A system for rapidly converting quadriceps contraction to a digital signal for use in microcomputer-oriented muscle...

A system for testing quadriceps performance is described involving a microcomputer, quadriceps switch, analogue-to-digital converter, electromyograph, and an interface unit that rapidly converts quadriceps contraction to a digital signal to be read by a microcomputer. A computer program, developed in response to a need for new patient assessment schedules in active rehabilitive therapy for strokes, tests the patient's control over function of the quadriceps muscle in the affected leg. The software is written in BBC BASIC and designed to run on an Acorn BBC Model 'B' microcomputer. Speed of interpretation of inputs is a few milliseconds.