Assessing the condition of a joint and preventing damage
First Claim
1. A method of generating a biomechanical model using a computer system for providing a therapy of a patient'"'"'s joint, the method comprising:
- accessing a reference database of biomechanical data associated with one or more joints of one or more subjects;
selecting biomechanical data from the reference database based on one or more individual characteristics of the patient;
deriving from electronic image data of the patient'"'"'s joint information comprising at least one of volume, area, thickness, shape, curvature, geometry, biochemical contents, signal intensity and relaxation time of normal and diseased articular cartilage of the patient'"'"'s joint; and
creating, in a computer system, a biomechanical model of the joint based on the information and the selected biomechanical data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly 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 affect 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.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method of generating a biomechanical model using a computer system for providing a therapy of a patient'"'"'s joint, the method comprising:
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accessing a reference database of biomechanical data associated with one or more joints of one or more subjects; selecting biomechanical data from the reference database based on one or more individual characteristics of the patient; deriving from electronic image data of the patient'"'"'s joint information comprising at least one of volume, area, thickness, shape, curvature, geometry, biochemical contents, signal intensity and relaxation time of normal and diseased articular cartilage of the patient'"'"'s joint; and creating, in a computer system, a biomechanical model of the joint based on the information and the selected biomechanical data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification