Patient monitoring apparatus and method for orthosis and other devices

• US 20040215111A1
• Filed: 04/23/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: MarcTec LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M., Beyers, Justin E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0102 specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0277 Elbow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/19 including biological sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/23 including biological sensors

Abstract

A monitoring system for monitoring a patient using a device, such as an orthosis system is provided. The system includes a monitor that can be incorporated or otherwise coupled to the device. The monitor can have a position sensor, a temperature sensor, and a device type sensor for monitoring the patient'"'"'s implementation of a protocol. The data obtained from the monitor can be remotely analyzed by a healthcare professional and the protocol can be adjusted accordingly.

Claims

1. An apparatus having an orthosis device and a monitor for monitoring said orthosis device, comprising:

said orthosis device including an electrical component with a component value that is unique to said orthosis device; and

said monitor including circuit means, electrically coupled to said electrical component, for identifying said component value,

whereby said identification of said component value identifies said orthosis device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrical component comprises a resistor and said circuit means includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting a voltage drop across said resistor to a digital signal uniquely identifying said orthosis device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller and a memory, said memory having a program for monitoring said orthosis device, said micro-controller being operable for executing said program and for selecting at least one parameter or program module based upon said digital signal.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said monitor is detactably mounted to said orthosis device.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said monitor includes a temperature sensor mounted on said orthosis device, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by a patient.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said orthosis device is used in physical therapy for a portion of a patient'"'"'s body having a first and second body portions connected at a joint, said orthosis device further including a first carriage member for receiving the first body portion and a second carriage member for receiving the second body portion;

means for moving said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member about an axis intermediate to said first and second carriage members.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said monitor includes position measuring means for determining the angle between said first carriage member and said second carriage member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first and second carriage members each include a cuff arm and a cuff for connecting said cuff arm to one of said body portions;

each said cuff being slidably mounted on one of said cuff arms; and

wherein said monitor includes a temperature sensor mounted on one of said cuffs, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn while being used by a patient.

9. An apparatus having an orthosis device and a monitor for monitoring said orthosis device, comprising:

said orthosis device including an electrical circuit having an electrical characteristic unique to said orthosis device; and

said monitor including circuit means, electrically and removably coupled to said electrical circuit, for detecting said electrical characteristic,

whereby detection of said electrical characteristic identifies said orthosis device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said electrical circuit includes a resistor of known and unique resistive value.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller and a memory, said memory having a program for monitoring the orthosis device, said micro-controller being operable for executing said program for selecting at least one parameter or program module based upon said detected electrical characteristic.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said monitor includes a temperature sensor mounted on said orthosis device, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by a patient.

13. An apparatus having an orthosis device for rehabilitation of a body portion of a patient and a monitor for monitoring said orthosis device, comprising:

said orthosis device including at least one carriage member adapted for receiving the body portion; and

said monitor including a temperature sensor, mounted on said orthosis device and orientated to engage the body portion, for generating a temperature signal,

whereby said temperature signal determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by the patient.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller and memory in electrical communications with said micro-controller and said micro-controller being operable for recording said temperature signal in said memory.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said monitor further includes means for transmitting said temperature signal from said monitor.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said orthosis device includes an electrical circuit having an electrical characteristic unique to said orthosis device;

said monitor includes circuit means, electrically and removably coupled to said electrical circuit, for detecting said electrical characteristic to identify said orthosis device and wherein said micro-controller is operable for storing and using said identification of said orthosis device to configure said monitor.

17. An apparatus having an orthosis device and a monitor for monitoring said orthosis device, comprising:

said orthosis device having a unique physical characteristic;

said monitor including sensor means for detecting said unique physical characteristic;

said monitor selecting a parameter or program based upon said unique physical characteristic;

said monitor includes a temperature sensor mounted in said orthosis device for generating a temperature signal, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn while being used by a patient.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller;

a memory in communications with said micro-controller; and

a data communications interface, electrically coupled to said microprocessor and said memory, for transmitting said temperature signal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said data communications interface is further adapted for receiving parameters and commands.

20. An orthosis system for rehabilitation of a portion of a patient'"'"'s body having a first and second body portions connected at a joint, said rehabilitation being in accordance with a stretching exercise protocol, comprising:

an orthosis device having a first carriage member adapted for receiving the first body portion and a second carriage member adapted for receiving the second body portion;

said second carriage member being movably connected to said first carriage member;

said orthosis device further including rotating means for moving said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member substantially about an axis intermediate to said first and second carriage members; and

said monitor including position sensor means for detecting when said rotating means stops said movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member, whereby said monitor detects that the patient is holding a stretch in accordance with the exercise protocol.

21. The orthosis system in accordance to claim 20, wherein said monitor includes timing means for generating a patient detectable signal indicating a predetermined time period has expired since said position sensor means detected said stopping of movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

22. The orthosis system in accordance to claim 21, wherein said patient detectable signal comprises a noise generated by a buzzer.

23. The orthosis system according to claim 21, wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller and a memory electrically coupled to said micro-controller, said micro-controller adapted for measuring and recording the extent of said movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

24. The orthosis system according to claim 21, wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller and a memory electrically coupled to said micro-controller, said micro-controller adapted for calculating and recording a measurement of the angular relationship of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

25. The orthosis system according to claim 22, wherein said micro-controller is operable for determining said angular relationship after said position sensor means has detected said stops in movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

26. The orthosis system according to claim 22, wherein said micro-controller is operable for counting the number of times said position sensor means has detected said stops in movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member and for notifying the patient an exercise session is over upon counting a predetermined number of said stops in movement.

27. The orthosis system according to claim 20, wherein said first carriage member includes a first cuff on said first cuff arm for connecting said first cuff arm to the first body portion;

said second carriage member including a second cuff on said second cuff arm for connecting said second cuff arm to the second body portion.

28. The orthosis system according to claim 20, wherein said orthosis device includes an electrical component with a component value that is unique to said orthosis device;

and said monitor including circuit means, electrically and removably coupled to said electrical component, for identifying said component value, whereby identification of said component value identifies said orthosis device.

29. The orthosis system according to claim 28, wherein said electrical component comprises a resistor and said circuit means includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting a voltage drop across said resistor to a digital signal uniquely identifying said orthosis device.

30. The orthosis system according to claim 29, wherein said micro-controller is operable for selecting at least one parameter or program module based upon said digital signal.

31. The orthosis system according to claim 20, wherein said monitor is detachably mounted to said orthosis device.

32. The orthosis system according to claim 24, wherein said monitor includes a temperature sensor mounted on said orthosis device for generating a temperature signal measurement, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by a patient.

33. The orthosis system according to claim 20, wherein said first and second carriage members each include a cuff arm and a cuff for connecting said cuff arm to one of said body portions;

and each said cuff being slidably mounted on one of said cuff arms; and

wherein said monitor includes a temperature sensor mounted on one of said cuffs, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by a patient.

34. The orthosis system according to claim 32, said orthosis system further comprising a computer having applications software for processing data from said monitor and wherein said monitor includes a micro-controller;

a memory in communications with said micro-controller; and

a data communications interface, electrically coupled to said microprocessor and said memory, for uploading said angular relationship measurement and said temperature signal measurement to said computer.

35. The orthosis system according to claim 34, wherein said data communications interface is further adapted receiving parameters and commands from said computer.