QUANTIFIED DEEP TENDON REFLEX DEVICE FOR RESPONSE AND LATENCY, THIRD GENERATION

Abstract

Deep tendon reflex is fundamental for a neurological examination. A hyperactive reflex response is correlated with spasticity, which can also be associated with the degree of damage to the supraspinal input, essentially assessing the severity of traumatic brain injury. Clinical evaluation of the myotatic stretch reflex is provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Myotatic Reflex Scale (0 to 4); however, the results of the NINDS Myotatic Reflex Scale vary in terms of interpretation and lack temporal data. Deep tendon reflex can assess the severity and degree of peripheral neuropathy. Subsequent to the neurological examination, suspect patients are often referred to a specialist for definitive electrodiagnostic testing. A study by Cocito found that 28% of the prescriptions for testing were considered to be inappropriate. Therefore, the solution is a fully quantified tendon reflex evaluation system. The input force of the reflex hammer is derived from a predetermined potential energy setting. Tandem wireless three-dimensional (3D) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers quantify the output and latency time of the reflex. The wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers are positioned to a standard anchor point near the ankle and reflex hammer swing arm. Reflex response is quantified by the maximum and minimum components of the acceleration profile. The temporal disparity between hammer strike and response defines the latency of the reflex loop. The quantified data collected from wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers are conveyed to a portable computer. Enclosed are the initial test and evaluation and the description of such a device, which quantitatively evaluates the reflex response and latency using wireless 3D MEMS accelerometers, while demonstrating precision for reproducibility.