Communication system for an instrumented orthopedic restraining device and method therefor

• US 5,929,782 A
• Filed: 02/15/1995
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IZEX Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John G. Stark
• Inventors: Stark, John G., Dempster, Shawn B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US08/389,680
• Time in Patent Office: 1,623 Days
• Field of Search: 606/102, 128/903, 128/904, 600/595, 600/587, 601/33, 601/34, 340/286.07, 340/517, 340/573, 340/586, 340/825.19, 340/870.01
• US Class Current: 340/870.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 Cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4519 Muscles A61B5/389, A61B5/224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4533 Ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6812 Orthopaedic devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/702 Posture restraints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0056 using electromagnetically-controlled friction, e.g. magnetic particle brakes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0057 using electromagnetic clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry

Abstract

A system and method for communicating an orthopedic parameters signal between a remote communication unit and a central site monitoring station is provided. The orthopedic signal includes a value representative of a total torque output by an individual over a period of time as measured by a personal orthopedic restraining device. The restraining device is restrains movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second body portion. Communication is accomplished by receiving the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote unit from the orthopedic device. Subsequently, the received signal is protected from potential transmission errors through encoding. The encoded signal is prepared for transmission through modulation. Finally, the modulated signal is transmitted over a communication channel from the remote unit to the central station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored. In addition, the operations of the central site monitoring station are described.

Claims

1. A two-way method of communicating an orthopedic parameters signal between a remote communication unit and a central site monitoring station, the orthopedic parameters signal at least including a value representative of a total torque output by an individual over a period of time as measured by a personal orthopedic restraining device, the restraining device restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) waiting for a particular action to occur selected from the group consisting of;

completing a prescribed exercise regimen, happening of a periodic reporting time, generating at least two different orthopedic parameters signals by the personal orthopedic device, obtaining a message from the individual for incorporation in to the orthopedic parameters signal for transmission to the central site monitoring station, and receiving a communication from the central site monitoring station which requests an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device;

(b) receiving, subsequent to the particular action occurring, the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote communication unit from the personal orthopedic restraining device;

(c) protecting the received orthopedic parameters signal from potential transmission errors by encoding the received orthopedic parameters signal;

(d) preparing the encoded orthopedic parameters signal for subsequent transmission by modulating the encoded orthopedic parameters signal;

(e) transmitting the modulated orthopedic parameters signal over a communication channel from the remote communication unit and to the central site monitoring station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored by the central site monitoring station;

(f) receiving the modulated orthopedic parameters signal at the central site monitoring station from over the communication channel;

(g) demodulating the received modulated orthopedic parameters signal;

(h) detecting an orthopedic parameters signal from demodulated orthopedic parameters signal;

(i) providing the detected orthopedic parameters signal to an external device such that subsequent processing of the orthopedic parameters signal can be performed;

(j) transmitting a communication from the central site monitoring station over the communication channel to the personal orthopedic restraining device, the communication is selected from the group consisting of;

a request for an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device, a request to resend a portion of an orthopedic parameters signal previously sent by the personal orthopedic restraining device, and confirmation that a previous orthopedic parameter signal was received; and

(k) receiving the communication at the remote communication unit from over the communication channel.

2. A two-way method of communicating an orthopedic parameters signal between a remote communication unit and a central site monitoring station, the orthopedic parameters signal at least including a value representative of a total torque output by an individual over a period of time as measured by a personal orthopedic restraining device, the restraining device restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) waiting for a particular action to occur selected from the group consisting of;

completing a prescribed exercise regimen, happening of a periodic reporting time, generating at least two different orthopedic parameters signals by the personal orthopedic device, obtaining a message from the individual for incorporation into the orthopedic parameters signal for transmission to the central site monitoring station, and receiving a communication from the central site monitoring station which requests an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device;

(b) receiving, subsequent to the particular action occurring, the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote communication unit from the personal orthopedic restraining device;

(c) protecting the received orthopedic parameters signal from potential transmission errors by encoding the received orthopedic parameters signal;

(d) preparing the encoded orthopedic parameters signal for subsequent transmission by modulating the encoded orthopedic parameters signal;

(e) transmitting the modulated orthopedic parameters signal over a communication channel from the remote communication unit and to the central site monitoring station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored by the central site monitoring station;

(f) receiving the modulated orthopedic parameters signal at the central site monitoring station from over the communication channel;

(g) demodulating the received modulated orthopedic parameters signal;

(h) detecting an orthopedic parameters signal from the demodulated orthopedic parameters signal;

(i) providing the detected orthopedic parameters signal to an external device such that subsequent processing of the orthopedic parameters signal can be performed;

(j) transmitting a communication from the central site monitoring station over the communication channel to the personal orthopedic restraining device, the communication is selected from the group consisting of;

a message to the individual wearing the personal orthopedic restraining device and the communication unit, a programming instruction for the personal orthopedic restraining device, a request for an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device, a request to resend a portion of an orthopedic parameter signal previously sent by the personal orthopedic restraining device, and confirmation that a previous orthopedic parameter signal was received;

(k) receiving the communication at the remote communication unit from over the communication channel; and

(l) providing the communication to the personal orthopedic restraining device, if appropriate.