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 diseased or damaged joint of a patient, the method comprising:
- electronically receiving and processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient;
creating a three dimensional representation of at least a portion of a subchondral bone surface of the diseased or damaged joint from the image data;
transmitting the three dimensional representation to a site for analysis; and
generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional representation;
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.
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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 diseased or damaged joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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electronically receiving and processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional representation of at least a portion of a subchondral bone surface of the diseased or damaged joint from the image data; transmitting the three dimensional representation to a site for analysis; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional representation; 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)
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21. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a diseased or damaged joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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electronically receiving and processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional representation of at least a portion of a subchondral bone surface of the diseased or damaged joint from the image data; transmitting the three dimensional representation to a site for analysis; estimating at least one of a dimension, curvature, shape and surface of a region of cartilage based at least in part on the representation; and generating a physical model for use in the treatment of the joint that includes a surface portion that is derived from the representation and based on the estimation. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of a diseased or damaged knee joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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electronically receiving and processing image data of at least a portion of the knee joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional representation of at least a portion of an articular surface of the diseased or damaged knee joint from the image data; transmitting the three dimensional representation to a site for analysis; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional representation; wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the diseased or damaged knee joint.
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41. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of a diseased or damaged knee joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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electronically receiving and processing image data of at least a portion of the knee joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional representation of at least a portion of a tibial plateau of the diseased or damaged knee joint from the image data; transmitting the three dimensional representation to a site for analysis; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional representation; wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the portion of the knee joint that encompasses at least a portion of the tibial plateau of the knee joint.
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42. A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of a diseased or damaged knee joint of a patient, the method comprising:
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electronically receiving and processing image data of at least a portion of the diseased or damaged knee joint of the patient; creating a three dimensional representation of at least a portion of a femoral condyle of the diseased or damaged knee joint from the image data; transmitting the three dimensional representation to a site for analysis; and generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional representation; wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the portion of the knee joint that encompasses at least a portion of the femoral condyle of the diseased or damaged 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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generating a three-dimensional representation from electronic image data of at least a portion of the diseased or damaged articular surface of the joint of the patient; transmitting the three-dimensional representation to a site for analysis; deriving from the three-dimensional representation at least one or more articular dimensions of a subchondral bone surface of said joint; and generating a physical model including a surface portion based on the one or more articular dimensions of the subchondral bone surface of the joint; wherein the physical model is a device used in the treatment of a damaged or diseased articular surface of the joint of the patient.
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Specification