Device for evaluating cutaneous sensory detection

摘要

An improved hand-held device for evaluating cutaneous sensory detection consisting of a plastic or similar material rod handle and a simple curve that enables function and versatility not possible without the curve. The curve helps prevent an attached monofilament used as the testing stimulus from being laid down upon itself, or being damaged when put in a case. It helps prevent the monofilament from being sheared off by another device's handle when several devices are grouped for a cutaneous sensory detection test. One embodiment adds a disk attachment at the end of the handle curve and extension. The disk is pre-embedded with a monofilament of a given diameter size, and length, enabling the monofilaments to be quickly and easily replaced or interchanged by an examiner without replacing an entire device, or disassembling a device. Alternative disks contain two or a plurality of filaments of preselected diameter size and length. An optional connector for the handle, with or without the disk attachment, permits more than one device to be used together. The connector enables two of a selected monofilament size and force to concurrently or sequentially apply the given force of application. In the preferred embodiment, a light source is optionally attached to the rod handle, or handles. The curve and extension of the handle in the new device design enables the attached light source to transmit through the clear light-conducting handle, to be bent by the curve, and with or without the clear disk attachment, to illuminate the perpendicular monofilament test stimulus, its application tip, and a skin area of the subject tested.