Project Description:
As we get older, our bodies start to deteriorate. A study says that 35% of adults in the United States ages 50-59 have reported having chronic back pain. Back pain can affect the nervous system, so a preliminary test for a spinal compression is a Deep Tendon Reflex (DTR) test. However, getting to the doctor's office can cause a lot of pain and stress. The Tendon Tapper allows patients to test their reflexes from home. Just pressing a button actuates a motor attached to a DTR hammer, which will strike the patient’s patellar tendon and elicit a reaction. The device easily attaches to the patient through an adjustable brace. A doctor can watch the test over a telehealth call to observe the reaction. The tendon tapper can save a patient’s time and pain from taking a trip to the doctor’s office. Inconveniences can be burdensome as we get older. Not only can the tendon tapper save hours, but it can also provide proper medical care from the comfort of the patient’s own home.
