Instrumented orthopedic restraining device and method of use
First Claim
1. A personal orthopedic restraining device for use to restrain flexibly connected body portions of an individual, the personal orthopedic device comprising:
- (a) restraining means for restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion of an individual relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual;
(b) stress sensing means, operatively attached to the restraining means, for providing an output signal representative of a sensed stress in the restraining means;
(c) memory storage device; and
(d) control means, operably coupled to the stress sensing means and the memory storage device, for processing the stress sensing means output signal according to a previously programmed routine to obtain a routine result, the control means storing the routine result in the memory storage device such that the routine result can be used by the personal orthopedic restraining device to monitor forces between flexibly connected body portions of an individual.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A personal orthopedic restraining device for use to restrain flexibly connected body portions of an individual and a method of use are provided. The personal orthopedic restraining device includes a restraining mechanism which restrains movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second flexibly connected body portion. A stress sensor is operatively attached to the restraining mechanism to provide an output signal representative of a sensed stress in the restraining mechanism. A memory storage device is also included. A controller is operatively coupled to the stress sensor and the memory storage device to process the stress sensor output signal according to a previously programmed routine to obtain a routine result. The controller stores the routine result in the memory storage device such that the routine result can be used by the personal orthopedic restraining device to monitor movement of flexibly connected body portions.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A personal orthopedic restraining device for use to restrain flexibly connected body portions of an individual, the personal orthopedic device comprising:
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(a) restraining means for restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion of an individual relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual; (b) stress sensing means, operatively attached to the restraining means, for providing an output signal representative of a sensed stress in the restraining means; (c) memory storage device; and (d) control means, operably coupled to the stress sensing means and the memory storage device, for processing the stress sensing means output signal according to a previously programmed routine to obtain a routine result, the control means storing the routine result in the memory storage device such that the routine result can be used by the personal orthopedic restraining device to monitor forces between flexibly connected body portions of an individual. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A personal orthopedic restraining device for use to restrain flexibly connected body portions of an individual, the personal orthopedic restraining device comprising:
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(a) restraining means for restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion of an individual relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual; (b) stress sensing means, operatively attached to the restraining means, for providing an output signal representative of a sensed stress in the restraining means; (c) memory storage device; (d) output port means for communicating a routine result from the memory storage device to a remote device external to the personal orthopedic restraining device; and (e) control means, operatively coupled to the stress sensing means, the memory storage device, and the output port means, for processing the stress sensing means output signal according to a previously programmed routine to obtain a routine result and to communicate the routine result to the remote device, the control means storing the routine result in the memory storage device such that the routine result can be used by the personal orthopedic restraining device to monitor forces between flexibly connected body portions of an individual. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A method of using a personal orthopedic restraining device which restrains flexibly connected body portions of an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an orthopedic restraining device, the orthopedic restraining device including;
restraining means for restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion of an individual relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual, stress sensing means, operatively attached to the restraining means, for providing an output signal representative of a sensed stress in the restraining means, memory storage device, output port means for communicating a routine result from the memory storage device to a remote device external to the personal orthopedic restraining device, and control means, operatively coupled to the stress sensing means, the memory storage device, and the output port means, for processing the stress sensing means output signal according to a previously programmed routine to obtain a routine result, the control means storing the routine result in the memory storage device; and(b) communicating the routine result from the memory storage device to the remote device via the output port such that analysis of the routine result can be conducted at a later time.
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Specification