Mark A Varner

US Patent:

6699207, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Apr 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/827311

Inventors:

Uri Tasch - Baltimore MD
Benny Erez - Silver Spring MD
Alan M. Lefcourt - Elkridge MD
Mark Varner - New Carrollton MD

Assignee:

University of Maryland - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

A61B 5103

US Classification:

600587

Abstract:

A computer-based diagnostic system is provided to detect and analyze ground reaction forces produced by an animal passing through the diagnostic system, and includes, in one aspect, a first plate and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate, a first plurality of load cells, and a second plurality of load cells. Each of the first and second plurality of load cells are configured to detect, respectively, a force applied to the first plate and the second plate along at least one axis and output signals representative of the detected force. A processor is provided to execute at least one force analysis instruction set, whereby the force analysis instruction set receives the signals output from the first and second plurality of load cells and calculates, a magnitude and location of a force applied to either of the first plate and the second plate.

US Patent:

20040158174, Aug 12, 2004

Filed:

Feb 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/769851

Inventors:

Uri Tasch - Baltimore MD, US
Benny Erez - Silver Spring MD, US
Alan Lefcourt - Elkridge MD, US
Mark Varner - New Carrollton MD, US

Assignee:

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

A61B005/103

US Classification:

600/587000, 600/595000

Abstract:

The invention includes a computer-based diagnostic system to detect and analyze ground reaction forces produced by an animal passing through the diagnostic system, wherein the system is particularly suited for detecting lameness in animals through analysis of the forces generated by the animal as it moves through the apparatus and system of the invention. The invention includes, in one aspect, a first plate and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate, a first plurality of load cells, and a second plurality of load cells. Each of the first plurality of load cells is configured to detect a force applied to the first plate along at least one axis and output a signal representative of the detected force and each of the second plurality of load cells is configured to detect a force applied to the second plate along at least one axis and output a signal representative of the detected force. A processor is provided and adapted to execute at least one force analysis instruction set, whereby the force analysis instruction set receives the signals output from the first and second plurality of load cells and calculates, in combination with the processor, a magnitude and location of a force applied to either of the first plate and the second plate.