Aesthesiometer

The device I chose to research is known as an Aesthesiometer, which is a sensory device intended to calculate an individual’s perception of their cutaneous two point threshold. The unit is made out of aluminum to allow for accurate measurements and measures in centimeters. The tips of the device are strongly insulated to reduce other influences like temperature and pain threshold to affect the individual’s sense of touch. This instrument is used to determine how short a distance between the two points on the subject’s skin, can be distinguished. The subject can be told to place their hand palm up and will be gently poked with the two pointed tool. The subject will be poked with two points, one point, then one point again. They will then have to verbally indicate whether or not they were poked with one or two points. The distance of the two points will start at a far width apart and become closer together over the course of the test. The subject will be allowed to be tested on a smaller width if no mistakes were made. Once mistakes are made, the experiment is discontinued. This data is used to calculate their threshold for sensory information. The Aesthesiometer can be used to test tactile sensibility on your foot, arm, palm of your hand, and other areas of the body. Different pressure can also be applied while using this tool. This is because receptors for tactile sensation are in your skin, muscles, and joints. This device can also be used to evaluate if there are any sensory deficits present in an individual before treatment can be given. 
 

https://www.lafayetteevaluation.com/product_detail.asp?ItemID=2115

http://books.google.com/books?id=CIy0_GH4ubIC&pg=PA574&lpg=PA574&dq=lafayette+instrument+company+aesthesiometer+how+are+they+used?&source=bl&ots=UQ1D5vl_rX&sig=6qiiY_2t7pIEIX-JTpQyjE4HXJI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SXouUryqDc-r4APY0ICIDg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=lafayette%20instrument%20company%20aesthesiometer%20how%20are%20they%20used%3F&f=false

http://books.google.com/books?id=hczaxaAXCDsC&pg=PA214&dq=what+does+an+aesthesiometer+calculate?&hl=en&sa=X&ei=94IuUuyfDrX94AOR_oGoBg&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=what%20does%20an%20aesthesiometer%20calculate%3F&f=false

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+was+a+Aesthesiometer+used+for+%28Lafayette+Instrument%29+%3F&noj=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=31s6UpvbFZTK4APotIDQAw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=621&dpr=1#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=YRLU-SA21dhBBM%3A%3BUIc1hOime6P3BM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fprohealthcareproducts.com%252Fimages%252Flafayette-instrument-two-point-aesthesiometer.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fprohealthcareproducts.com%252Fdexterity-tests-c-19%252Flafayette-instrument-two-point-aesthesiometer-p-1027%3B600%3B600

 Brianna Ruja