Knee joint load measuring instrument and joint prosthesis
First Claim
1. A system for measuring forces applied to a joint prosthesis and adapted to be located between a first bone and a second bone that form an articulation joint, the system comprising:
- a first member adapted to be attached to an outer surface of the first bone;
a second member adapted to be attached to an outer surface of the second bone; and
a transducer interposed and engaging the first member and the second member and having a plurality of spaced-apart force sensors on the transducer for measuring forces exerted between the first member and the second member as the joint is articulated, wherein each force sensor provides a representative force output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is disclosed for measuring dynamically forces applied to a prosthetic joint. The system comprises a first support member attached to an outer surface of a first bone, a second support member attached to an outer surface of a second bone and a transducer secured to the second support member and engaging the first support member. The transducer measures forces applied to the first and second support member as the prosthetic joint is articulated and provides a representative force output signal. In the preferred embodiment, the transducer comprises a central body having plurality of integrally formed flexure members, each flexure member defined by a corresponding cavity in the body and defining a force responsive flexure section. A plate is secured to the transducer with support posts to localize forces onto the flexure members. Although the assembly forms components for implementation of a knee prosthetic, the present invention can be adapted to any particular joint of the body.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for measuring forces applied to a joint prosthesis and adapted to be located between a first bone and a second bone that form an articulation joint, the system comprising:
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a first member adapted to be attached to an outer surface of the first bone; a second member adapted to be attached to an outer surface of the second bone; and a transducer interposed and engaging the first member and the second member and having a plurality of spaced-apart force sensors on the transducer for measuring forces exerted between the first member and the second member as the joint is articulated, wherein each force sensor provides a representative force output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A joint prosthesis adapted to be located between a first bone and a second bone that form an articulation joint comprising:
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a first component adapted to be coupled to the first bone; a second component adapted to be coupled to the second bone; and transducer means interposed between a joint formed by the first component and the second component, the transducer means having a plurality of spaced-apart force sensors, each sensor providing a representative output signal for forces applied to the transducer means from the first component and the second component when the first bone is articulated with respect to the second bone. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for aligning a prosthetic joint between two bones of a patient, the method comprising:
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locating a force transducer between the two bones, the force transducer comprising a plurality of spaced-apart force sensors which are responsive to forces applied to the transducer, each force sensor providing an output signal representative of the forces applied; articulating the joint to obtain force measurement data; collecting the force measurement data; and performing curative steps based on the force measurement data to properly align the joint. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification