition. For example, data from the detection area may be acquired and evaluated for the patient standing in different positions. Such positions may include the patient standing: in a first position with the back of the patient in a generally vertical orientation; in a second position with the back of the patient bent forward with respect to the generally vertical orientation; and in a third position with the arms of the patient held out in from of the patient while holding weights.
The EMG data associated with the different positions may then be evaluated to determine information useful for identifying a back condition. For example, such additional information may include determining from the EMG data, a maximum RMS voltage associated with each position of the patient, which is compared to normal ranges of maximum RMS voltage for patients without back conditions in the corresponding positions, of corresponding gender and/or with corresponding percent ideal body weight or body mass index.
As used herein, a "normal" back condition generally corresponds to a patient's back that does not have pain or an injury. In one embodiment, the term "acute" may correspond to a back condition in which a patient has had 6-12 weeks of pain or less, while "chronic" may correspond to back condition in which a patient has in excess of 6-12 weeks of pain. However it is to be understood that such definitions of acute and chronic may vary in the medical field, therefore alternative embodiments may not categorize a determined back condition as acute or chronic or may categorize a determined back condition as acute or chronic based on different definitions of these terms.
Also as used herein, facet joint syndrome corresponds to a facet injury and is referred to herein as a facet condition. A facet is one of many small joints in the spine. There are two facets for each vertebral level or disc level (one on the left and one on the right). Also as used herein, discongenic low back pain corresponds to a disc injury and is referred to herein as a disc condition. A disc is the ligamentous structure between two vertebral bodies. The outer ring, or annulus of the disc is designed to hold the bones together and to keep the soft central portion of the disc, the nucleus pulposis, in place. A disc condition injury may correspond to a disc that is sprained, herniated or slipped.
Other back conditions which may be diagnosed with the described exemplary embodiments may include a back muscle injury and other conditions which produce EMG data with identifying characteristics. For example an injury to one or more muscles associated with the spine is referred to herein as a muscle injury.
Other conditions that may be examined and identified using exemplary embodiments include: a "chronic pain free" condition which corresponds to a patient with chronic intermittent low back pain who is pain free at the time the person is examined; and "chronic exacerbation" which corresponds to a patient with chronic intermittent low back pain who has pain at the time of the examination.
An exemplary embodiment may include a method of analyzing EMG data to identify a back condition. Such a method may include a step of determining EMG data for a patient responsive to EMG signals detected from a detection area on a back of the patient using an EMG sensor device. In addition this described method may include determining whether the determined EMG data for the patient corresponds to predetermined EMG data associated with at least one of a facet condition and a disc condition and/or other back conditions.
An alternative exemplary embodiment may correspond to a system operative to carry out these steps. Such a system may include a processor of a computer that is operative to determine the EMG data responsive to the EMG signals. Such a system may display all or portions of the determined EMG data through a display device in operative connection with the processor. A technician may then compare the displayed EMG data for the patient to a table of predetermined sets of features of EMG data. In such a table, each set is associated with a different back condition (e.g. facet condition, disc condition, muscle condition). Thus by matching EMG data determined from the patient displayed on the output device to predetermined EMG data in the table, the technician may determine a back condition associated with the patient. In this described embodiment, the table of predetermined EMG data may be printed on a card or other object. In another exemplary embodiment, the processor may be operative to output the table through the display device.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the predetermined EMG data may be stored in a data store in operative connection with the processor. The processor may be operative to determine whether the determined EMG data for the patient corresponds to predetermined EMG data associated with at least one of a facet condition and a disc condition. The processor may than cause the display device to output which of the different back conditions was determined by the processor to correspond to the EMG data from the patient.
An alternative exemplary embodiment may include a method comprising detecting EMG signals from a detection area on a back of a patient using an EMG sensor device. This method may further include determining through operation of at least one processor, EMG data for the patient responsive to the detected EMG signals. In addition the method may include comparing the EMG data for the patient to predetermined EMG data, which correlates a plurality of back conditions to respective sets of features of EMG data. The back conditions correlated in the predetermined EMG data may include a facet condition, a disc condition, and/or other conditions such as a muscle condition. Also, this described method may include determining whether the EMG data for the patient is indicative of at least one of the facet condition, the disc condition, and/or other conditions responsive to the results of the comparing step.
This alternative exemplary embodiment may also be carried out by a system. The system may include a processor of a computer that is in operative communication with a data store. The data store may include the predetermined EMG data stored therein. The processor may be operative to carry out the described determining and comparing steps and may be operative to cause a display device to output which of the back conditions corresponds to the EMG data associated with the patient. However, it is to be understood that in alternative exemplary embodiments, a technician may carry out the comparing step to determine which of the back conditions corresponds to the EMG data determined by the system for the patient.
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to
The muscle structure is a complicated array of muscles consisting of at least sixty-nine erector and intrinsic muscles in the thoracolumbosacral spine extending from about the tenth thoracic vertebrae 18 to the sacrum 20. These are the primary muscles with which exemplary embodiments are concerned and occur in layers from deep to superficial. Also formed in the superficial region of the lower back are several muscles which are not classical erector muscles. These latter muscles may also produce EMG signals which serve to complicate the evaluation process and may require discrimination, but which are not a primary source of the lower back pain syndrome affecting the greater portion of the patient population.
EMG signals and their relation to muscle functions are well understood at the current state of investigations. Muscles are controlled by nerves, the latter transmitting an electrical signal to a particular muscle and causing contraction thereof. The muscle itself is a volume conductor reacting to the signal of the associated nerve. There is a voltage change that occurs when a muscle contracts creating an electric potential that is directly proportional to the strength of contraction and that can be captured from the external surface area of the patient, in this instance being the surface area of the thoracolumbosacral spine.
Referring now to
The sensor pad 101 may further comprise an array of sixty-three electrodes 28, which may be made of 316 L stainless steel, silver or other materials. Electrodes 28 may be arranged in a 7�9 pattern, with the electrodes in each row and column being spaced 2.95 cm (1.162 inches) apart on center. A central column 29 of nine electrodes 28 is located in the middle of sensor pad to overlay the spine of the patient, and three equally spaced parallel columns of nine electrodes each are positioned on either side of the central column 29. Similarly, a central row 30 of seven electrodes 28 is positioned near the center of sensor pad 10, and four parallel rows of seven electrodes each are positioned on either side of central row 30. Ground electrode 31, may be a standard electrode preferably positioned on a wrist of the patient. Of course in other embodiments other configurations may be used.
In this described embodiment, all of the electrodes 28, may be identical and one configuration is shown in greater detail in
In this described embodiment, each electrode 28 is mounted in an aperture in sensor pad 101 and retained in position by a nut 170 threaded to shaft 34. Alternatively, electrode 28 may have an unthreaded shaft 34 and be retained in position by a push connector. A solderless ring connector 38 is also received on shaft 34 and is firmly secured by outer nut 39 to provide an electrical interconnection with the signal gathering surface of electrode 28. An electrode wire 40 is crimped to connector 38 and each of the electrode wires 40 is routed over the surface of sensor pad 10 to a pigtail at the upper end of sensor pad 10 which terminates at a connector 41. Each electrode wire 40 is preferably a 30 gauge, multi strand, flexible copper wire which allows for some deformation of sensor pad 10 to conform to the lower back of a patient, while connector 41 allows for releasable connection of the sensor pad to the electrical circuitry to facilitate substitution of components of the apparatus. With an electrode head 32 diameter and spacing, as mentioned in the described embodiment, the edge to edge spacing of electrodes 28 in each column 29 and row 30 is about 2.0 cm (0.79 inches). This has been determined to provide enough distance between electrodes 28 to result in a meaningful signal difference between electrodes. Electrode 28 may also be used in connection with the reusable or disposable self adhesive sensor pads which are later discussed in detail.
An alternative electrode 200 used in connection with embodiments of the EMG diagnostic system of are shown in
The head portion of the electrode 200 includes a base surface 206 and a plurality of conical projections 208 extending forward therefrom. The conical projections 208 in one exemplary embodiment are comprised of nested circular arrangements of six cones each. A first set 210 of six cones is spaced in close relation about a central projection 212. A second set 214 of six cones is spaced in outward nested relation relative to the first set 210. A third set 216 is disposed outwardly relative to the second set 214. Each of the cones in the third set 216 are spaced in nested relation between cones in the second set. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the cones are arranged concentrically about the central projection 212 as shown in
In one embodiment of the alternative electrode 200 the base surface is approximately 1.066 cm (0.420 inches) in diameter and the stem portion is approximately 0.318 cm (0.125 inches) in diameter. In this embodiment the first set of conical projections is spaced in a circle of about 0.391 cm (0.154 inches) in diameter. The second set of six cones is spaced on a circle about 0.678 cm (0.267 inches) in diameter and the third set of cones is spaced on a circle about 0.782 cm (0.308 inches) in diameter. Of course in other embodiments other configurations may be used.
The exemplary configuration of the conical projections provides for the projections to extend about 0.071 cm (0.028 inches) above the base surface. The incident angles of the walls bounding the cone extend at an angle C as shown in
In the exemplary form of alternative electrode 200 the electrode is comprised of an ABS carbon-composite resin material. The ABS resin is preferably provided with a coating of a suitable conductive material which in the exemplary form of the electrode is a silver/silver chloride material. The coating is preferably deposited on the ABS resin body by electroplating, vacuum metalization or similar processes. In alternative embodiments other approaches may be used.
A useful aspect of the described embodiment of the alternative electrode 200 is that the plated electrode contacts the patient's skin with a material that has a minimal electrolytic reaction with the skin of the patient. This minimizes the electrolytic currents which are produced as a result of contact and produces improved signals. In addition the arrangement of nested conical surfaces provides a relatively larger surface area for contact with the skin. The conical projections extend inward relative to the normal contour of the skin to provide signal acquisition from this area. This further enhances the ability of the electrode to acquire signals produced by the underlying anatomy. The structure of the exemplary form of the alternative electrode is also economical and may be produced using cost effective manufacturing processes. Further the exemplary form of the electrode provides an attractive and ornamental design.
The electronic circuitry comprising preamplifier 23 is located near sensor pad 101 for conditioning and amplifying the signals received at electrodes 28. Electrode wire 40 is connected to buffer amplifier 42, and the signal in turn is routed to low pass filter 43 and high pass filter 44 for each electrode 28 of sensor pad 10. Conditioning of the signals preferably occurs closely adjacent the patient and avoids remote transmission of very low level signals in a background of randomly generated noise signals. Buffer amplifier 42 minimizes leakage current through the electrode and errors due to electrode impedance changes. High pass filter 44 serves as an anti-aliasing filter, and low pass filter 43 prevents saturation of analog to digital (A/D) converter 24 by offset voltages, such filters being well understood in the art.
As shown in
Sensor pad 101 is applied to the back of a patient by orienting certain of the electrodes 28 to the skeletal structure of the patient. In one embodiment central electrode in the top row of electrode rows 30, i.e., electrode 46 is located over the spinous process of the tenth thoracic vertebrae 18. Two other landmarks are identified in a similar manner as the sensor pad 10 overlays the mid portion of the posterior superior iliac crest (PSIS). For example, the second and sixth electrodes 33, 37 respectively, in the center row of electrode rows 30 may be over the left PSIS and right PSIS. Alternatively, other landmarks may be used, such as an electrode overlying the fourth lumbar vertebrae, or other physiological reference point. This calibration information is then fed into the electronic apparatus 22 for appropriate adjustment of the voltage data received from electrodes 28 and subsequent visual display relative to predetermined displays of muscular anatomy appearing at display unit 26, in order to assure standardization of electrode placement.
In an alternative exemplary embodiment, an alternative protocol may be used for positioning and locating the electrode array. Such methods may be used in connection with sensor pad 10 as well as the reusable and self adhesive sensor pads later discussed.
Locating of the sensor pad begins with the patient in a neutral upright position. The patient's feet are preferably shoulder width apart, the head and face forward. The clinician positioning the electrode array may palpate both the left and right superior iliac crests to locate their position. Drawing an imaginary line directly between these two points, the clinician palpates the spinous process at this level which is L4 the fourth lumbar vertebrae. The clinician then marks the L4 spinous process with a water soluble marker. The electrode positioned in the middle column and seven rows from the top is then positioned directly over the L4 indicator. This electrode is marked 47 in
Continuing with the location and calibration process, once the L4 electrode has been positioned the clinician palpates the most inferior point of the inferior angles of both scapulae. The clinician then envisions an imaginary line between these two points and palpates the spinous process at this level. This is the seventh thoracic vertebrae T7. The clinician may then use calipers or other suitable measuring device for measuring from the T7 spinous process to electrode 47 at L4. This measurement may be recorded, or in some embodiments input to the computer through an input device for correlating the output to the dimensions of the patient's anatomy in a manner that is later discussed.
Continuing with the protocol, with the patient in the same position the clinician finds the left superior iliac crest at its most lateral point. Using calipers or other measuring device the clinician measures from the most lateral aspect of the left iliac crest to the electrode at L4. This measurement is also recorded or in some embodiments input to the computer through an input device.
In some embodiments, the computer 25 includes software which is operative to scale outputs displayed responsive to the configuration of the patient's anatomy. This is achieved because the dimensions of the patient are known as are the distances between the electrodes. In this manner the computer is enabled to calculate or otherwise determine how the anatomical features underlying the electrodes correspond to the electrode positions for the given dimensional configuration of the patient. This enables signals from electrodes to be more accurately correlated to underlying anatomical structures, such as muscles which are exhibiting spasmodic conditions.
Referring now as well to
The pad 52 may have three parts, namely parallel vertical sections 53 and a central stiffer section 54. Pad 52 is firm, yet flexible, and thicker in the central section 54 than in the outer sections 53 as described above. In this manner a better fit is made to accommodate the contour of the human back. Support belt 49 is preferably made of non-elastic nylon material as are straps 50 to achieve a secure and reliable connection to the patient 48.
A conductive gel may be applied to electrodes 28 (or alternative electrodes 200) to enhance conductivity of the interface between electrodes and patient 48, as is well known in the art. One suitable brand of water soluble gel is that manufactured by TECA, a subsidiary of Vickers Medical, Inc.
Alternative approaches to locating and securing the electrodes to a patient may be used. For example
As shown in
The disposable electrode array which includes sensor supporting sheet 220 is useful because it is sufficiently flexible to conform to the contours of a patient's anatomy. Further the adhesive material secures the electrode in contact with the patient's skin and generally prevents relative movement until the sensor array is ready to be removed. The disposable character of the sensor supporting sheet also reduces time associated with cleaning components between patients. The components of the system are preferably assembled in a manner that enables the wires and electrodes to be readily disconnected, cleaned and recycled into new sensor supporting sheets.
A further alternative configuration for an EMG sensor device is shown in
A double stick adhesive web or sheet 244 is positioned adjacent to pad 240. Adhesive sheet 244 includes apertures 246 that extend therethrough. The positions of apertures correspond to the positions of electrodes 242 such that the heads of the electrodes may extend therethrough. Adhesive sheet 244 includes adhesive on the side adjacent to the pad 240 which serves to adhere to the adhesive sheet thereto. However the nature of the adhesive and the sheet material is such that the adhesive sheet once adhered to the underlying pad may be removed therefrom without damaging the pad or the electrodes.
The adhesive sheet 244 further includes an adhesive material on the side opposite the pad 240. This adhesive material is suitable for adhering the sheet 244 and the attached pad 240 to the skin of the patient in a manner similar to the sensor supporting sheet 220. The adhesive sheet 244 preferably includes a reversable cover sheet or similar item attached to the patient side thereof to maintain the adhesive generally dirt free until the sheet is ready to be adhered to the back of the patient. When the pad 240 is ready to be brought into contact with the patient's back the sheet covering the adhesive on the patient's side of sheet 244 may be removed. The pad 240 may then be positioned and conformed to the contours of the patient and the signals from the electrodes may then be analyzed as later discussed. When the analysis and other activities are complete the pad 240 and sheet 244 may be removed from the patient's back.
A useful aspect of the structure shown in
When the electrode arrays shown in
A first pocket 258 and a second pocket 260 are supported on the belt portion 250. Each of the pockets preferably includes electrical connectors which provide an electrical connection with connectors from the electrode array such as connectors 236 and 238 shown in
It should be understood that the described form of the holster belt 248 is exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches to supporting the electrical connectors and signal conditioning components may be used. These may include for example supporting such components on other structures supported by the patient or on other types of support structures which are not supported by the patient.
A plurality of the electrodes 284 are printed on the substrate 282 in a predetermined pattern. In this described exemplary embodiment the electrodes 284 are printed in uniform array 314 of nine by seven electrodes. Each electrode is printed in the shape of a solid circle with a diameter of about 1.27 cm (0.5 inches). However, in other embodiments other sizes, shapes, and patterns of electrodes can be printed based on the desired sensitivity and intended use for the flexible electrode array. Other examples of possible electrode shapes include hexagons and stars.
At lease one trace is printed on the substrate 282 for every electrode. The traces are printed in a pattern such that the traces are in electrical connection with the electrodes. The traces then converge into two groupings 288 and 290 of parallel trace lines. In this described exemplary embodiment the substrate is cut to include two long tails 292 and 294. The groupings of parallel traces 288 and 290 are printed along the tails 292 and 294 and terminate at connection ends 296 and 298. The connection ends are printed in a pattern that is operative to mate with an external electrical connector such as the Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) connector discussed later in detail. For this described exemplary embodiment the center electrode 316 is used as a reference electrode and may be connected to one or more additional trace lines.
When in use with the computerized EMG diagnostic system, the mid section 300 of the flexible electrode array is placed against the back of a patient. The tails 292 and 294 have sufficient length and flexibility to wrap around the torso of the patient and to connect to additional conditioning circuitry such as buffer/amplifiers. The additional circuitry may be located in the pouch of a holster belt as discussed previously or may be connected to a belt with a clip or other attachment device such as snaps or velcro.
In this described exemplary embodiment, traces 310 are silk screen printed on the substrate 306 with a silver epoxy ink 310. As shown in the cross-sectional bottom view of
In addition, the more narrower trace line portions 309 of the traces 310 are insulated by printing additional layers of a non conductive ink 312 over the trace lines 309. In this described exemplary embodiment each conductive trace line is about 0.05 cm (0.02 inches) in width. The insulating ink line is centered over each conductive trace line and has a width of about 0.2 cm (0.08 inches). In alternative embodiments trace lines 309 may have variable widths so that the impedance of each trace is the same, even though the trace lines have different lengths.
Although in this described embodiment the electrodes and traces are silk screened on a substrate, in alternative embodiments, the flexible electrode array can be produced by any process that is operative to deposit or print a specifically defined pattern of conductive materials on a flexible sheet. Examples of such other processes includes flexographic printing with conductive inks. In other embodiments subtractive methods can be used such as chemical etching of aluminum or copper on clear polyester.
In addition, rather than insulating trace lines with non conductive inks, other embodiments may include a non conductive overlay sheet for insulating the printed trace lines. Such an overlay would leave the electrodes and connector ends exposed by including a plurality of apertures in the overlay which coincide with the printed electrodes and connector ends.
One advantage of printing both the electrode and the traces on a clear flexible plastic substrate such as polyester sheet is the reduction in the cost associated with manufacturing the flexible electrode array. The lower cost enables the flexible electrode array to become a disposable part in the computerized EMG diagnostic system; thus, eliminating the need to clean electrodes between uses of the system. In addition, using a transparent substrate such as a polyester sheet, aids in the accurate positioning of the electrodes by allowing a clinician to see the underlying anatomy of the patient through the flexible electrode array. Thus, after a clinician has marked the locations of vertebra on a patients back, the clinician can precisely position the center column of the printed electrodes over these markings.
Another advantage of using a polyester substrate such as Mylar�, is that polyester film is a material that is both tear resistant and sufficiently flexible to conform to the general shape of a patient's back. Further, the embodiments described herein achieve increased flexibility and extensibility in the design of the flexible electrode array by including a plurality of strategic slits in the substrate to make the flexible electrode array extensible (stretchy) in between electrodes. This enables the flexible electrode array to stretch or compress in three directions (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal).
These perforations 324 also extend along each trace 326 adjacent an electrode 322 to form a stem portion 323 of the substrate that supports each trace. These perforations enable each printed electrode 322 and the electrode supporting portion of the substrate 325 to move in a plurality of directions with respect to the rest of the substrate 340, while remaining in electrical communication with the remainder of the electrode array. For example
When the entire flexible electrode array is placed on a patient's back, each electrode adheres to the skin of the patient's back. As the patient moves into different positions, the printed electrodes are operative to move with respect to each other in response to the patient's back muscles stretching or contracting.
Referring back to
As shown in
As shown in
This described embodiment of the flexible electrode array also encompasses a release sheet adhesively attached to the substrate on the side opposite the previously described cover sheet 301. As shown in
For this described exemplary embodiment the flexible electrode 348 array is sandwiched between the cover sheet and the release sheet 350. This configuration helps protect the flexible electrode array during shipment. When a clinician applies the flexible electrode array to a patient, the cover is first removed; however, the release sheet is left on the flexible electrode array. As the clinician aligns the flexible electrode array 348 on the patient's back, the release sheet 350 prevents the electrode supporting portions 325 from moving relative to the substrate 340. Once the flexible electrode array is positioned correctly on the patient, the release sheet is removed.
In addition to applications for diagnosing back muscle problems, This described exemplary embodiment of the flexible electrode array can also be used in other types of diagnostic applications such as around body joints, the neck, a hand or foot, or any other area of the body that is operative to bend or flex or is curved. In such cases the pattern and sizes of electrodes can be printed on the flexible supporting sheet to suit the particular application. For instance, when diagnosing problems with a hand such a carpel tunnel, the supporting sheet could be cut in the shape of a hand. Individual electrodes may then be printed along portions of the supporting sheet to correspond with fingers, the back of the hand, and the wrist. For other body parts, other shapes and patterns of electrodes can be used.
The exemplary embodiment of the flexible array as shown in
To help protect the exposed connection points 299 from damage during shipment and storage and from accidental contact with a ground or voltage source, the connection ends 296 and 298 include tail flaps 360 and 362. As shown with reference to tail flap 362, only an end portion 366 of the tail flap 362 is attached to the connection end 298. The tail flap 362 is comprised of a flexible material that enables the portions of the tail flap 362 above the connection points to be lifted away from connection points 299. In this described embodiment the tail flap 362 includes tabs 370, and 372 which assist in lifting the tail flap by hand or by an electrical connector when the connection end is inserted into an electrical connector.
An exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector 400 is schematically shown in
The head member 408 is operative to move between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the head member 408 is operative to clamp the connection end 406 between the first and second surfaces 404 and 410. When the head member 408 is in the open position, a throat area 407 is formed between the first and second surfaces 404 and 410 with sufficient space to enable the connection end 406 to freely move in and out of the throat area 407.
The connector further includes head guide 419 with a head bore 421 therethrough. The head member 408 includes a follower member 420 that extends in a direction opposite of the second surface 410 and through the bore 421. The follower member 420 is operative to slide back and forth within the head bore.
In the exemplary embodiment, the head member is biased toward the closed position with a spring 422 located between the head guide 419 and the head member 408. However, in alternative embodiments the head member may be biased in the open position.
As shown in
As shown in
Although the exemplary embodiment has electrical contacts located on the head member 408, in alternative exemplary embodiments, the electrical contacts 409 may be located on the base member 402 or located on both the head and base members 402 and 408.
In the exemplary embodiment of the connector the first surface 404 of the base member 402 includes a layer of foam 418. When the connection end 406 is locked between the head and base members 402 and 408, the foam 418 is operative to direct the clamping force of the connector evenly across the back of the connection end to achieve good electrical connections between each of the electrical contacts 409 and the traces 416.
To further aid the alignment of the traces 416 with the electrical contacts 409, the connector includes one or more guide pins 424 as shown in
As shown in
For the exemplary embodiment, both the buffer/amplifier 430 and the connector 400 are located in a common housing 432. Each of the electrical contacts in the connector are in electrical connection with the buffer/amplifier 430 through a cable 431. The housing includes a slot 434 that enables the connection end 436 of a flexible electrode array to pass through the housing and slide adjacent the base member 444 of the connector 400.
In this described embodiment the shaft member 438 of the connector includes a lever 440 that extends outside of the housing. The lever 440 is operative to rotate the shaft member 438 backward and forward, which in turn moves the head member between the open and closed positions. As shown in
The EMG diagnostic system will now be further described with reference to use of the sensor pad 10 and electrode 28. It should be understood that except as otherwise specified other EMG sensor devices may be used in a comparable manner to that discussed herein.
Once sensor pad 10 has been located in position on a patient 48 and secured by support belt 49 and electrical interconnection made with electronic apparatus 22, the patient can be moved about and put through a series of different positions in order to develop a series of signal groups indicative of the underlying musculature. Typically, these positions are neutral, flexion, extension, left flexion, right flexion, left rotation, right rotation, sit, supine and prone, although various modifiers or alternatives may be added to or deleted from these positions. In each of the positions a scan of the electrodes 28 is made, each scan requiring only 1-10 seconds, and the signal information retained for later utilization in electronic apparatus 22.
Electrical signals from electrodes 28 are connected by way of wires 40, buffer amplifier 42, filters 43, 44 and cable 45 to analog to digital (A/D) converter 24 and then to computer 25 for analysis and conversion. The data from sensor pad 10 is collected in pseudo differential fashion, each electrode 28 being sampled relative to reference electrode 61 located in the center of pad 10. Subtraction of electrical data yields the wave form between the two electrodes of interest and the wave form is subjected to a root mean square (RMS) analysis over a predetermined time interval to yield a discrete number indicative of the signal strength. In one example of utilization of the signals, the RMS number is converted to a representative color indicia and that color indicia is displayed on the screen of display unit 26 in a location representative of the particular two electrodes 28 of interest. This data is preferably scaled or otherwise conformed to correspond to the anatomy of the patient as previously discussed using suitable scaling software in the computer.
This technique of measurement may best be seen in the
A full pattern display is shown in
In a scan of the complete array of electrodes, 206 color or grayscale light bars are produced on display unit 26 in positions delimited by and corresponding to the positions of the electrodes 28 on sensor pad 10. Also superimposed on display unit 26 is a graphical depiction of the musculature of the lower back of patient 48 with correlation between the two being achieved by the registration process previously described where a sensor pad is located relative to the tenth thoracic vertebrae 18 and the PSIS identifying crests 12, 14 or the L4 vertebrae, and using appropriate scaling.
In an exemplary embodiment, the diagrams of the musculature of
Referring now to
It is apparent that still further comparisons can be made of the signals obtained from electrodes 28, for example to compare the signal of each electrode 28 with the signals of all adjacent electrodes 28, and electronically summarize the information obtained and to produce a representative color or grayscale pattern of the results for visualization at the face of display unit 26.
Similarly, it is apparent that the resultant electrical signals from electrodes 28 and the resultant color or grayscale information can be shown at display unit 26 in different formats to emphasize the relationship between developed signals and the underlying muscle structure. With a suitably high speed computer 25, the images of differing muscle structures can be shown in association with the color or grayscale patterns as directed by the physician to provide a correlation between the patterns and the abnormal muscle elements.
It will further be understood that in various embodiments different forms of the display may be used including arrangements of various types of pixels or other types of icons or designators which are indicative of levels of muscle activity. While coloration may be used as an exemplary indicator in the diagnostic tool for purposes of correlating muscle activity and underlying anatomy, as discussed previously, other visual outputs such as grayscale images may be provided which do not involve coloration for clinicians who suffer from color blindness. Such outputs may involve varying patterns of a monochrome nature which are indicative of levels of muscle activity. Alternatively embodiments may include other types of output devices which enable the discrimination of levels of muscle activities. Such output devices may also output indicia representative of the underlying muscle topography. This may include for example output devices usable by the visually impaired such as pin array type output devices in which arrays of pins are movable relative to one another to produce surface contours. Such arrays may be produced with sufficient numbers of pins and pin densities to provide contours indicative of underlying musculature as well as electrical activity. Such devices may be multiplexed between received signals and data representative of underlying musculature to facilitate comparison through touch of muscle contour and areas of muscle activity. Such output devices may be combined with visual and other type devices to facilitate diagnosis of conditions even by clinicians who do not have a visual impairment.
Referring now to
A long shielded interconnect cable 104 connects the outputs of buffer amplifier 42 to more remotely located Filter/Buffer module 105 which includes low and high pass filters 43, 44. In turn, a short shield cable 45 completes the analog signal portion, being connected to analog to digital converter card 24 in computer 25, the latter components being essential parts of the signal processing subsystem 102. As indicated, a single continuous shield path, depicted by dashed lines 107, is established between Buffer/Amplifier module 42 and computer 25, assuring that minimal interference is generated in the signals of interest from extraneous sources.
The enclosures used for the Filter/Buffer module 105 and the Buffer/Amplifier module 42 are shielded with a layer of conductive material. All enclosure shields are connected in series with the interconnect cable shields, resulting in a single continuous shield path from the Buffer/Amplifier input connector to the data acquisition computer 25 chassis ground.
The array of electrodes 28 mounted on sensor pad 10, as previously described, must conform to the human back, ensure consistent electrode impedance with the skin, not interfere substantially with patient movement, and be easy to use. The electrodes 28 in this described exemplary embodiment are in a nine row by seven column configuration and the sensor pad 10 is held in place with a fabric brace with or without pressure sensitive adhesive. Of course other configurations of electrodes may be used in other embodiments. Likewise the disposable type and reusable adhesive type sensor arrays discussed previously may be used.
The analog signal conditioning subsystem 101 provides buffering, voltage amplification and analog filtering for the array of electrodes 28. In one embodiment one electrode in the array is designated as the reference electrode 61, and all other electrode voltages are measured with respect to the reference electrode 61. Other embodiments may employ other approaches for acquiring signals indicative of relative levels of electrical activity.
Each of the electrode 28 signals is connected by way of wires 40 to high impedance, unity gain buffer amplifiers 108 by way of a 10K Ohm series resistor 109. The purpose of resistor 109 is to provide a measure of resistive isolation for safety purposes, as well as to increase the electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity of the amplifier.
Following the buffer amplifiers 108, each channel has a dedicated high gain instrumentation amplifier 110. The inverting input of each instrumentation amplifier 110 is connected to the buffered signal from the reference electrode channel as shown by connector 111. Thus, the output of each instrumentation amplifier 110 represents the voltage of a given electrode with respect to the reference electrode 61. RC networks 112 connected to the inputs of the instrumentation amplifier 110 serve as low pass filters to block unwanted high frequency signals. The outputs of the instrumentation amplifiers 110 feed into unity-gain, line-driver circuits 114 that are capable of driving the capacitive load of the long shielded interconnect cable 104, without oscillation.
The ground electrode 31 is connected to the patient and is connected to ground through a resistor. In one exemplary embodiment electrode 31 is connected to the analog signal ground on the digital converter card through a one million Ohm resistance. The exemplary form of the analog to digital converter card 24, is a sixty-four channel multiplexed converter capable of operating in pseudo-differential input mode. The Buffer/Amplifier module 42 and Filter/Buffer module 105 are each connected to ground as represented by line 106.
Each of the sixty-three signal inputs into Filter/Buffer 105, via cable 104, is connected to a second order active low pass filter 43. The output of low pass filter 43 is connected to the input of first order, high pass filter 44. The output of each high pass filter 44 is connected to unity gain buffer 115 that is capable of driving the capacitive load of the analog to digital converter card 24 interconnect cable 45, without oscillation. Electronic power for Filter/Buffer module 105 is provided by an external linear power supply. Filter/Buffer module 105 provides power for Buffer/Amplifier module 42 via the interconnect cable 104. Ground sense line 106 from the Buffer/Amplifier modules 42 passes directly through the Filter/Buffer module 105.
Signal processing subsystem 102 is shown in block diagram form in
The digital signal conditioning system consists of high pass, low pass and band-cut digital filters incorporated into the data analysis software. The high and low pass filters are designed to reject signals outside of the frequency range of interest, and have amplitude rolloffs of 80 dB/decade. The primary purpose of these digital filters is to block common-mode error signals introduced near the corner frequencies of the analog filters. The band-cut or notch filter drastically reduces 60 Hz signals, in order to eliminate unwanted pickup of power line emissions. In an exemplary embodiment, oversampling is used which interpolates additional pseudo sample points between actual sample points to improve performance of filters, for example to achieve good frequency discrimination in the 60 Hz notch filter. In one exemplary embodiment 10� oversampling is used.
The output of the electrode voltage data acquisition subsystem consists of a set of voltage waveforms of each electrode 28 with respect to a particular reference electrode. The voltage differencer 121 computes the voltage waveform between each pair of adjacent electrodes (vertically, horizontally and diagonally) by differencing the voltage waveforms for the two adjacent electrodes. RMS calculator 122 provides the RMS value of each adjacent electrode pair waveform as a scalar number which is computed from the waveform using a conventional RMS calculation.
The user display subsystem 26 presents the processed data to the practitioner in a readily understandable format. In the described embodiment the data is displayed as images on a screen or other visual output device. Of course as discussed previously, in other embodiments other output devices may be used. A digitized illustration of a muscle layer in the human back as shown in
The electrode data image 125 in the described embodiment consists of colored or grayscale lines or light bars 63 drawn between the locations of each of adjacent electrodes 28, which are at each intersection 128 of each of the seven vertical columns and nine horizontal rows of light bars 63 as shown in
The software architecture of the signal processing system 102 is shown schematically in
The format of header 135 for each of the files, 130, 132, 134 is depicted in
The A2D files 130 contain the actual analog to digital values at the output of analog to digital converter 24 which are collected during a test. Computer 25 scans all electrode channels rapidly enough to reconstruct the analog signal at all frequencies of interest. In one embodiment the minimum frequency of interest is about 30 Hz and the maximum about 150 Hz. The structure of the A2D files 130 is shown in
The voltage files 132 contain the voltage data from a test, after it has been converted from analog to digital values to voltages and signal conditioning filters have been applied. The voltage files 132 of this embodiment also contain the header 135 followed by the voltage values in the format shown in
The RMS files 134 contain the RMS values of the differences between the voltage waveforms of adjacent electrodes 28. During display of an RMS file 134, the values can be mapped to colors or grayscale and displayed as colored or grayscale line segments or bars 63 at display unit 26.
Again, the RMS files 134 may contain header 135 followed by the RMS information. The RMS voltage difference is calculated for each pair of adjacent electrodes 28. The row and column position of each of the two electrodes are also stored in the format described in
Summarizing then, the flow of data as depicted in
The general architecture for the software operated in computer 25 can be seen from the source file 160 structure depicted in
An embodiment of the previously discussed diagnostic system has been used to study the EMG data produced by the system for test subjects with no known back conditions to develop data associated with a normal back condition.
In this study, the above described flexible electrode array shown in
Although only 63 electrodes are in the array, bipolar information from 206 electrode pair combinations was obtained. The electromyographic activity between adjacent electrodes was collected by the system over one second and was converted to its RMS voltage. The RMS values were displayed by the system as proportionately colored bars. Using a 264-color spectrum, the highest RMS value was displayed in red, the lowest in blue. Remaining spectral colors were interposed. The resulting display represented the calculated myoelectric activity of the low back, with the highest RMS values (red) representing the region of greatest muscular activity.
In one study volunteers were selected who did not have a history of diabetes, thyroid disorders, or serious back injury (tumor, infections, trauma, herniated disc, or surgery to the spine) and who did not report experiencing any low back pain in the past 12 months.
A test subject was put through a standardized protocol that included monitoring the back with the test subject in three different positions of "upright", "flexion", and "weighted". For the upright position, each test subject stood at ease, feet shoulder-width apart, with arms at the sides. For the flexion position, each test subject stood as before with the anterior trunk bent forward at 20 degrees from vertical. For the weighted position, each test subject stood holding a three-pound dumbbells in each hand, directly in front of the body, at shoulder height with the elbows extended.
Images were obtained from each position three times for each patient. Each image contained 206 RMS values. The maximum RMS value in each image was selected. The average of this RMS value was calculated and recorded for each of the three positions. Age, sex, height, and weight were recorded for each test subject. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in centimeters squared. BMI was analyzed as a continuous variable and assigned to one of three categories: up to 23, 23-27, and 27 and above. Pearson's correlation analysis, univariate regression, and model building multivariable regression method were applied to determine significance related to RMS values in each of the three test positions.
It was determined that RMS values were reduced proportional to body mass index (BMI) for both sexes in each test possibly because the myoelectric signals attenuated through adipose tissue. Also only BMI and gender were statistically significant independent predictors of RMS values in the upright| and flexion positions. BMI was a significant independent predictor of RMS values in the weighted position. As a result BMI was used to determine normal reference ranges from this data. Also sex was incorporated into the normal ranges determined for this data for the upright and flexion positions, but not in the weighted position.
Also, from this study it was determined that 73% of the test subjects (136 out of 186) demonstrated symmetrical myoelectric activity that originated at a single central focus centered on the spine.
Further studies have been performed using the same diagnostic system and protocol described above in example 2. These further studies have involved test subjects with known back conditions such as a facet condition and a disc condition. From the data generated by these studies, sets of predetermined EMG characteristics have been identified which correspond to these known back conditions. Such predetermined EMG characteristics correspond to different sets of features of EMG data which are usable to distinguish one back condition from another.
An exemplary embodiment of a method for using an EMG diagnostic system to distinguish between normal back conditions and one or more pain causing back conditions has been developed which uses this predetermined EMG characteristic data. In this embodiment, the method comprises acquiring data representative of EMG signals from a detection area on a back of a patient using a sensor device such as those described previously or any other device capable of acquiring EMG signals from a back of a patient. The method further includes evaluating the data acquired from the sensor device to determine EMG characteristics for the patient and determining whether predetermined EMG characteristics associated with at least one of a facet condition (e.g facet joint syndrome) and a disc condition (e.g. discongenic low back pain) and a muscle condition correspond to the EMG characteristics determined for the patient. Such EMG characteristics for a patient are also referred to herein as EMG data for the patient.
The chart includes for each condition, characterization data (e.g. distinguishing features of EMG data) for each of a plurality of categories or types of EMG characteristics. These categories are shown in columns in the chart 500 and include an RMS category 504, a sequence category 506, a pattern category 508, a balance category 510, and a coefficient of variation category 512.
The RMS category 504 corresponds to how the maximum RMS voltage acquired from the sensor device for each of the three positions of the patient corresponds to the maximum RMS voltage for a normal back condition for each position. For purposes of making this determination, normal reference ranges for maximum RMS voltage values corresponding to each position for patients with normal back conditions and with a corresponding gender and/or body mass index (or a percent ideal body weight) may be determined from normal range data such as that shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include software that is operative to calculate the maximum RMS voltage for the three positions. The software may also be operative to compare the calculated RMS voltages to data representative of predicted normal RMS voltages for similar patients. For example, the system may include a data store comprised of data (such as the data shown in
This determination of normal, above normal, or below normal maximum RMS values may then be manually used to lookup one or more matching back conditions from the table such as shown in
As shown in
With respect to the table shown in
As shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include software that is operative to automatically determine and output a determined characterization for the sequence of positions in order of low to high maximum RMS voltage. This output may then be manually used to lookup one or more matching back conditions from the table such as shown in
However, it is to be understood that in alternative exemplary embodiments, the software may be operative to correlate the determined characterization for the sequence of positions for a measurement to corresponding predetermined characterization data stored in the data store for different back conditions to further the identification by the software of a back condition diagnosis for the patient.
With respect to the table shown in
However, it is to be understood that in alternative exemplary embodiments, software operating in a computer of the system may use statistical analysis, image processing, expert systems, neural networks, pattern matching, and any other computer processing technique to determine and correlate pattern characterizations for the relative locations and levels of muscle activity acquired from the sensor device. Such determined pattern characterizations can be displayed to a user for use with manually identifying a back condition diagnosis from a table such as shown in
In addition, as discussed previously, differences in patient BMI can influence the magnitude of the maximum RMS voltages determined by the array. Also, the range of RMS voltages produced by an array will vary widely depending on the positions of the patient, as well as the different types of back conditions. Thus the graphical representations (colors, levels of intensity) produced from the maximum RMS voltages for different patients may vary significantly.
To compensate for the differences in the RMS voltage values determined for different types of patients, back conditions, and positions of the patient, an exemplary embodiment of the system may include an input device and/or a software user interface control which allows the technician performing the measurements to adjust how the system correlates RMS voltage values to the different colors and/or grayscale levels of intensity displayed for the graphical representation of the maximum RMS voltages.
For example, the technician may use the input device and/or user interface control of a computer of the system to input an adjustment value. In one exemplary embodiment, the adjustment value may correspond to an offset value or multiplication factor which increases or decreases the ranges of RMS voltage values which are mapped to particular colors and or grayscale levels of intensity.
In another exemplary embodiment, the adjustment value may correspond to a value which is used by the software to visually enhance (through color and/or contrast) relatively higher levels of muscle activity and visually de-emphasize relatively lower levels of muscle activity. In such an embodiment, RMS voltage values below the adjustment value may be displayed with the color or grayscale intensity level corresponding to low levels of muscle activity. Also, RMS voltage values above the adjustment value may be mapped to colors or grayscale intensity levels which span the entire set of colors or grayscale intensity levels corresponding to relatively higher levels of muscle activity. For example, the software may be responsive to an adjustment value of 20 to map all RMS voltage values below 20 to display as blue in a color image, or as white in a grayscale image. The software may also map RMS voltage values at or above the adjustment value of 20 to correspond to displayed colors ranging from green to red for a color image, or displayed levels of intensity ranging from light gray to black for a grayscale image.
In alternative exemplary embodiments, rather than or in addition to an input device or user interface control which inputs an adjustment value used to alter the display of the RMS voltages, the system may include an electrical circuit which amplifies or attenuates the signals generated by the sensor device or another component in the diagnostic system.
As shown in
A normal back condition may be identified when an image of the relative levels of muscle activity in a back for each of the positions of the patient shows a pattern characteristic of "uniform", "central", "symmetrical" and "organized".
Here the uniform pattern characteristic corresponds to the characteristic in which the spatial patterns across the detection area representative of elevated muscle activity are substantially the same for each position of the patient. The central pattern characteristic corresponds to the presence of grouping of electrode pairs showing an elevated level of muscle activity that is substantially: located in the center of the spine; surrounding the L3,4,5 vertebrae; and balanced on each side (left and right) of the spine. The "symmetry" pattern characteristic corresponds to muscle activity on the left side of the spine that is substantially the mirror image of muscle activity on the right side of the spine. The organized pattern characteristic may correspond to the groupings of elevated muscle activity having a generally central peak that is surrounded by gradually and relatively lower but still elevated levels of muscle activity.
A facet condition may be identified as a possible back condition when an image of the relative levels of muscle activity in a back for one or more of the positions shows a pattern characteristic of uniform, "unilateral shift" and organized.
Here the uniform and organized pattern characteristics correspond to those previously described for the normal back condition. The unilateral shift pattern characteristic corresponds to a grouping which has a peak of muscle activity that is laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column. The presence of a unilateral shift pattern can be used in the exemplary embodiment to distinguish a normal back condition from a facet condition.
A disc condition may be identified as a possible back condition when an image of the relative levels of muscle activity in a back for one or more of the positions shows pattern characteristics of uniform, "variable symmetry", "2D or multi-focal", and "accommodation".
Here the uniform, central and symmetry characterization patterns correspond to those described previously for normal or facet conditions. For a disc condition, "variable symmetry" indicates that the images are generally symmetrical with corresponding groupings on each side of the spine that may have different levels of peak activity. The "2D or Multi-focal" characteristic corresponds to the presence of multiple and separated groupings of electrode pairs showing elevated levels of muscle activity which are located about the spine. The "accommodation" characteristic corresponds to the multiple groupings having an arrangement which suggests that secondary muscle groups may be doing the job of primary muscle groups. In exemplary embodiments, the variable symmetry, 2D or multi-focal, and accommodation pattern characteristics can be used to distinguish a disc condition from a normal, facet, muscle, or other condition.
A muscle condition may be identified as a possible condition when an image of the relative levels of muscle activity in the back for one or more of the positions shows pattern characteristics of "variable uniformity", "unilateral", "asymmetrical", and organized.
The variable uniformity pattern characteristic corresponds to some positions showing the same pattern (e.g. upright and flexion), but the other position shows increased variability in the pattern (e.g. weighted position). The unilateral pattern characteristic corresponds to one or more groupings of elevated muscle activity which are substantially not located on the longitudinal axis of the vertebral column, but are shifted to one side or the other with respect to the vertebral column. The asymmetrical pattern characteristic corresponds to muscle activity on one side of the spine which is not substantially the mirror image of muscle activity on the right side.
Please note that the original images used to produce
A chronic exacerbation condition may have pattern characteristics corresponding to one or more of the previously described muscle, facet, or disc conditions. The etiology and history of the patient's pain and the possible causes of the pain such as bending, lifting, twisting, or nothing may be used to assist in identifying a precipitating event.
In addition to data representative of the maximum RMS voltage characterization (in the RMS column 504), the determined sequence of positions (in the sequence column 506), and the pattern characteristics (in the pattern column 508) described previously, the table shown in
In exemplary embodiments, whether the EMG signals are or are not characterized as balanced may be determined by comparing the RMS voltage for an electrode pair on one side of the image with respect to the vertebral column to the RMS voltage for an electrode pair at the corresponding position on the opposite side of the image with respect to the vertebral column. In an embodiment, corresponding electrode pairs on each side of the image are balanced if their respective RMS voltages are within 20%. If predetermined number of electrode pairs are not balanced, the image for the position may be identified as being unbalanced. In general the normal and facet conditions typically produce balanced images, while the disc and muscle conditions typically produce unbalanced images.
In exemplary embodiments, the coefficient of variation characterization data corresponds to the level of variation between multiple scans for a common position. In an embodiment, variation less than 10 percent may be characterized as normal. For example, for a flexion position, three measurements (or scans) may be taken which produce maximum RMS voltages of 45, 47, 43 respectively with a mean of 45. The variation of the first and third measurements is only 2 away from the mean, and therefore is less than ten percent of the mean. Thus the measurements for the flexion position would be characterized as having a normal coefficient of variation. As shown in
It is to be understood that whether through a manual correlation using a table such as shown in
In some cases, not all of the EMG characterization data determined for a measurement will point to the same back condition diagnosis. Thus in a further exemplary embodiment, the categories may be ranked in terms of statistical accuracy with identifying the correct back condition. Such ranking data may be included in with a table such as shown in
It is to be noted that a patient may have more than one type of back condition, thus conflicting characterizations for different categorizes (e.g. RMS, sequence, pattern, etc.) or for different positions (e.g. upright, flexion, weighted) may be used to correlate more than one type of back condition with a patient.
Although certain embodiments have been disclosed and specifically described herein, these embodiments are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to limit the present invention. Upon review of this specification, certain improvements, modifications, adaptations and variations upon the methods and apparatus disclosed which do not depart from the spirit of the present invention will immediately become apparent. Accordingly, reference should be had to the appended claims in order to ascertain the true scope of the present invention.
For example, the apparatus might be applied to areas of human anatomy other than the lower back musculature, most obviously to mid-back, upper back or neck areas. Still further, it would be feasible to apply the teachings of exemplary embodiments to the extremities of the human patient or even to areas of the head. Exemplary embodiments may also be applied to the analysis of signals from other types of sensors and the techniques described herein used in the diagnosis and treatment of other conditions. While the exemplary form is used in the diagnosis of conditions in human beings, the techniques and apparatus of exemplary embodiments may also find applicability in diagnostic and treatment activities related to patients which comprise other living organisms.
In addition, the teachings described herein may also be used for detecting the position and intensity of other electrical signals within areas of the anatomy of a living body. Various organs and systems are known to produce such electrical signals. The analysis of such signals and their correlation may provide useful information for diagnosis and treatment.
In addition, systems of the exemplary embodiments may be modified to provide therapeutic benefit as well as to serve a diagnostic function. For example electrode arrays may be used to provide electrical stimulus selectively in areas corresponding to the electrodes. Such electrical stimulus may be used to treat muscle or other disorders. By way of example an electrode array may be used to determine the identities of muscles which are the source of a spasmodic or pain condition in the manner previously discussed. Once such muscles have been identified appropriate electrical circuitry may be provided to deliver electrical stimulation selectively so as to treat the underlying muscular structures. Alternative approaches and techniques may be used based on the nature of the underlying conditions being detected and the appropriate method of treatment.
The previous described embodiments of the diagnostic system have used a sensor device corresponding to an EMG electrode array that is applied adjacent of the skin surface of the patient. However, it is to be understood that in alternative embodiments of the described methods for diagnosing back conditions or other conditions responsive to electrical signals acquired from the body of a patient, other types of sensor devices may be used such as the invasive sensors used with electromyography and fine-wire electromyography.
Computer software instructions used in operating the EMG diagnostic system and method and associated computers may be loaded from computer readable media or articles of various types into the respective computers. Such computer software may be included on and loaded from one or more articles such as diskettes, compact disks (CDs) and DVDs. Such software may also be included on articles such as hard disk drives, tapes, flash memory devices, or ready only memory devices. Other articles which include data representative of the instructions for operating computers in the manner described herein are suitable for use in achieving operation of the EMG diagnostic system in accordance with embodiments described herein
The embodiments of the EMG diagnostic system described herein have been described with reference to particular software components and features. Other embodiments may include other or different software components which provide similar functionality.
Thus the method and apparatus of one or more of the embodiments described herein achieve one or more of the above stated objectives, eliminates difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, solves problems and attains the desirable results described herein.
In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. However no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is not limited to the details shown and described.
In the following claims any feature that is described as a means for performing a function shall be construed as encompassing any means capable of performing the recited function and shall not be limited to the particular means shown in the foregoing description or mere equivalents. The description of the exemplary embodiment included in the Abstract included herewith shall not be deemed to limit the invention to features described therein.
Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated and the advantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.
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Bonita Springs, FL (PressExposure) September 29, 2009 -- CSI provides its clients with the industry's leading online management tools, regardless of a company's desired credit option. The CSI MasterCard® Corporate Multi-Card simplifies and improves the corporate purchasing function by offering businesses needed cost-savings, controls and efficiencies.
"In today's difficult economic time, new businesses are finding it harder to become approved for a line of credit," said Keith Stone, CSI President. "CSI offers these businesses the opportunity to begin developing credit while receiving all the same benefits of a credit account. CSI understands the struggle for new businesses and the CSI MasterCard® Corporate Multi-Card is here to help."
Multiple funding options are included for the CSI MasterCard® Corporate Multi-Card accounts. The first option allows businesses to easily pre-fund a card through a business initiated ACH bank payment or wire transfer. The second option is a deposit account. With this option, applicants simply submit a deposit to secure their account and establish an initial credit line. The business is invoiced and makes payments just as it would on a normal credit account.
"We have designed this program to be as easy as possible for businesses to fund," said David Disque, CSI Director of Operations. "Clients may increase or decrease a deposit as needed and funds are simply submitted by wire transfer or ACH payment." Regardless of your company's credit needs, CSI Enterprises has the solution for you.
MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.
The CSI MasterCard Corporate Multi-Card is issued by Regions Bank pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated.


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Plane Finder HDFree
The original and most highly rated plane tracking app, ranked number one in the Navigation category in over 30 countries.Our Plane Finder apps have been featured on Gizmodo, CNN, GMA, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, CNET, GQ Magazine and many more.Dont
Downloads: 6+ (for Android)Report app for spam or abuse!
Recommended apps
Super File Manager freemium Free
Free, Safe, Small, Simple. One of the best File Manager apps on GetJar.
Hublaagram: Autoliker and Followers Free
Hublaagram is an Instagram tools that help you to get likes, followers, and comment for FREE.


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Community images
Audio Home System - 100, 360 Watts - Channels: 2 (Stereo), 5 + Subwoofer (5.1), 4 + Subwoofer (4.1) - CD Player - No
published 03/05/2004
ProPowerful & Good Quality Sound at 360 Watts RMS, Pe...
ConsCosts £430, Honks at high volumes
published 25/06/2007
ProExcellent quality throughout
ConsNo digital input
published 13/08/2007
ProMany features to enhance sound. Performs well and ...
ConsPerhaps a bit dated these days.
published 12/07/2006
ProExcellent System, more features than you will ever...
ConsNo microphone sockets.
published 02/07/2005
ProCRACKING SOUND QUALITY, LOADS OF FEATURES
ConsSOME COMPONENTS FEEL A BIT CHEAP, SPEAKER CABLES A...
published 28/12/2005
ProLooks Fancy, Great Sound, Home Cinema in a Space S...
ConsNo Dedicated Subwoofer, Cannot expand system with ...
published 26/03/2006
ProBrilliant sound quality
ConsA lot of trust in electronics
published 05/07/2005
ProExcellent sound quality and adjustable graphic equ...
ConsCD/DVD changer is slow to function and the hand co...
published 05/10/2004
ProPlays DVD-RAM, 5.1 output
published 26/11/2007
ProQuality of Sound Equlizer and 5CD Changer
ConsNone from what i can find.
published 06/07/2006
ProIts amazing for the price
ConsIts CD/DVD lens is not as durable
published 07/09/2008
published 13/04/2015
published 27/07/2011
Manufacturer: Technics, Panasonic
MP3 Playback: with MP3 Playback
Super Audio CD Playback: without Super Audio CD Playback
CD Player / Recorder: CD Player
RMS Wattage: 100, 360
Width in mm: 293, 294
Dolby / DTS: with Dolby Digital + DTS
PMP Docking: No
DVD Audio Playback: Yes, No
DivX Playback: No
Super Video CD / Video CD Playback: No, Yes
Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB): without Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB)
Wireless Speakers: Wired Speakers
RDS/EON: with RDS/EON
DVD-R Recording: No
DVD+R Recording: No
DVD-RW Recording: No
DVD+RW Recording: No
DVD-RAM Recording: No
Number of Output Channels: 2 (Stereo), 5 + Subwoofer (5.1), 4 + Subwoofer (4.1)
Number of Speakers: 5 Speakers, 6 Speakers
DVD Player / Recorder: with DVD Player
Home Theatre System (Digital Dolby and DVD Player): Audio Home System, Home Theatre System
Ethernet: No
1080p Upscaling: No
Blu-ray Playback: No
USB Interface: No
iPod Control: No
Sound Projector: No
HDMI: No
Height in mm: 416
Depth in mm: 343
DLNA certified: No
PC Streaming: No
3D: No
Web Content Access: No
Internet Radio: No
WiFi Connectivity: No
AirPlay: No
Compact Flash Card: No
Built-In Modem: No
Multimedia Card: No
Smart Media Card: No
Video Cassette Player / Recorder: No
Secure Digital Card: No
PCMCIA Interface: No
MP3 Recording: No
Memory Stick: No
MD Player / Recorder: without MD Player / Recorder
Cassette Deck: without Cassette Deck
Listed on Ciao since: 15/01/2006


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1990 Volvo 240 - Consumer Review
Build Quality
Reliability Value
Build Quality
Reliability Value
My volvo 240DL
By Dju on
Vehicle1990 Volvo 240 DL 4dr Sedan
ReviewI really love my 240! You can drive a
240 comfortably at 80mph. I installed
a cam shaft from IPD USA and the
engine gained 15HP. Volvos are
legendary for winter driving. The 240
is a very stable car because its
weight is split 50/50 front/rear. As
for parts, find a scrap yard, you can
get parts really cheap there. You
won't loose any time disassembling
parts unlike many modern cars you have
room! As for Volvo dealers, don't go
there for maintenance, they will rip
you off! As for rust, VERY IMPORTANT
check for water infiltrations on the
seal joint around the dash! Use
Synthetic oil and you'll be good for a
million miles!
Best FeaturesWinter driving A+++, very comfortable, room for legs on the back seat, at 80 mph, the engine is going at 2700 rpm with standard shift.
Worst FeaturesAn automatic transmission that shift at 3000-3500 rpm instead of 2000rpm! Good advice: get standard shift. A 130- 140 hp engine like the 740 16-valves or the 740 turbo, otherwise, buy the cam shaft from IPD USA...
Recommend (0) (0)
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In this episode of NWP Radio, we will spend the hour talking about the relationship of writing to athletic performance and learning. Joining us will be Rich Kent--director of the University Maine Writing Project and author of Writing on the Bus: Using Athletic Team Notebooks and Journals to Advance Learning and Performance in Sports--as well as several teachers, coaches, and athletes.
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Universal Electronics to Present at Citi's 2016 Small and Mid Cap Conference
May 26, 2016
SANTA ANA, Calif.-- Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), (NASDAQ:UEIC), announced Paul Arling, chairman and CEO, and Bryan Hackworth, senior vice president and CFO, are scheduled to attend Citi's Small and Mid Cap Conference on June 9, 2016 in New York City.
Management will present at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, with one-on-one meetings held throughout the day. A copy of UEI's most recent investor presentation will be available on its website at www.uei.com.
About Universal Electronics
Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ: UEIC) is the worldwide leader in universal control and sensing technologies for the smart home. For more information, please visit www.uei.com/about.
Paul Arling, 714-918-9500
LHA Investor Relations
Becky Herrick, 415-433-3777
Benny Canady
UEI Corporate Marketing and Public Relations
Contact Us


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There's a commercial out this month for one of those new-fangled electric cars and it stars a polar bear named Aggie. She is awesome and I want to live with her and you will too after you see the ad.
Okay, here's the spot:
And here's "the making of" video to see how they did it.


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Welcome to Argos Automotive!
Your Rutland area independent repair facility specializing in the repair and maintenance of Subaru™ and SAAB™ brand vehicles.
As your car ages and parts begin to wear out, I can show you how and why. The truth is many subarus and saabs have headgasket problems-both internal and external leaking--that can last for years. Symptoms include fluid cross-contamination--that is--coolant getting into the oil--frothy dipstick--or oil getting into coolant system--oil present in the coolant resevoir. Once this happens, the longevity of your engine begins to decrease. Clearly, one doesnt want a water based substance in the engines oil lubricating system. Gaskets can leak externally--causing burning oil and/or coolant smells.... Check out these useful youtube videos.
Here at Argos automotive, replacing headgaskets on your subaru or saab is common place and routine.. I have crucial special tools and Subaru™ and SAAB™factory training for the correct replacement of these and many other parts that fail on your subaru or saab.


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K Composite Magazine
By K Composite Media
This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.
"I love K Composite." –Ira Glass, This American Life
Up-close and personal with non-famous people.
K Composite investigates the lives of unknown personalities with the same attention, design and photography that is typically reserved for celebrities.
Hailed by NPR's Talk of the Nation, Chicago Tribune, Design Milk, Harper's and Rolling Stone.
K Composite assaults its interviewees with third-degree questioning about their lives, relationships and unusual experiences.
"K Composite is a sly concept where normal citizens are raised to the level of celebrity, while simultaneously, the notion of celebrity is deflated because only normal citizens are interviewed." –The Courier-Journal
One of the top arts & photography magazines for iPad in the United States and a dozen other countries.
We're so thrilled that you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy making it!
What's New in Version 5.2
We fixed a few things that you probably won't notice but they were making us crazy.
iPad Screenshots
- Free
- Category: Lifestyle
- Updated: Jan 16, 2015
- Version: 5.2
- Size: 13.6 MB
- Language: English
- Seller: K Composite Media LLC
- © 2015 K Composite Media
Compatibility: Requires iOS 7.0 or later. Compatible with iPad.


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Teacher who romped with teen pupil back behind bars for deleting incriminating photos
AN ex-teacher released on bail accused of having sex 24 times with an underage kid is back in custody accused of trying to remotely delete pictures from her mobile.
It is claimed she went into a Verizon mobile shop in St Cloud, Florida, and asked staff how to do that and also change the access code, also remotely.
The phone was being held in the evidence room of the local police station.
Now officers in St. Cloud police have rearrested the Osceola County substitute teacher.
Sara Moore, 35, was originally arrested on January 3 on 10 counts of sexual battery and had her mobile placed into evidence.
She was later bonded out of jail.
"It's my understanding that she had her daughter's cell phone and was trying to get it activated"Sara Moore's attorney
But officers now claim Moore went to a Verizon store on Tuesday at 1:30 pm in St. Cloud, told the assistant she was in trouble with police and asked how to remotely delete information on her phone.
The shop worker called the police and reported the incident. It is not yet known if anything on the phone was altered.
Hauled back before a judge again, her lawyer pleaded her case, but to no avail.
Her attorney said: "It's my understanding that she had her daughter's cell phone and was trying to get it activated. I don't know why the passcode would've been altered or changed in any way."
She now faces new charges of tampering with police evidence.
Judge Diana Tennis ordered Moore to stay away from all forms of internet, tablets, phones and computers.
Local channel News 6 reports the Office of the State Attorney has officially filed fresh charges against Moore.
She now faces seven counts of lewd and lascivious conduct with a person between the ages of 12 and 18 and is being held on no bond.
Moore has worked for the Osceola County School District for about three years, most recently as a substitute health teacher at St. Cloud Middle School. The district has terminated Moore pending the outcome of the investigation.
Police claim Moore had several sexual encounters with the victim inside the home where neighbours said she lives with her husband and children.


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Sian Blake murder: EastEnders star's sis calls for boyfriend to be 'brought to justice'
MURDERED ex-EastEnder's star Sian Blake's sister has called for her boyfriend to return home to face justice.
Arthur Simpson-Kent, 48, is believed to have fled to Ghana after Miss Blake and her sons – Zachary, eight, and Amon, four – disappeared on December 13.
Police found what are feared to be their bodies in the garden of the family home in Erith, Kent, earlier this week.
Today, Miss Blake's sister Ava said Simpson-Kent – who was quizzed by cops at the house but disappeared shortly afterwards – should be "brought back to justice".
"They are angry about Sian – but the boys have devastated us."Ava Blake
Murder squad detectives are urgently trying to find Simpson-Kent.
Speaking at Scotland Yard's headquarters, Miss Blake said: "Unfortunately I believe Arthur was responsible.
"I want him to face justice and explain why. It's my nephews more than anything.
"My brother is angry. My cousins are angry.
"They are angry about Sian – but the boys have devastated us."
She added: "We have lost a generation. We can never replace them.
"I want him to be brought back to justice.
"He'll have to answer to the courts of this country and to God eventually.
"I don't know what is going through his mind."
Scotland Yard has refused to confirm reports that Simpson-Kent has fled to Africa – but a spokesman said: "Whether or not he is in the country is one line of inquiry."
Miss Blake broke down in tears as she paid tribute to her sister.
"I have lost my sister and my nephews. I'm not going to see them grow up," she said.
"I'm going to miss Sian. She was my sister and someone I loved.
"I was proud of her as an actress. I just wanted the best for her and my nephews.
"We always had hope because of certain things we were told by police.
"That hope was always there."
The force has faced questions over why it took so long for its murder squad to become involved in the investigation.
The case was taken over by homicide detectives on Monday – before the three as yet unidentified bodies were found the next day at the Erith address.
The Met has admitted "potential issues" with its investigation after taking 20 days to find their bodies.
An ex-cop has suggested officers took so long to locate their bodies as top brass refused to pay for the Christmas overtime.
Ex-Met detective Colin Sutton told the Sun: "It is remarkable for the bodies of a missing mother and her children to be found at their home address three weeks after they are reported missing.
"It is the first place you would look."
He added: "If the search had taken place over Christmas it would have been three times the price because of overtime."
But Ms Blake's sister revealed she did not have any criticism of the police investigation.
Asked whether she believed police did everything they could, Miss Blake replied: "Yes I do."
Scotland Yard has referred its handling of the case to the watchdog, the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Miss Blake, 43, had motor neurone disease – a fatal, rapidly progressing illness which affects the brain and spinal cord – and was reportedly looking "very frail" before she vanished.
She and her children were last seen in Waltham Forest , east London, on December 13 and her silver-beige Renault Scenic was found in Calvert Avenue in Bethnal Green, east London, on January 3. It is not known who parked it there.
Previously an unknown actress, her big break came when she was introduced as soul singer Frankie in EastEnders in June 1996 by series producer Jane Harris.
She was in the BBC soap for 56 episodes, reportedly quitting because of hostility from viewers towards her manipulative character.
The performer, who later worked as a sign language tutor, also appeared in episodes of The Bill, Casualty, Doctors and Skins, and was the voice of Yugiri in 2015 video game Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward.