Biomechanical measurement tool

Abstract

A skeletal measurement device is disclosed in which concave arcuate calipers extend from a central housing containing a gear actuated dial scale. Upon expansion of the ends of the concave calipers away from one another in reaching and measuring skeletal points on a body therebetween, the gear actuated scale measures the distance between the caliper ends. Preferably, the arcuate calipers are extensible to at least first and second lengths. Accordingly, the connected gear actuated dial scale is provided with corresponding scales indicating the correspondingly changed distance of the extended arms. When the instrument is extended with its calipers measuring skeletal reference points, an attached inclinometer provides gravitational angular reference to the vertical. Dependent upon how the central housing must be disposed to enable the calipers to reach about the body being measured, this inclinometer is hinged along a hinge axis parallel to a line between the ends of the calipers to allow rapid measurement of distance and angle between skeletal points. Preferably, the measuring instrument is suspended by an adjustable cord from the neck of the measuring therapist to free his or her hands for palpation, data recording, safety of patient and movement of the measuring arms during rapid repeatable measurement. Provision is made for the attachment of palpation ends to the ends of the concave arcuate arms so that the skeletal points on a body can be palpated at the same time as the instrument is suspended around the therapist's neck and the measurements are read.