Non-invasive method for determining kinematic movement of the cervical spine

• US 5,203,346 A
• Filed: 08/02/1991
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kinek Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Whiplash Analysis Incorporated
• Inventors: Winters, Jack, Fuhr, Arlan W., Osterbauer, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PONTIUS, KEVIN LANE
• Application Number:
  US07/739,913
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 128/781, 128/782, 273/186.3, 273/186.4
• US Class Current: 600/594
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1122 of movement trajectories
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1124 Determining motor skills
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence

Abstract

A non-invasive method for determining kinematic movement of the cervical spine. The method compares biomechanical pathways of a human patient'"'"'s head free range of motion in space with either standardized biomechanical pathway data or previously determined biomechanical pathway data of the same person to determine the nature and extent of abnormal kinematic movement.

Claims

1. A non-invasive 3-D method for determining the kinematic function of the cervical spine of a human patient, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning recordable, detectable marker means onto the head of the patient;

b. using a target or instructional means to guide the patient through spatial head movements;

c. recording the positions of said marker means as the patient moves his head in response to said target or instructional means;

d. processing the recorded positions of the marker means by a 3-D analysis means to yield 3-D information of the marker means;

e. processing the 3-D information of the marker means by a mathematical rigid body analysis means to derive screw axis parameters of the patient'"'"'s head which define a 3-D instantaneous rotation of the patient'"'"'s head and, optionally, a finite axis of rotation of the patient'"'"'s head;

f. using the axis of rotation of said patient'"'"'s head as a measure of cervical kinematic function during head movements; and

g. comparing the derived head axis of rotation for said patient either with a head axis of rotation for predetermined, standardized data to ascertain any discrepancy or with a previously derived head axis of rotation for said patient to identify changes.

2. A non-invasive 3-D method for determining the kinematic function of the cervical spine of a human patient, comprising the steps of:

a. positioning recordable, detectable marker means onto the head of a patient;

b. using a target or instructional means to guide the patient through spatial head movements;

c. recording the positions of said marker means as the patient moves his head in response to the target or instructional means;

d. storing the recorded positions of the marker means for processing to derive a 3-D instantaneous and/or finite axis of rotation of the patient'"'"'s head.

e. processing the stored, recorded positions of the marker means by a mathematical rigid body analysis means to derive screw axis parameters of the patient'"'"'s head which defines a 3-D instantaneous rotation of the patient'"'"'s head and, optionally, a finite axis of rotation of the patient'"'"'s head;

f. using the axis of rotation of said patient'"'"'s head as a measure of cervical kinematic function during head movements; and

g. comparing the derived head axis of rotation for said patient either with a head axis of rotation for predetermined, standardized data to ascertain any discrepancy of with a previously derived head axis of rotation for said patient to identify changes.