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Abstract

A method of performing 3-dimensional skeletal analysis on a patient using an apparatus which includes a digitizer, the digitizer being adapted to accept either a scanning digitizer tip or a point digitizer tip, includes the steps of placing the patient in a variety of positions relevant to musculoskeletal problems and performing a series of rolling scans, with the scanning digitizer tip and single point landmark digitizations of musculoskeletal landmarks, with the point digitizer tip to obtain 3-dimensional skeletal data. The data is analyzed in order to provide clinically relevant 3-dimensional information relating to musculoskeletal quantities and imbalances. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes an upright column support and a retractable column support movable along the support column for supporting the patient. A digitizer measures the position of a point, or a group of points, on the patient's body in 3-dimensional space. The digitizer includes a plurality of rotatable transducers and a plurality of link members linking the rotatable transducers. The digitizer is connected at one end to the support column and has a free end. The free end of the digitizer is adapted to accept a digitizer tip. The apparatus also includes a computer and the output of the digitizer is connected to the computer whereby to provide data to the computer for computing the position of the point or group of points on the patient's body in 3-dimensional space.

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First Claim