Assessing the condition of a joint and devising treatment
First Claim
1. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a joint of a patient, the method comprising:
- processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient;
creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the joint from the image data; and
generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of the cartilage surface of the joint;
wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the joint.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly in a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the effect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information on thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy. Planning therapy may include generating one or more physical models.
676 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the joint from the image data; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of the cartilage surface of the joint; wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient; estimating a surface of a region of cartilage based at least in part on a three dimensional representation of a subchondral bone surface, wherein the three dimensional representation is created from the image data; and generating a physical model for use in the treatment of the joint that includes a surface portion that is derived from the estimated cartilage surface. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of a knee joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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processing image data of at least a portion of the knee joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the knee joint from the image data; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional surface representation;
wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the knee joint.
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43. A method of devising a physical model for treating a damaged or diseased articular surface of a patient'"'"'s joint, the method comprising:
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processing image data of at least a portion of the patient'"'"'s joint; generating a three dimensional representation from the image data of at least a portion of an articular surface of the patient'"'"'s joint; deriving from the three dimensional representation one or more measurements selected from an articular dimension, curvature, shape and thickness of a cartilage surface of said joint; and generating a physical model including a surface portion based on at least one of the measurements;
wherein the physical model is a device used in the treatment of the damaged or diseased articular surface of the joint of the patient.
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Specification