A Message from the President of Connecticut Bioinstruments

"While anybody can make monofilament nerve testers, my company calibrates them. While some others calibrate them, my company uses Softip, a procedure in which the tip is rounded. Why Softip(tm)? Much of the detection of the monofilament in sick patients is due to its sharpness. Sharpness (of the right cylindrical edge) stimulates the tiny nerve fibers which are incredibly resistant to damage. So when a person's foot in 90% dead, often it is reported as hanging in there -- still OK. Not so for the Softip. It's lousy at stimulating the tiny damage-resistant nerve fibers. Instead, it stimulates the larger damage-sensitive nerve fibers! So when a person's foot is 90% dead, it reports that the foot is dead (that is, can't feel 10 g). The doctor knows the foot is damaged when testing with a Softip monofilament, and the doctor then can take care of the foot."

-Curt Weinstein

Products

Home of the Softip monofilament nerve testers, including

10g

Common monofilaments are variably sharp from one application to another. Softip monofilament nerve testers are not sharp (re: patent). With Softip, sharpness cannot be used as an invalid cue in solving the touch-detection task.

Small-diameter nerve fibers respond to sharpness; these are the same neural fibers that are resistant to the most usual causes of neuropathy. Softip nerve testers are more sensitive to the large-axonal neuropathies (e.g., compression, diabetes, laceration, etc.) than common monofilaments.

Because of specific properties of various body parts, several sets of Softip monofilaments are available. For example, loss of protective sensation (LOPS) on the hand is often taken to be failure to report 4 g, whereas, for the foot, loss of protection sensation is failure to report 10g. Similarly, the exquisite sensitivity of the face suggests that lower-force Softip monofilaments can be used to detect and grade neuropathy.

About Us

Sidney Weinstein created the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments, a set of twenty nylon monofilaments, circa 1950. These monofilaments were created to test somatosensation via constant-force. Circa 1991, Dr. Sidney Weinstein, now working with Dr. Ronald Drozdenko and Mr. Curt Weinstein, created an improved method of monofilament testing an instrument with a procedure: Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test™ (WEST™ ).

WEST™ instrument advantages:

1. Calibrated for applied force. Unlike monofilaments calibrated by specifying diameter and length, Dr. Sidney Weinstein required that WEST™ nerve testers employ only monofilaments that apply the expected downward force. Connecticut Bioinstruments calibrates each monofilament for the force it applies. Calibration for applied force preserves validity and reinforces reliability.

2. Softip monofilaments: The patented Softip monofilament stands in contrast to the sharp edge of the common monofilament. Softip does not permit patients to use sharpness as an invalid cue in their force-detection task. Softip also slips less frequently from the test site, promoting reliability. Finally, the sensation created by a Softip monofilament is perceived more consistently in intensity and as a touch sensation (rather than pain). These properties promote a more reliable and more sensitive evaluation.

3. Long life: The WEST™ "5-on-1" patented shape creates a sturdy instrument. Connecticut Bioinstruments will repair your WEST™ at no charge up to one year from purchase without regard to cause!

Popular WEST™ nerve testers employ five Softip monofilaments on one cushioned handle. Using the recommended Rapid Threshold Procedure, one of eleven outcomes quickly results.

Popular Models

WEST-hand™ : Usual forces for the hand, ranging from 0.07 to 220g. Kit includes manual, interval marker, test form, and case.

WEST-foot™ : Good set of forces for the foot, range 0.5 to 220g. Kit includes manual, interval marker, test form, and case.

WEST-D™ : For the detection of neuropathy, forces range from 0.025 to 10g. The kit includes manual, interval marker, and case.