Professor Reuven Cohen Raz, an Israeli inventor, has developed a static balance test (Posturography) that may assist the diagnosis of Orthopedic diseases, Vertigo and other equilibrium disturbances.
Professor Cohen Raz, what is Posturography?
When a person stands on the floor, the person changes the pressure of his/her weight from one leg to the other as well as from one area of the same leg to the other. During the test, the tested person stands on special plates, which contain pressure sensors. The information is collected and transmitted to a computer where the data processing is made. Analysis of the output enables the examiner to draw conclusions regarding the medical condition of this person.
Are there similar instruments around the world?
Yes. There is an instrument which has one plate. The examined person stands on that plate and the plate itself changes its position due to the activity of an electric engine. This test is called Dynamic Posturography. My instrument is called Static Posturography, its advantages are that is cheaper, mobile and simpler.
What are your relations with the Israeli Air force?
In the past, the Israeli Air force used my invention for the examination of pilots during their training. Analysis of the Data showed that there is association between number of sleep hours and the Posturographic test. Pilots who had slept more hours reached better achievements in bombing and landing in comparison to those who were tired.
Do you believe such a test could have prevented the tragic accident of the Israeli pilot Captain Asaf Ramon, rest in peace?
The circumstances of this tragic accident are not known to the public, and are not known to me. I believe that even inside the Israeli Air Force, many important details are missing. Generally speaking, Posturography can help in the diagnosis of sleep deprivation, but this alone is not enough in preventing accidents.
What kind of medical conditions can be diagnosed by a Posturographic Test?
When the computer output is abnormal, it is possible to discriminate between “central” and “peripheral” origin of the vertigo. The terms “central” and “peripheral” refer to the brain and the internal ear. When encountering a person with Vertigo attacks, an important questions is where does the problem originate? Either in the brain or the internal ear. Orthopedic causes, dugs, alcohol, abnormal metabolism, medications, neurological conditions (such as muscle disease) can also be detected by a Posturographic Test.
Can you tell about medical doctors that use your invention?
Yes.,
Dr. Zecharya Shemesh (Renowned Tinnitus Researcher and Therapist) for instance. Dr. Shemesh referred to me patients that suffered from Vertigo or Meniere’s Disease. I have made some follow up on these patients and found remarkably impressive therapeutic results.
Dr. Victor Roth, An Orthopedic Surgeon, has his own Posturographic Machine and is testing his patients by himself. On the basis of the clinical diagnosis and the results of the test he prescribes insoles that are prepared precisely for every patient. Today, Dr. Roth has a very good reputation regarding orthopedic conditions that have any link to posture.
What kind of future usages do you see for your invention?
There are many possible usages. All depends on the budget that is dedicated to the subject by the decision makers. For example: in the USA, when a driver is asked to exhale into an alcohol detector is allowed to refuse. In order to enable the policemen to make the diagnosis of a drunk driver, a new law was initiated - it is now legal, for a policeman, to take blood samples.
The new law was not tested in court yet, it is possible that one of the drivers will refuse to do the blood test, hire a good lawyer and initiate a legal scandal.
Instead of an invasive blood test, a Static Posturographic Instrument can be applied to distinguish between a fit driver and a driver who poses high risk to society. The test will not diagnose the exact cause of the driver's disability. But then, for the public, it is not important whether the police diagnoses the underlying factor immediately or not.
Alcohol, Narcotic Drugs, Sever sleep deprivation or Uncontrolled Diabetes are all examples of possible causes for inability to follow traffic rules and be at high risk for car crush.
The Posturographic test is not invasive. It does not raise any problem associated with human rights. And therefore, there is no justification for drivers to object the test on that ground.
