SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING A WEARABLE DEVICE FOR MONITORING AN ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT AND REHABILITATION

• US 20170181698A1
• Filed: 02/01/2017
• Published: 06/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tracpatch Health Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Consensus Orthopedics, Inc.
• Inventors: Wiedenhoefer, Curt, Creel, Justin Anthony, Katerberg, Brian James, Howard, Joshua Dale
• Granted Patent: US 11,272,879 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2048 using an accelerometer or inertia sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/04 Constructional details of apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0035 adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• 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 5/112 : 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 5/1126 : using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 : Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4585 : Evaluating the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4851 : Prosthesis assessment or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6833 : Adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 : Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6878 : Bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/00 : Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels

Abstract

A system for monitoring a patient includes a sensor unit having a housing and sensors disposed in or around the housing; and a base having a shell and configured and arranged to be adhesively attached to skin of the patient. The sensors can be used to monitor physical therapy and rehabilitation of the patient. The sensor unit can provide information to a patient or clinician device to facilitate the monitoring. In some instances, the sensor unit and base are magnetically coupled together. In some instances, the base has an opening so a temperature sensor of the sensor unit can be exposed to the skin of the patient.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising:

a sensor unit comprising a housing and a plurality of sensors disposed in or around the housing; and

a base comprising a flexible shell and configured and arranged to be adhesively attached to skin of the patient, wherein the shell comprises flexible sidewalls forming a cavity configured and arranged to receive a portion of the sensor unit and grip a perimeter of the sensor unit to maintain engagement between the sensor unit and the base,

wherein one of the sensor unit or the base comprises a first magnet and another one of the sensor unit or the base comprises either a second magnet or a magnetically attracted material, wherein the system is further configured and arranged so that, when the sensor unit engages the base, the first magnet is magnetically coupled to the second magnet or magnetically attracted material to maintain engagement of the sensor unit and the base.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises the first magnet, the sensor unit further comprises a magnetic switch, and the system is configured and arranged so that, when sensor unit engages the base, the first magnet of the base actuates the magnetic switch of the sensor unit.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured arranged so that actuation of the magnetic switch places the sensor unit in an active mode.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that disengaging the sensor unit from the base actuates the magnetic switch of the sensor unit to place the sensor unit in an inactive mode.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises a tab extending from the shell, wherein the base is configured and arranged so that operation of the tab deforms the shell to weaken the grip of the sidewalls on the sensor unit and facilitate disengaging the sensor unit from the base.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a temperature sensor extending out of the housing of the sensor unit and the base defines an opening through the shell, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that when the sensor unit engages the base, the temperature sensor of the sensor unit extends into the opening so that a portion of the temperature sensor is exposed to the skin of the patient.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls of the shell of the base define a rim and the housing of the sensor unit defines a groove configured and arranged to receive the rim when the sensor unit engages the base.

8. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising:

a base configured and arranged to be adhesively attached to skin of the patient, wherein the base comprises a magnet; and

a sensor unit comprising a plurality of sensors and configured and arranged to engage the base so that the sensor unit is worn by the patient, wherein the sensor unit comprises a magnetic switch and further comprises either a magnet or a magnetically attracted material, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that, when the sensor unit engages the base, the magnet of the base and the magnet or magnetically attracted material are magnetically coupled to retain the sensor unit in contact with the base and the magnet of the base actuates the magnetic switch of the sensor unit.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the base further comprises a shell for receiving the sensor unit and a tab extending from the shell, wherein the base is configured and arranged so that operation of the tab deforms the shell and facilitates disengaging the sensor unit from the base.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is configured arranged so that actuation of the magnetic switch places the sensor unit in an active mode.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that disengaging the sensor unit from the base actuates the magnetic switch of the sensor unit to place the sensor unit in an inactive mode.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a temperature sensor.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the base defines an opening through the base and the sensor unit comprises a housing with the temperature sensor extending out of the housing, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that, when the sensor unit engages the base, the temperature sensor of the sensor unit extends into the opening so that a portion of the temperature sensor is exposed to the skin of the patient.

14. A system for monitoring a patient, the system comprising:

a base configured and arranged to be adhesively attached to skin of the patient, the base defining an opening through the base; and

a sensor unit comprising a housing and a plurality of sensors and configured and arranged to engage the base so that the sensor unit is worn by the patient, the plurality of sensors comprising a temperature sensor that extends out of the housing, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that, when the sensor unit engages the base, the temperature sensor of the sensor unit extends into the opening so that a portion of the temperature sensor is exposed to the skin of the patient.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of sensors further comprises an accelerometer or gyroscope.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein one of the sensor unit or the base comprises a first magnet and another one of the sensor unit or the base comprises either a second magnet or a magnetically attracted material.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the base comprises the first magnet, the sensor unit further comprises a magnetic switch, and the system is configured and arranged so that, when sensor unit engages the base, the first magnet of the base actuates the magnetic switch of the sensor unit.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the system is configured arranged so that actuation of the magnetic switch places the sensor unit in an active mode.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the system is configured and arranged so that disengaging the sensor unit from the base actuates the magnetic switch of the sensor unit to place the sensor unit in an inactive mode.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the base further comprises a shell for receiving the sensor unit and a tab extending from the shell, wherein the base is configured and arranged so that operation of the tab deforms the shell and facilitates disengaging the sensor unit from the base.