PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR SELECTIVE AND UNINVASIVE MEASUREMENT OF TIMECOURSES OF CONTRACTION OF CROSS-STRIATED MUSCLES

摘要

The subject of the invention presented are the procedure and device for selective and uninvasive measurement of time courses of contraction of cross-striated muscles, indirectly also of muscle force and/or torque. The procedure and device which materializes this procedure, are based upon the selective measurement of the movement of the belly of a skeletal muscle which is proportional to the muscle force, where belly of a skeletal muscle is known as a central part of a muscle in anatomy. The movement or displacement of the belly of a skeletal muscle for the need of this invention occurs at a voluntary or electric stimulation provoked contraction of an individual muscle or group of muscles. Biomechanical properties of a muscle or muscle group measured can be deduced from the measurements performed. It is known from physics that the work of a muscle is proportional to the product of the displacement and the muscle force, i.e. to the square of the displacement. The proposed technical realization of a tensiomiographic measuring system or device and respective procedures enable a relative comparison of individual muscles with regard to their speed of contraction, retention of contraction, relaxation, content of fibre type, maximum muscle force and endurance. The main advantage of the device tensiomiograph compared to devices of the present state of technique is its selectivity for individual muscles, simple calibration and use. The tensiomiograph is intended primarily for measurements in isometric conditions in combination with mechanical splints and other commercially available appliances as well as in isotonic and isokinetic conditions.