Spencer M Reese

20060004302, Jan 5, 2006

Jun 1, 2005

11/142572

Robert Tuckett - Salt Lake City UT, US
Spencer Reese - Taylorsville UT, US
Richard Sesek - Salt Lake City UT, US
Donald Bloswick - Salt Lake City UT, US

University of Utah Research Foundation - Salt Lake City UT

A61B 5/00

600552000

Apparatus, systems, and methods for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (“CTS”) are provided. Pressure on the median nerve at the wrist can lead to decreased tactile sensitivity in the fingertips. People with CTS may often experience numbness, tingling, and decreased sensitivity in their finger tips. Compared to a control group, subjects symptomatic of CTS had a greater mean shift (decrease) in tactile sensitivity than the control group when exposed to certain provocations. These provocations include wrist flexion, direct pressure on the transverse carpal ligament area of the wrist, and tendon loading. Additionally, the effects of slight venous occlusion in the forearm were studied. There is an increase in threshold during the recovery period after each provocation. Diagnosis of CTS is provided through monitoring and analysis, preferably with a computer in real-time, of subject's responses to these provocations.