Joint monitor
First Claim
1. A dual-plane joint monitor for a body joint of first and second body members, the dual-plane joint monitor comprising:
- first and second arms for releasable attachment to the first and second body members, respectively, each arm having a respective joint end;
a gimbal assembly connecting the joint ends of the first and second arms for their relative rotation in two perpendicular planes;
first and second potentiometers, each at said joint end of a respective one of the first and second arms, for generating a signal indicative of an angular motion of the first and second arms in each of said two perpendicular planes; and
an electronic module receiving and processing the signals from said first and second potentiometers, and including means for receiving, from a remote computer, data establishing an allowed range of motion in each said plane, and means for determining whether said allowed range of motion in each plane has been exceeded.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual-plane joint monitor has a pair of arms for releasable attachment to body joint members and a gimbal assembly connecting the arms for their relative rotation in two perpendicular planes. Two potentiometers generate signals indicative of an angular motion of the arms. A miniaturized electronic module, worn by a patient, is pre-programmed from a remote computer (an allowed range of motion is pre-set), reads and processes signals from the potentiometers and determines whether the allowed range of motion is exceeded. The data stored in the electronic module are transmitted periodically to the remote computer for further analysis. If needed, the physician re-programs the electronic module from the computer at a medical facility while the patient is at home, or at another remote location.
47 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A dual-plane joint monitor for a body joint of first and second body members, the dual-plane joint monitor comprising:
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first and second arms for releasable attachment to the first and second body members, respectively, each arm having a respective joint end; a gimbal assembly connecting the joint ends of the first and second arms for their relative rotation in two perpendicular planes; first and second potentiometers, each at said joint end of a respective one of the first and second arms, for generating a signal indicative of an angular motion of the first and second arms in each of said two perpendicular planes; and an electronic module receiving and processing the signals from said first and second potentiometers, and including means for receiving, from a remote computer, data establishing an allowed range of motion in each said plane, and means for determining whether said allowed range of motion in each plane has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. In a joint monitor provided with an electronic module for monitoring joint movement, the joint monitor including a pair of arms and further including at least one sensing element for generating a signal indicative of a relative angular motion between the arms, the improvement which comprises a gimbal assembly in the joint monitor to allow for monitoring of joint movement in two directions.
Specification