Pain Locator - a "Sorely" Needed Diagnostic Tool

"Where does it hurt?", the doctor asks.

From the patient's answers and manually pressing (Palpation OR Percussion), the doctor makes an "educated guess" as to where the pain is coming from.  This is especially true for those with chronic pain.

Yes, there are Interactive Pain Locators, similar to Symptom Checkers, but not much if anything on sci/tech tools to locate pain.

Also, some Chiropractors have a hand-held device that measures skin conductance and/or temperature around the spine, in hopes of "showing" where the pain is coming from.

How about a Non-Invasive "Pain Locator" Device, perhaps an Electronic and/or Computer device?

• I'm thinking of a hand-held device to send focused vibrations into the body where the patient generally thinks the pain is located.  
• I also plan to include biofeedback to "see" when the pain location is triggered.  I think biofeedback would be more precise than patient feedback.  
• In essence, have a device to do Palpation and/or Percussion - plus - biofeedback to record the intensity of the triggering of the sympathetic nervous system when the pain center is triggered - plus - recording the position of the handheld device, and the angle thereof.
• Many more features, yet to be discovered.  From what I see so far in my research, we could include sound, heat, vibration, low dose electrical stimulation, etc. to make a multi-dimensional tool to pinpoint the pain location(s).
• Beyond this, perhaps the tool or technique could identify how much of the "perceived pain" is actually physical and how much is psychological/emotional (stress related pain symptoms).

With this futuristic tool the doctor, and/or maybe even the patient, can figure out where the pain is coming from and treat it accordingly.  All we need to do is make it.  😀

Maybe I'll make a Working Model of this and/or write a book.  I see this tool as "sorely" (pun) needed, instead of the "trial and error" methods currently used to diagnose pain and, even worse, exploratory surgery.

What do you think?  Got any suggestions?  Anyone else working on this?


Below is the research I've found so far.....what do you think?  Anyone got anything else, so I don't "reinvent the wheel"?  We can build on the work of others, now.

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SPOC Pain Locator Receives FDA Approval 

Chiropractic gimmickry – Science-Based Medicine

Portable Hands-Free Device to Locate and Release Active Trigger ...

Do you use ultrasonography to localize myofascial trigger points?

Objective Sonographic Measures for Characterizing Myofascial ...

Novel Applications of Ultrasound Technology to Visualize and ...

Diagnostic Aids

Localizing and Assessing Amputee Pain with Intense Focused ... - DTIC

Objective Method for Pain Detection/Diagnosis - DTIC

8 Tests Doctors Use to Diagnose Pain: Myelogram, CT Scan, MRI, and ...

Labs and Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Pain

New Muscle Pain Detection Device to Diagnose Muscles as a Source ...

Apparatus for diagnosing muscular pain and method of using same

Method for direct diagnosis and treatment of pain of muscular origin

Acoustic palpation using non-invasive ultrasound techniques to identify and …

Method for analysis of pain images

Acoustic palpation using non-invasive ultrasound techniques to identify and …

System for instant diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue disorders

Palpation evaluation or diagnosis device, system and method

Seek gloves pattern B ultrasonic appearance of painful trigger point department …

Method and apparatus for diagnosing and assessing central pain

Medical algesia, thigmesthesia quantitative detector

Novel multi -functional stethoscope

Apparatus and method for recording progress notes

An apparatus for determining the trigger points sensitivity and pain threshold …

Method and apparatus for detecting, recording and analyzing spontaneously …

Multi-Finger Palpation Haptic Device - Arduino Forum

A Single-Use Haptic Palpation Probe for Locating ... - GitHub Pages

A Review of Simulators with Haptic Devices for Medical Training

Robotic Palpation Data Sharing

Autonomous Palpation for Tumor Localization ... - EECS Berkeley

Design of a Wearable Fingertip Haptic Device for Remote Palpation

Pain Detection Through Arduino EEG Signalling.mp4 - YouTube

Pain Detector Gives Actual Pain Score | GomerBlog

Validity and reliability of a pain location tool for pediatric abdominal ...

Where it hurts: a systematic review of pain-location tools for children.

Reliability and refinement of a pain location tool for ... - Future Medicine

US20170113063A1 - Phototherapy device with pain location input ...

Pain assessment using the adolescent pediatric pain tool: a systematic ...

Migraine Pain Location and Measures of Healthcare Use and Distress ...

Pain assessment now fits in doctors' Palm

Who is Using PainTracker? - UW Departments Web Server

Pain location and intensity communication apparatus and method

Method for analysis of pain images

Pain migration tracking and display method

System and method for mapping pain depth

Electrical transcutaneous pain suppression and pain location device

Phototherapy device with pain location input.

Pain surveying and visualization in a human bodily region

Systems and methods for pain tracking

Apparatus for expression location of pain

TMD diagnosis support system and apparatus including pain detector

Species pain location determining means

20160019371 System and method for musculoskeletal pain and injury evaluation and treatment

WO/2016/014163 THREE DIMENSIONAL SENSOR-BASED INTERACTIVE PAIN MAPS FOR LOCALIZING PAIN 

5984368 Patient condition and pain location and intensity communication apparatus and method

WO/2013/087895 ANS STIMULATION

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Disclaimer - Article is for information only is not medical advice.

Veterinary Telemedicine, Teleheath, Televisit

Taking pets to the vet is stressful, especially on the sick pet. 

Telemedicine is becoming more acceptable for humans, so maybe pets, too, I wondered.

Here are some resources you might find interesting:

• Telemedicine general -Telemedicine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 
• CVMA Policy on Veterinary Telehealth 
• PetZam Announces Beta Launch of Veterinarian Telehea 
• Telemedicine for Cats | Animal Pain Vet - Dr. Ava Frick 
• Telemedicine | The Dog Doctor 
• Veterinary Hospice Skype Consultations – - Skype Blogs 
• LiveVet » Skype based veterinary consultation service 
• Veterinary Oncology Consultations via Skype Available ... 
•  Veterinary Telemedicine, Volume 16, Issue 2 of Clinical techniques in small animal practice

  	Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

Emotional Distress (Stress) Word Monitor and Analyzer

I think people generally talk a lot about what's bothering them, even if they're not aware of it.

What's "bothering them" might very well have be a factor in their physical symptoms, however, especially for those with chronic conditions.

If the doctor "only knew" what was going on "inside" a patient, they might very well diagnose and/or treat a patient differently.  At least, I hope so.  To be fair to the doctor, many patients won't talk much, even if prompted.  So, the "rest of the story" is not available is not available to the doctor for consideration.

So, how about a "Emotional Distress (Stress) Word Monitor and Analyzer"? - to record and analyze the words spoken by the patient all day long, for several days, maybe even a month - then give a report to the doctor and/or patient.  I'm picturing a Small Wearable Device something like a Holter Monitor , only monitoring words/speech/conversation instead of heart function.  Maybe it would look like a Wrist Watch.  Who knows?

Also, you could monitor the very popular "phone texting", "tweeting", computer activity, and social media activity to determine patient "stressors".

The speech/text analysis could include...

• Word count to signify what is important to the patient.
• Voice Stress Analysis correlating to the words spoken at the time.
• Words spoken during certain times of the day.
• Maybe more I haven't thought of yet...

In addition, the Monitor/Analyzer could include these...

• Camera to record stress level during certain events and/or around certain people. 
• Stress Monitor, perhaps using Skin Conductance and/or Heart Rate Variability.
• Report generation showing Patient Stressors over time and maybe advice for doctor on how to better diagnose and/or treat patient.

By doing this non-invasive test, the patient would be developing a "Stressor Profile", without even knowing it.

The results of this test could be presented to the Healthcare Provider and/or Therapist to determine next steps.  By doing so, the doctor can look at a bigger picture of what might be causing and/or aggravating physical symptoms - instead of just treating the physical symptoms!

OK, so here's some of what's been done before in this area...from here I might make a working model and/or write a book about it.  Wish me luck.

Call Centers Tap Voice-Analysis Software to Monitor Moods | WIRED

Voice Analysis Tech Could Diagnose Disease - MIT Technology Review

an efficient speech analysis library for unobtrusive monitoring on ...

Scientists Can Now Diagnose Depression Just by Listening to Your ...

Machine Learning Algorithm Uses Speech Patterns to Diagnose ...

MIT built a wearable app to detect emotion in conversation - The Verge

Conversation analyzer, conversation analysis system, conversation analysis …

Pain management based on emotional expression measurements

VoiceNotes: A Speech Interface for a Hand-Held Voice Notetaker

Electronic voice diary

Speech-based biofeedback method and system

Holter Monitor Diary | American Heart Association

Affective instability in patients with chronic pain: a diary approach. - NCBI

Putting Feelings Into Words Produces Therapeutic Effects in the Brain ...

Cancer Survivors' Responses to Daily Stressors: Implications for ...

Stress profile in essential hypertension. - NCBI

Stress management: Know your triggers - Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

How to Make an "Auditory Arousal Tool" for someone in Coma, Trauma, or Unexpectedly Dying

What I'm thinking of here is a pre-recorded message by loved ones to "Please wake up.  We need you" or something like that.

This recorded message could be on a tape recorder, smartphone, pendent medical alert, etc.

Maybe someday I'll make a working model to illustrate the concept, but for now I'm seeing "what's been done before", so I can build on their work.

Here's my research so far...

Effect of auditory stimulation on traumatic coma duration in intensive ...

Effectiveness of direct and non-direct auditory stimulation on coma ...

Family voices and jokes help coma victims wake up sooner - Telegraph

Family Voices and Stories Speed Coma Recovery - Northwestern Now

Coma patients show improved recovery from hearing family voices

Effects of auditory stimuli on comatose patients with head injury. - NCBI

The Efficacy of Familiar Voice Stimulation During Coma Recovery ...

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) monitor and stimulator

Creating a Sensory Stimulation Kit - Super Duper Publications

1020010092748 NECK GUARD HAVING AWAKENING DEVICE

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.

How to Use Sci/Tech to Help Someone in Severe Pain and/or Dying

This post isn't what you think.  It is not about assisted suicide, per say.  Or, is it?

The more I work with mind/body/emotions, I still see so much untapped potential to ease the suffering of someone in severe pain and/or dying.  Thus, I plan to write a book about this.

As I began research on this topic, I see a strong connection between Emotions and Pain and/or the Dying Process.

Doesn't it make sense to try to get the patient to Relax, thereby Reducing Pain Level, and/or allow the Smooth Transition to Death?

• A lot has been written on the Connection between Stress and Pain.  I probably won't cover this much in my book.

• I think part of pain, and even dying, is the struggle "inside" a person, that might be causing and/or aggravating the pain and/or dying.  Perhaps, this relates to the Will to Live.  Perhaps this struggle might be feelings of fear, regret, unfinished business, worry about others, sadness/grief, loss of control, etc.  Maybe there is a "pull" from the "other side" and/or a "push" from the person to quit fighting and just die.  Who knows?  It is different for each person.

What I see in all this so far is that maybe Sci/Tech can help the person in Severe Pain and/or Dying to relax.  This probably will be the focus of my book.  Read on....

It is my attempt in this upcoming book to gather information on "what's been done before" and offer up ideas on "what else might be done".  By doing so, I hope to help others, stimulate innovation, and bring about positive changes.

In doing research on this topic, I was surprised on how few Sci/Tech innovations have been made to consider the psychological/emotional aspect of pain and/or dying.  It's my job to get this innovation going - by writing and inventing. 

In the end, it is caring people, not sci/tech that helps someone in severe pain and/or dying.  

Sci/Tech, though, might be able to assist the caregivers and/or patients though to indicate the psychological/emotional state of the patient.  This indication might show caregivers if their words/actions are helping or hurting the patient, especially if the patient is non-communicative.  The goal is to help people in severe pain and/or dying to relax.

Maybe through Emotion Monitoring we'll learn more about Near Death Experiences, too.

I'm so excited.  This is a new frontier and I'm right on the brink of discovery.

Thank you for reading this post.  I hope you will consider buying and reading my book, when it comes out.  What I find, I'll share with you in my book.

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My research so far...(General Information for patients, family/friends/healthcare workers, etc.)

Providing Comfort at the End of Life - National Institute on Aging

Prayers for the Dying

Compositions and methods for imaging pain and stress in vivo

Tips for Talking with Someone Who is Dying - Canadian Virtual Hospice

What to Say to a Dying Friend, Someone Who's Sick - AARP

Tips for Visiting Someone on Hospice | VITAS Healthcare

How to Talk to Cancer and Dying Patients - CNA.plus

I Don't Know what to Say ...: How to Help and Support Someone who is ...

What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say - Hospice of the Red ...

A Study of Meeting the Emotional Needs of Dying Patients and ... - DTIC

Providing Comfort at the End of Life - National Institute on Aging

What people close to death say about euthanasia and assisted suicide ...

End of Life and Hospice Care | Taking Charge of Your Health ...

The Inner Life of the Dying Person (End-of-Life Care: A Series): Allan ...

Psychotherapy of the Dying Patient | Psychology Today

Hypnotherapy with Hospice Care and/or Dying Clients

Guided Imagery | The Last Visit

Meditations for Sick and Dying People - The Way of Meditation

Hypnotherapy with Hospice Care and/or Dying Clients

Ten Reasons Guided Meditation is a Best Practice for Hospice ...

Hospice & Palliative Care - Guided Imagery and Meditation Blog ...

Research on how Sci/Tech might help the Person in Severe Pain and/or Dying to Relax...

Medical Monitor with Emotional Stress Pain Indicator and Biofeedback ...

Devices and methods for passive patient monitoring

101212902* DEATHBED SERVICE SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TRANQUILITY TO A PATIENT WHO WILL SOON DIE

Method for cancer pain treatment

System for dying service

Method and apparatus of obtaining peace of mind

End-of-life end before prediction system

Medical system

End-of-life monitoring system in non-medical mode

Intelligent calling-for-help wristband

Determining a psychological state of a subject

Apparatus for biophilically promoting personal relaxation, for reducing …

Sensory device useful in bringing a patient neurological or psychological …

20070135676 Method and apparatus of obtaining peace of mind

101212902* DEATHBED SERVICE SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TRANQUILITY TO A PATIENT WHO WILL SOON DIE

End of Life Tools

Fear of Dying Hypnosis Script | Hypnosis Scripts

Hypnotherapy with Hospice Care and/or Dying Clients

Meditation for the dying - OSHO Sammasati

Overcome Fear of Death | Self Hypnosis Downloads

20070135676 Method and apparatus of obtaining peace of mind

20110190569 Non-invasive methods and devices for inducing euphoria in a patient and their therapeutic application

Intense Emotions and the Near-Death Experience

Five Emotional Signs that Death is Nearing - Crossroads University

Altering Awareness: Part 2 Biofeedback, Near-Death Experiences ...

The Effects of States of Compassionate Presence on People in ...

[Mind-body connection, parapsychological phenomena and spiritual ...

Consciousness, Biofeedback and Neurotechnology

Emotions expressed by the dying are unexpectedly positive ...

Approach to End of Life Care - NCBI - NIH

The Experience of Death and Dying - Stan Grof

Psychotherapy with the Dying Person

Disclaimer - Article is for information only and is not medical advice.