Method and device for determining the anatomical condition of a human being or an animal and a strength training machine and a computer program which is saved to a memory medium

• US 7,232,416 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jacek Czernicki
• Original Assignee: Jacek Czernicki
• Inventors: Czernicki, Jacek
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOEKSTRA, JEFFREY GERBEN
• Application Number:
  US10/258,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20040054302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,259 Days
• Field of Search: 600/586, 600/587, 600/595, 600/585, 601/33, 601/23, 482/6, 482/8
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4509 Bone density determination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7232 involving compression of the physiological signal, e.g. to extend the signal recording period
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7257 using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/006 Detecting skeletal, cartilage or muscle noise A61B7/003 and A61B7/008 take precedence

Abstract

A method for determining the anatomic condition of components of the body of a human or of an animal is disclosed comprising producing a sound signal in a selected component of the body by at least one of passive and active movements of at least one joint. The method includes recording a sound signal at a point adjacent to the selected component of the body and evaluating the sound signal. An auxiliary device selected from the group consisting of a splint, an orthosis and an exercise machine is used which ensures a repeatable movement determined by the design of the auxiliary device. The sound signal caused by the movement is recorded and evaluated by a spectral analysis of frequencies and amplitudes contained in the sound signal. A comparison is made with reference patterns of the spectral analyses for the diagnosis of the anatomic condition. The result of a diagnosis is indicated as at least one of a print out and a screen display and wherein the joint investigated is schematically illustrated on the screen display, optionally with associated soft tissues, tendons and ligaments. The diagnosis is indicated visually, by at least one of coloring, lighting up of and flashing of damaged positions.

Claims

1. A method for determining the anatomic condition of components of the body of a human or of an animal having joints, comprising:

utilizing an auxiliary device selected from the group consisting of a brace, an orthosis, and an exercise machine to cause reproducible passive movements or reproducible active movements of at least one joint to produce a sound signal in a selected component of the body associated with said at least one joint;

recording said sound signal at a point adjacent to the selected component of the body;

evaluating said sound signal, by a spectral analysis of frequencies and amplitudes contained in said sound signal;

making a comparison of the outcome of said spectral analysis with a plurality of stored reference patterns for corresponding spectral analyses for the diagnosis of the anatomic condition; and

indicating the result of a diagnosis as a screen display in the form of an animation in which the illustrated joint executes movements which correspond to those of said reproducible movements of said at least one joint, with these movements being indicated either synchronously or asynchronously to the actual movement of said at least one joint, said at least one joint being schematically illustrated on the screen display and the diagnosis being indicated visually by highlighting of damaged positions on said animation.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the animation on the screen display is effected to be substantially slower than said passive or active movements of the joint, for the purpose of easier comprehension of the damage which is present.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device is used for the therapeutic treatment of the joint and the setting of the auxiliary device is effected with reference to the sound signals that are recorded.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device is designed for at least one of the rehabilitation of the joint, the training of the joint and the training of the muscles associated with the joint.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said highlighting comprises at least one of colouring of, lighting up of, and flashing of said damaged positions.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the result of the diagnosis is also printed out.