DEVICE FOR EVALUATING DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AND METHOD THEREFOR

摘要

[Problem] To provide an apparatus for measuring a sensory threshold at the time of application of a moving stimulus to a sole simply with high reproducibility and evaluating peripheral neuropathy originating in diabetes. [Solution] Provided are a foot pedestal 2, a probe 4 for applying a moving stimulus to a sole, and a probe driving structure 3, disposed on a base 1, for operating the probe 4 to separately move in directions intersecting at right angles along the sole. Also provided are an input switch 5 to be operated by a subject recognizing a moving stimulus, a drive controller 51 for controlling drive condition of the probe driving structure 3, and a main controller B for evaluating a measured sensory threshold. The main controller B preliminarily stores reference data of known sensory thresholds obtained by applying a moving stimulus to a sole of patients, and age correction factors calculated from standard values of sensory thresholds based on different ages of patients. The drive controller 51 controls drive condition of the probe driving structure 3 by using the reference data and the age correction factors to conduct a primary stimulus applying condition. Further, a secondary stimulus applying condition, and a tertiary stimulus applying condition are sequentially conducted to measure a sensory threshold.