Sidney S Weinstein

US Patent:

54921325, Feb 20, 1996

Filed:

Feb 25, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/202697

Inventors:

Sidney Weinstein - Lewisboro NY
Curt Weinstein - Danbury CT

Assignee:

Neurocommunication Research Laboratories, Inc. - Danbury CT

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128744

Abstract:

An apparatus for measuring skin tactile thresholds and, thus, skin irritation comprises a set of unitarily formed monofilaments whose tips are textured and curved. The unitary tip of the monofilament accordingly does not break or fall off, and due to its texture and curvature is accordingly capable of contacting a skin surface with substantially no slippage for eliciting tactile pressure stimulations that are more consistently of the pressure type than the conventional esthesiometer, which elicits both pressure and pain stimulations randomly. The present apparatus consistently stimulates a skin site with pressure stimuli of various intensities and the perceptual experience of each pressure stimulation can accordingly be accurately recorded in each of two modalities: touch and pain. A method of making the unitarily formed stimulating monofilament comprises providing an elongated monofilament having a tip end portion; applying heat to the tip end portion until the tip end portion balls-up and becomes curved and textured; and mounting a non-free end portion of the monofilament to a handle member.

US Patent:

52303470, Jul 27, 1993

Filed:

Mar 3, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/845069

Inventors:

Curt Weinstein - Danbury CT
Sidney Weinstein - South Salem NY
Ronald Drozdenko - Woodbury CT

Assignee:

Neurocommunication Research Laboratories, Inc. - Danbury CT

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128740

Abstract:

Apparatus for the determination of corneal thresholds, for example the corneal center, through the use of air flow to specific corneal sites, comprises a "stimulate" air flow path leading from an air compressor through a stimulate nozzle to the cornea for stimulation, and a "non-stimulate" air flow path leading from the air compressor to a calibrate nozzle, so that the force in the stimulate nozzle may be set before stimulation. A further "exhaust" air flow path is provided quickly to exhaust air from the stimulate nozzle to provide a sharp turn-off of the force of the air flow applied to the optic cornea, thereby obtaining a substantially rectangular stimulation characteristic. The nozzle is wide and flat with a dimple or recess formed substantially at or near the center thereof where air exits therefrom, so that the force and extent of air needed to stimulate the cornea is limited. Air flow is provided with a rapid off-flow, allowing for a more rectangular air flow characteristic, for stimulation of the cornea without damage and pain to the cornea. The nozzle may be positioned near to the cornea of a patient to be tested through the use of an eyeglass frame-type mounting and adjustment mechanism, or a headgear-type mounting and adjustment mechanism, or a slit lamp-type adjustment mechanism having a headrest member.

US Patent:

53818067, Jan 17, 1995

Filed:

Dec 13, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/166206

Inventors:

Sidney Weinstein - Lewisboro NY
Curt Weinstein - Danbury CT
Ronald Drozdenko - Woodbury CT

Assignee:

Neurocommunication Research Laboratories, Inc. - Danbury CT

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128744

Abstract:

A method of measuring the itch sensitivity of a skin surface of a subject patient comprises applying a unitarily formed elongated stimulating monofilament having a curved, textured stimulating tip at a free end thereof to contact the skin surface of the subject patient. The stimulating monofilament is dragged both distally and proximally across the skin surface, and a degree of itch rating of the subject patient is recorded. An apparatus for delivering such pressure-induced sensations to a subject skin surface includes a handle having a distal portion for applying a stimulus and a proximal portion grippable by a user. The apparatus further includes a plurality of heads coupled to the distal portion of the handle, and a plurality of elongated stimulating monofilaments of varying diameters each attached to a respective one of the plurality of heads for contacting the subject skin surface. Each of the heads is individually rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the plurality of monofilaments are arranged such that a monofilament of greatest diameter is attached to a head coupled to the handle at a distalmost portion of the distal portion of the handle.

US Patent:

53160118, May 31, 1994

Filed:

Nov 18, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/978109

Inventors:

Sidney Weinstein - South Salem NY
Curt Weinstein - Danbury CT
Ronald Drozdenko - Woodbury CT

Assignee:

Neurocommunication Research Laboratories, Inc. - Danbury CT

International Classification:

A61B 1900

US Classification:

128744

Abstract:

A method of measuring the itch sensitivity of a skin surface of a subject patient comprises applying a unitarily formed elongated stimulating monofilament having a curved, textured stimulating tip at a free end thereof to contact the skin surface of the subject patient. The stimulating monofilament is dragged both distally and proximally across the skin surface, and a degree of itch rating of the subject patient is recorded. An apparatus for delivering such pressure-induced sensations to a subject skin surface includes a handle having a distal portion for applying a stimulus and a proximal portion grippable by a user. The apparatus further includes a plurality of heads coupled to the distal portion of the handle, and a plurality of elongated stimulating monofilaments of varying diameters each attached to a respective one of the plurality of heads for contacting the subject skin surface. Each of the heads is individually rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the handle, and the plurality of monofilaments are arranged such that a monofilament of greatest diameter is attached to a head coupled to the handle at a distalmost portion of the distal portion of the handle.