System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure

• US 8,702,799 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2011
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: DiSilvestro, Mark R., Dietz, Terry, Hastings, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pani, John
• Application Number:
  US13/300,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20120065550A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300, 600/595, 600/587, 702/160, 235/105, 377/24.2, 705/2, 623 1811- 2346
• US Class Current: 623/18.12
• 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 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1071 measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers A61B5/1123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4851 Prosthesis assessment or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30 Joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/488 Means for detecting or monitoring wear
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30953 using a remote computer network, e.g. Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation

Abstract

A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopedic procedure, the method comprising:

generating a data signal with a Hall effect switch embedded in a first joint component of an implanted joint prosthesis in response to a permanent magnet embedded in a second joint component of the implanted joint prosthesis;

generating a cycle count indicative of a number of occasions in which the first and second joint components are in a pre-determined position relative to one another;

transmitting the cycle count to a computing device external to the patient;

comparing the cycle count to a reference threshold; and

initiating communication with an orthopaedic care provider in response to the cycle count having a predetermined relationship with the reference threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating communication with the orthopaedic care provider comprises generating an e-mail to the orthopaedic care provider.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating communication with the orthopaedic care provider comprises initiating a telephone call to an office of the orthopaedic care provider.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a message on the computing device indicating a need to initiate communication with the orthopaedic care provider in response to the cycle count having the predetermined relationship with the reference threshold value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising electronically querying the implanted joint prosthesis with the computing device to obtain the cycle count.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the cycle count comprises transmitting the cycle count to the computing device in response to a query received from the computing device.