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Body joint position monitoring system

  • US 4,660,829 A
  • Filed: 07/08/1985
  • Issued: 04/28/1987
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1985
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring joint position, comprising:

  • a pair of first and second members, each one of the members being adapted to be attached to the body in a spaced-apart manner;

    position sensing means for generating an electrical signal indicative of a deviation in first member position relative to the second member from a desired relative position;

    said position sensing means including a rigid extension element having a first end and a second end, attaching means for attaching the first end of the extension element to the first member so that the second end extends in substantially fixed alignment with the first member to a position along the second member corresponding to a specified relative position of the first and second body portions, and sensor means for sensing the position of the second end;

    said sensor means including light generating means for generating light along a series of spaced apart light paths along the second member corresponding to a series of relative member positions, blocking means for causing the second end of the extension element to block a light path corresponding to a specified one of the series of relative member positions when the first and second rembers are in the specified relative member position, and light detector means responsive to a light path being blocked for generating a corresponding electrical signal; and

    circuit means responsive to the electrical signal for generating a corresponding output signal to enable a user to correct positionally the relative positioning of the first and second body portions.

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