Method and apparatus for measuring spinal distortions

Method and apparatus for measuring spinal distortions
USPTO
United States Patent 7,131,952
Dickholtz, Sr. , et al. November 7, 2006

Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring the spinal distortions of a person with laser sources prior to and after chiropractic treatment of a patient to differentiate between spinal distortions prior to and subsequent to any treatment. The apparatus includes a wall chart having measurement indicia, shoulder and/or pelvic girdle harnesses or frames mounted on a patient and each having means for projecting laser line and/or dot beams onto the wall chart for measuring spinal tilt and torque. A unique protractor is provided to coact with the wall chart and the laser line beam to measure spinal tilt. A laser source for projecting a vertical line beam measures abnormalities in posture by projecting the beam to a side of a patient.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventors: Dickholtz, Sr.; Marshall (Lincolnwood, IL), Dickholtz; Mary Ann (Lincolnwood, IL)
Appl. No.: 10/893,481
Filed: July 15, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current U.S. Class: 600/594 ; 33/512; 600/587
Current International Class: A61B 5/103 (20060101); A61B 1/00 (20060101); A61B 5/117 (20060101); G01B 1/00 (20060101)
Field of Search: 600/587,594,595 33/512,1C,1G,1K,1BB,286,DIG.21

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References Cited [Referenced By]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. Patent Documents

379206 March 1888 Brackett
3363504 January 1968 Lill
3699856 October 1972 Chabot et al.
4135498 January 1979 McGee
4425713 January 1984 Rotella
4600012 July 1986 Kohayakawa et al.
4662079 May 1987 Graf et al.
5088504 February 1992 Benesh et al.
5203346 April 1993 Fuhr et al.
5398697 March 1995 Spielman
5443079 August 1995 Greenawalt
5954674 September 1999 Fuhr
5966827 October 1999 Horvath et al.
6159168 December 2000 Warner et al.
6206787 March 2001 Kleppen
6263584 July 2001 Owens
6468233 October 2002 Cook
6514219 February 2003 Guimond et al.
6565519 May 2003 Benesh

Other References
Bozic, B. et al. Biomechanical Analysis of the Lumbar Spine. Minim. Invas. Neurosurg. 40(1997) 24-26. cited by examiner.

Primary Examiner: Hindenburg; Max F.
Assistant Examiner: Apanius; Michael
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zickert; Lloyd L.