Abstract
Design and test results of an automated aesthesiometer for measuring gap detection threshold in a tactile inspection task are presented. What distinguishes this test from conventional tactility tests, such as two-point discrimination or monofilaments, is that it measures performance in a functional tactility task resembling those performed during manual work activities. Although test conditions are highly controlled, this test still permits natural finger probing activity while sensing surface feature defects like scratches, rather than sensing static unnatural sensory stimuli such as distinguishing two points, or detecting a point-pressure stimulus. The size of a precision scratch, or gap, introduced in an otherwise smooth surface is controlled using a micropositioner capable of producing a gap as small as 0.1 μm. Finger contact force is also carefully controlled within 100 mg accuracy for loads between 25 g and 75 g using a precision balance beam system. This instrument is entirely under microcomputer control and can be administered on a table-top in the field. In this study, normative performance is compared between static and dynamic sensory function rapid method of limits threshold detection paradigm. Probability of detecting randomly presented stimuli was also studied.
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