System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure

• US 20060142670A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: DiSilvestro, Mark R., Dietz, Terry, Hastings, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/024,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20060142670A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4851 Prosthesis assessment or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30 Joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/488 Means for detecting or monitoring wear
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30953 using a remote computer network, e.g. Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of a patient, and

initiating communication with an orthopaedic care provider in response to the determining step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint and generating an output signal in response thereto, further comprising the step of:

generating a message to the patient in response to generation of the output signal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of generating the message comprises generating an audible message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of generating the message comprises generating a visual message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of steps taken by the patient.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the number of steps taken by the patient comprises monitoring output from a pedometer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining the activity level of the patient.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the activity level of the patient comprises monitoring output from a sensor external to the body of the patient.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of occasions that a predetermined flexion angle is obtained by the orthopaedic joint of the patient.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining the number of loading cycles of the orthopaedic joint of the patient.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises monitoring output from a sensor implanted into the body of the patient.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises monitoring output from a sensor external to the body of the patient.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the orthopaedic joint of the patient comprises a prosthetic orthopaedic joint comprising a sensor, and

the determining step comprises monitoring output from the sensor.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic joint of the patient comprises at least one natural joint component.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthopaedic joint of the patient comprises at least one prosthetic joint component.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiating step comprises generating an automated, device-initiated electronic communication.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the determining step comprises determining the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint and generating an output signal in response thereto, and

the initiating step comprises generating an automated, device-initiated electronic communication with an electronic device of the orthopaedic care provider in response to generation of the output signal.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining the distance between a first component and a second component of the orthopaedic joint of the patient.

19. A patient monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor,

a processor in communication with the sensor, and

a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

monitor output from the sensor to determine the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint of a patient, and

generate a message to the patient indicative of a need to initiate communication with an orthopaedic care provider if the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

20. The patient monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is implantable into the body of the patient.

21. The patient monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is configured to be externally worn by the patient.

22. The patient monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is secured to a prosthetic joint component.

23. A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure, the method comprising the steps of:

electronically querying a joint use measurement device to determine the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of a patient, and

generating an electronic output signal if the number of cycles of use of the orthopaedic joint of the patient exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the generating step comprises generating a phone message which is sent to an orthopaedic care provider.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the generating step comprises generating an electronic mail message which is sent to an orthopaedic care provider.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein:

the joint use measurement device comprises a sensor implanted into the body of the patient, and

the electronically querying step comprises determining output from the sensor.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein

the joint use measurement device is configured to be externally worn by the patient,

the joint use measurement device comprises a sensor, and the electronically querying step comprises determining output from the sensor.