AU2015100317A4 - 'C-Pin' A novel design for an apparatus used in the examination of pain perception in clinical medicine. With improvements in comfort, ease and effectiveness. - Google Patents

Abstract

An object for the examination of 'sharp-touch' and pain sensation of the skin as part of a medical examination; with a curving, 'C' shaped, semi-circular formation; in which both ends of the object face a common direction; allowing for the application of a sharp or blunt appendage to be applied to the skin by pivoting the object on a central axis in a 'seesaw' like motion; to be held by pinched fingers equal distances between the sharp and blunt appendage. -9,

Description

1 Title of Invention C-Pin TECHNICAL FIELD Medicine: Clinical Examination BACKGROUND [0001] The ability for a patient to perceive pain, or 'sharp-touch', in a particular area of skin is an important clinical sign. An inability to perceive painful sensation can, for example, indicate nerve damage, a pattern of stroke, or the extent to which a diabetic patient is suffering from peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation). [0002] Examination of pain perception can be achieved through the use of a stimulus to evoke a pain response and then asking the patient to comment on any feeling. This is commonly done through the use of a sharp pin to trigger the desired nerve response of pain. [0003] Pins are commonly used as part of medical examinations in what is called a 'pin-prick' test. It is important in this test that a pain response can be differentiated from mere pressure or touch sensation. Therefore the patients are asked to close their eyes while the exam is being performed, and the sharp object (pin) is interchanged with another dull object. The patient is asked to comment as to whether the sensation they feel is sharp or dull when the object, be it sharp or dull, is applied to their skin. [0004] If patient is unable to correctly distinguish the sensation between the pin and dull object this gives the examiner important information about the patient, and possible medical conditions. If the patient is able to distinguish clearly between the pin and dull object the examiner can be confident that the feeling that the patient experience is truly a 'pain' response and not pressure or touch sensation. [0005] It is very important for the examiner to apply and switch between sharp(pin) and dull objects in an even and unpredictable manner. A delay can indicate, or hint, to the patient that the examiner is currently switching and that they can therefore expect a different sensation when 2 the process resumes. This undermines the critical role of the test to assess the patient's ability to differentiate between sharp and dull through sensation alone. [0006] Another important consideration during this examination is infection control. The use of a pin on one patient should not be used on another, unless laboriously sterilized. This prevents the spread of microbiological pathogens. [0007] Simple apparatuses have been developed, and are in common use, to assist in the performance of this examination. These are disposable, and rectangular in shape. They have a pin on one end, and a dull plastic appendage on the other. These negate the need for two separate objects - one dull and one sharp - and satisfy the hygienic need through their disposability. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0001] The 'C-Pin' is a novel design for an apparatus to be used in the medical examination of patient's pain or 'sharp touch' sensation. [0002] It is a small semi-circular object. It is formed in the shape of a 'C', in that too ends of the object point towards a common direction. It is between 2-5cm in length, 2-5cm in depth, and 2-5mm in width. Size will largely vary depending on personal preference of the user or manufacturer. At one end of the object, where the semi-circular structure ends, there is a small protrusion, which is round and dull. At the other end of the semi-circular structure there is a short and sharp pin (plastic or metal), which protrudes. The pin is held in place within the body of the object. [0003] Before use of the 'C-Pin' the pin will be covered by a small piece of material (eg. Plastic). The cover will act to prevent contamination or trauma. The cover will be easily removed when the examiner is ready to use the device. [0004] The use of the 'C-Pin' will involve removing the protective cover from the pin and then applying the dull or sharp end of the 'C-Pin' to a patients skin. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION 3 [0005] The 'C-Pin' offers a novel semi-circular design, which allows to the examiner to use a see-saw like motion when applying the pin or dull appendage to the patients skin. This reduces the dexterity required by the examiner to switch between the pin and dull sensations. [0006] The ease and comfort in which the 'C-Pin' can be applied, between sharp and dull, reduces the finicky and awkward process that is currently involved when using other methods. [0007] The seewaw or tipping movement of the 'C-Pin', rather then an up-down movement in other models, interestingly also gives the user an increased level of pressure control. The risk, and fear, of applying too much pressure with the sharp pin, which may puncture the skin, is reduced. [0007] Perhaps the most important advantageous effect of the 'C-Pin' is in the prevention of confounding factors during the examination. The ease of movement allows the examiner to follow a regular pattern and timing between each application on the skin. This regular timing is critical to prevent a delay between applications as the examiner switches (or flips) between the pin and dull object. The 'C-Pin', therefore, allows an examiner to be confident that the patient was not aware of when the examiner switched between sharp or dull objects, other then through the sensation they receive through their nerves. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0001] Figure 1 is a drawing depicting a 'current model' of apparatus commonly used today in examination. [0002] Figure 2 shows this 'current model' in use, where between each application of soft and sharp in must be flipped 180 degrees. [0003] Figure 3 depicts the general principle design of the 'C-Pin' it is a semi-circular structure which can be held in the middle. Five small lines indicate some texture may be placed for the comfort of the user. It shows a pin at the right side and a dull projection at left side. The small squares above the pin show where the pin would be fixed into the body of the device.

4 [0004] Figure 4 shows how the novel way the 'C-Pin' is applied to the skin of a patient in a 'seesaw' manner offering ease, comfort and a regular application.

Claims (6)

1. An object for the examination of 'sharp-touch' and pain sensation of the skin as part of a medical examination; with a curving, 'C' shaped, semi-circular formation; in which both ends of the object face a common direction; allowing for the application of a sharp or blunt appendage to be applied to the skin by pivoting the object on a central axis in a 'seesaw' like motion; to be held by pinched fingers equal distances between the sharp and blunt appendage.

2. A sharp appendage according to claim 1, where it shall be covered by a protective layer, which can be removed prior to use.

3. An object according to claim 1, that does not have to be upturned 90-180 degrees to differ in the application of sharp or blunt sensations.

4. An object according to claim 1, where the application of either blunt or sharp appendages can occur in a small pivot on the central axis in the range of 10 70 degrees.

5. An object according to claim 1, which can be constructed for repeated or disposable use.

6. An object according to claim 1, which can be made using a combination of metal composite and plastic, or plastic alone.