Assessing the condition of a joint and assessing cartilage loss
First Claim
1. A method of assessing cartilage damage or disease in a joint comprising cartilage and accompanying bone on either side of the joint, which method comprises (a) obtaining a three-dimensional map of cartilage of said joint in which said map demonstrates thickness or biochemical contents or relaxation time of both normal and damaged or diseased cartilage of said joint, and (b) determining at least one margin between damaged or diseased cartilage and normal cartilage in said three-dimensional map.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint and assessing cartilage loss, particularly in a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. The amount of cartilage tissue that has been lost, for example as a result of arthritis, can be estimated.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of assessing cartilage damage or disease in a joint comprising cartilage and accompanying bone on either side of the joint, which method comprises
(a) obtaining a three-dimensional map of cartilage of said joint in which said map demonstrates thickness or biochemical contents or relaxation time of both normal and damaged or diseased cartilage of said joint, and (b) determining at least one margin between damaged or diseased cartilage and normal cartilage in said three-dimensional map.
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10. A method of assessing cartilage disease or damage in a joint comprising cartilage and accompanying bone on either side of the joint, which method comprises:
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(a) obtaining a three-dimensional map of cartilage of said joint demonstrating thickness or biochemical contents or relaxation time of both normal and diseased or damaged cartilage of said joint, and (b) estimating thickness or area or volume of lost cartilage tissue relative to expected cartilage tissue in absence of disease or damage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification