Nicolet Biomedical, Inc.

Robert L Schneider

An electric reflex hammer is provided which produces consistent triggering signals at the moment of impact of the hammer against a patient. A sealed switch, rigidly attached to the hammer near the striking surface of the hammer, and a switch activator, used to make the switch closure, provide the triggering signal. Use of the sealed switch allows the switch contacts to move freely without the tension or weight effects of connection wires attached to the contacts. Instead, fixed terminals extending from the sealed switch are provided, whereby the hammer may be attached by a wire to an electrical measuring device. Consistent switch closure and triggering signals are achieved, therefore, regardless of how the connection wire is attached to the hammer, or how the switch is activated. This improvement in consistency allows for much more accurate measurement of muscle response time using electronic measurement of physiological signals, such as through use of an evoked potential recording device.

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Middleton, WI, United States of America

Robert L Schneider