The apparatus and method for the detection and quantification of joint and
tissue inflammation (100) of the present invention comprises a sensing
component (102) for obtaining and collecting data indicative of the
surface or dimensions of the joint or tissue. The sensing component (102)
comprises various components for obtaining measurements of the cardinal
signs of inflammation. Preferably the sensing component (102) includes a
device for detecting swelling (104), a color analyzing device (108), a
temperature measuring device (110), a pain or tenderness detection device
(112), an archival and retrieval device (114), and a display device
(116). In operation a patient is placed in position for examination of
the joint or tissue area measurements are taken of one or more of the
cardinal signs of inflammation at the joint or tissue area, the
measurements are automatically stored in a archival storage and retrieval
device (114), and from the measurements an inflammation score is derived
which can be compared against a baseline.