Apparatus for determining interskeletal distances
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining the distance between points on first and second skeletal bodies during movement of the first and second skeletal bodies relative to one another, comprising:
- a. a first aimer including a first tip and a first base, said first aimer including means for attaching the first tip and first base to the first skeletal body, said first base of said first aimer including a first tube permitting access to the first skeletal body;
b. a second aimer including a second tip and a second base, said second aimer including means for attaching the second tip and second base to the second skeletal body, said second base of said second aimer including a second tube permitting access to the second skeletal body;
c. an articulated linkage having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion of said articulated linkage being fixed to said first aimer, said second end portion of said articulated linkage being fixed to said second aimer;
d. means for determining angular motion in said articulated linkage correlated to movement between said first and second tips attached to the first and second skeletal bodies; and
e. means for transforming said articulated linkage angular motion into a measurement of distance between said first and second skeletal bodies.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for determining the distance between points on first and second skeletal bodies. The apparatus may continually achieve such distance determination during relative movement between the skeletal bodies. The apparatus includes first and second clamps or aimers each including a tip and base. Aimers are attached to the first and second skeletal bodies and are connected to an articulated linkage. The angular motion of the articulated linkages determines and correlates the movement between first and second aimers attached to the skeletal bodies. The signal produced by the articulated linkage is translated into a measurement of distance between the tips of the first and second skeletal bodies.
57 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for determining the distance between points on first and second skeletal bodies during movement of the first and second skeletal bodies relative to one another, comprising:
-
a. a first aimer including a first tip and a first base, said first aimer including means for attaching the first tip and first base to the first skeletal body, said first base of said first aimer including a first tube permitting access to the first skeletal body; b. a second aimer including a second tip and a second base, said second aimer including means for attaching the second tip and second base to the second skeletal body, said second base of said second aimer including a second tube permitting access to the second skeletal body; c. an articulated linkage having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion of said articulated linkage being fixed to said first aimer, said second end portion of said articulated linkage being fixed to said second aimer; d. means for determining angular motion in said articulated linkage correlated to movement between said first and second tips attached to the first and second skeletal bodies; and e. means for transforming said articulated linkage angular motion into a measurement of distance between said first and second skeletal bodies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of determining the distance between points on first and second skeletal bodies during movement of the first and second skeletal bodies relative to one another, comprising the steps of:
-
a. attaching a first aimer having a first tip and a first base to the first skeletal body; b. attaching a second aimer having a second tip and a second base to the second skeletal body; c. fixing an articulated linkage having first and second end portions to said first and second aimers; d. determining the angular motion in said articulated linkage correlated to movement between said first and second tips attached to said first and second skeletal bodies; e. transforming said, angular motion in said articulated linkage into a measurement of movement between said first and second tips; f. selectively repositioning said first and second aimers to minimize the change of distance between the tips during movement of the first and second skeletal bodies.
-
-
13. An apparatus for determining isometric positioning between first and second skeletal bodies during movement of the first and second skeletal bodies relative to one another, comprising:
-
a. a first aimer including a first tip and a first base, said first aimer including means for attaching the first tip and first base to the first skeletal body; b. a second aimer including a second tip and a second base, said second aimer including means for attaching the second tip and second base to the second skeletal body; c. an articulated linkage having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion of said articulated linkage being fixed to said first aimer, said second end portion of said articulated linkage being fixed to said second aimer; d. means for determining angular motion in said articulated linkage correlated to movement between said, first and second tips attached to said first and second skeletal bodies; e. means for transforming said articulated linkage angular motion into a measurement of distance between said first and second skeletal bodies; and means for selectively repositioning said first and second aimers to minimize the change of distance between the tips during movement of the first and second skeletal bodies. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification