Method for evaluating a human joint

• US 5,891,060 A
• Filed: 10/13/1997
• Issued: 04/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kinek Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Kinex Iha Corporation
• Inventors: Triano, John J., McGregor, Marion
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Connor, Cary E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/949,232
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/592, 600/594, 600/595
• US Class Current: 600/595
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6823 Trunk, e.g., chest, back, abdomen, hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/702 Posture restraints

Abstract

A method of evaluating a joint of a human subject is described. The method combines the steps of determining biomechanical parameters of the joint as well as obtaining clinical self-evaluation information from the subject. The biomechanical parameters and the clinical information are combined in a predetermined manner to provide an evaluation of the joint.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a joint of a subject, comprising the steps of:

obtaining biomechanical parameters for said joint;

obtaining clinical evaluations of said joint; and

combining said biomechanical parameters and said clinical evaluations in accordance with a predetermined function.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

utilizing said predetermined function for evaluating said joint.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said evaluating comprises categorizing said subject into one of a plurality of predetermined categories.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said categories comprise a healthy joint and an unhealthy joint.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said categories comprise a category wherein said subject is identified as a symptom amplifier.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein:

said categories include a category wherein said subject is identified as a symptom amplifier.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said obtaining biomechanical parameters step comprises;

placing a first sensor on said subject at a first predetermined position proximate said joint;

placing a second sensor on said subject at a second predetermined position;

having said subject move in a first predetermined manner;

obtaining data from said first and second sensors during the time that said subject is moving;

determining first predetermined parameters from said data; and

utilizing said first predetermined parameters for said biomechanical parameters.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement by said subject in a predetermined plane of motion.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement by said subject through a predetermined range of motion.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises flexion and extension movements.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said predetermined plane of motion is the sagittal plane.

12. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises flexion and extension movements.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement in one plane selected from the vertical plane, a horizontal plane, a left oblique plane and a right oblique plane.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement in at least a second one of the remaining ones of said vertical plane, a horizontal plane, a left oblique plane and a right oblique plane.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

having said subject move in a first predetermined manner;

obtaining data from said first and second sensors during the time that said subject is moving;

determining first predetermined parameters from said data; and

utilizing said first predetermined parameters for said biomechanical parameters.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement by said subject in a predetermined plane of motion.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement by said subject through a predetermined range of motion.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises flexion and extension movements.

19. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises flexion and extension movements.

20. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement in one plane selected from the vertical plane, a horizontal plane, a left oblique plane and a right oblique plane.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20, wherein:

said predetermined manner comprises movement in at least a second one of the remaining ones of said vertical plane, a horizontal plane, a left oblique plane and a right oblique plane.

22. A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

said combining step comprises utilizing weighting factors derived from a data base of biomechanical parameters for a plurality of subjects.

23. A method in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

selecting said biomechanical parameters from groups of instantaneous helical axis parameters of position, speed, orientation and path.

24. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

at least one biomechanical parameter is selected from each of said groups.

25. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said clinical evaluations are self evaluations by said subject.

26. A method in accordance with claim 25, wherein:

said clinical evaluations are a standardized evaluation.

27. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said clinical evaluations are standardized self evaluations by said subject.

28. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said predetermined function is a statistical model.

29. A method in accordance with claim 28, wherein:

said statistical model is based on a data base of biomechanical parameters for a plurality of subjects.