Method for identifying human joint characteristics

• US 10,638,970 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2018
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strive Orthopedics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Strive Orthopedics, Inc.
• Inventors: Obma, Padraic R., Fraenkel, Visnu D., Hansen, Wayne M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kremer, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Foley, Avery M
• Application Number:
  US15/916,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20180256091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1079 using optical or photographic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/112 Gait analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4887 Locating particular structures in or on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6813 Specially adapted to be attached to a specific body part A61B5/6802 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 30/40 for processing medical images, e.g. editing

Abstract

A method for identifying human joint characteristics, the method including the steps of: placing an item with a known characteristic near the joint, using a mobile imaging device, taking at least one image of the joint, and using the image and the known characteristic of the item to determine a joint characteristic of the joint.

Claims

1. A method for identifying human joint characteristics, comprising:

adhering a plurality of sensors to skin of a patient near a joint, wherein;

each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a known characteristic;

a first sensor of the plurality of sensors is placed on a first side of the joint;

a second sensor of the plurality of sensors is placed on a second side of the joint opposite the first sensor; and

the plurality of sensors are movable with respect to the joint;

capturing, by a handheld device, an image of the joint and the plurality of sensors;

determining an amount of soft tissue around the joint, wherein;

the amount of soft tissue is determined based on the captured image of the joint; and

a shape of the soft tissue is determined;

determining a bone centerline, wherein;

the bone centerline is determined based on a plurality of centerlines, wherein;

each centerline of the plurality of centerlines is determined on one side of the joint; and

each centerline is determined based on the captured image including the plurality of sensors having a known characteristic and on the determined amount of soft tissue around the joint;

capturing, by the plurality of sensors, a plurality of measurements of the joint, wherein the plurality of measurements comprises;

range of motion measurements, wherein the range of motion measurements further comprises;

flexion;

extension;

rotation;

varus;

valgus;

joint translation;

internal rotation; and

external rotation;

ligament laxity testing;

gait assessment; and

strength testing;

transmitting the plurality of measurements to the handheld device;

adjusting, based on the captured plurality of measurements of the joint, the determined bone centerline and the determined amount of soft tissue; and

determining, based on the determined bone centerline and the plurality of measurements, a joint alignment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the bone centerline further comprises:

determining a width of tissue around the joint;

determining information about the patient, wherein the information includes age, gender, and activity level of the patient;

calculating the centerline of the bones around the joint; and

storing the determined bone centerline within a sensor of the plurality of sensors.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the activity level of the patient further comprises:

recreational activity; and

work-related activity.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the captured measurements and the determined bone centerline to a robotic surgical assistance device, wherein:

the transmitted measurements of the soft tissue and the determined bone centerline aid in operation of the robotic surgical assistance device; and

the transmitted measurements, the determined bone centerline, and information including a patient activity level enhance and adjust an initial surgical plan of the robotic surgical assistance device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a portion that forms a shallow inverted U shape with a pair of opposing outwardly and downwardly-extending wings; and

adhering a sensor of the plurality of sensors to the skin of the patient further comprises placing the sensor such that that an opening between the wings is positioned closest to and facing the joint.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising virtually placing the plurality of sensors on a bone of the joint, wherein:

virtual placement of the plurality of the sensors on the bone is based on the captured plurality of measurements, the determined bone centerline, and the determined amount of soft tissue, such that soft tissue interference is minimized; and

the sensors remain adhered to the skin of the patient.