Electronic device for measuring sensory thresholds in humans and animals

Abstract

An apparatus for testing and measuring sensory thresholds in humans and animals, including an electronic algometer and a probe housing. A strain gauge is installed within the probe housing and having one end fixed thereto and the other end movable. A support member is attached to the movable end of the strain gauge and extends out from an opening on the probe housing. A pipette member is press-fitted to the support member, where a resilient string has one end attached to the pipette member and the other end has a uniform tip diameter for creating a uniform reaction when a force is exerted thereto. The strain gauge measures the amount of deflection responsive to the force applied from the nylon string onto the support member with the uniform tip diameter of the resilient string in contact with the skin area of the human or animal and generates an electrical output signal indicative of the pressure applied. The electronic device is electrically interconnected to the strain gauge for receiving the electrical output signal from the strain gauge.