Patient monitoring apparatus and method for orthosis and other devices

• US 7,182,738 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2003
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bonutti Research Incorporated (Bonutti IP LLC)
• Original Assignee: MarcTec LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M., Beyers, Justin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Quang D.
• Application Number:
  US10/421,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20040215111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 601/5, 601/23, 601/33, 601/34, 601/35, 602/5, 602/16, 602/19, 602/23, 602/26, 600/547, 600/595, 607/48, 607/49, 482/8, 482/902, 733/790.1
• US Class Current: 601/5
• 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 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• 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 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0102 specially adapted for correcting deformities of the limbs or for supporting them; Ortheses, e.g. with articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/0277 Elbow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1723 using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood-sugar, pressure measurement of body parameters A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/19 including biological sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 601/23 including biological sensors

Abstract

A monitoring system for monitoring a patient using a device, such as an orthosis system is provided. The system includes a monitor that can be incorporated or otherwise coupled to the device. The monitor can have a position sensor, a temperature sensor, and a device type sensor for monitoring the patient'"'"'s implementation of a protocol. The data obtained from the monitor can be remotely analyzed by a healthcare professional and the protocol can be adjusted accordingly.

Claims

1. A physical therapy apparatus comprising:

an orthosis device including a first carriage member, a second carriage member pivotally connected to the first carriage member, a control assembly operably connected to the first and second carriage members such that an operation of the control assembly rotates the first carriage member with respect to the second carriage member about an axis intermediate to the first and second carriage members, and an electrical identification;

a monitor system including a memory having a plurality of control programs for directing operation of different orthodic devices stored therein and for storing patient use data, and a micro-controller being operable for executing at least one of the control programs and for monitoring use of the orthosis device by a patient, wherein the micro-controller utilizes the electrical identification to identify the orthosis device and select the at least one control program; and

a plurality of sensors operable connected to the monitoring system and including device sensors, for monitoring the orthosis device, and patient sensors, for monitoring a patient,

a computer having applications software for processing patient use data from the memory, wherein the monitoring system includes a data communications interface to electrically coupled to the micro-controller and the memory to the computer,

wherein the monitor system is operable between a first mode, data transfer mode, and a second mode, operations mode, in the first mode operating parameters are downloadable from the computer to the memory and the patient use data is uploadable from the memory to the computer, in the second mode the operation of the orthosis device is controllable by the monitor system based on the operating parameters and the use of the orthosis device is monitorable by the monitor system and storable in the memory for downloading at a later date.

2. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first carriage member includes a first cuff on a first cuff arm for connecting said first cuff aim to a first body portion;

said second carriage member includes a second cuff on a second cuff arm for connecting said second cuff arm to a second body portion.

3. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrical ID comprises a resistor and the monitoring system includes an analog-to-digital converter for converting a voltage drop across said resistor to a digital signal uniquely identifying said orthosis device.

4. The physical therapy apparatus to claim 3 wherein said micro-controller is operable for selecting the at least one computer program based upon said digital signal.

5. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said monitor system is detachably mounted to said orthosis device.

6. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the patient sensors includes a temperature sensor mounted on said orthosis device for generating a temperature signal measurement, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by a patient.

7. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second carriage members each include a cuff arm and a cuff for connecting said cuff arm to one of a first or second body portion of the patient;

and each said cuff being slidably mounted on one of said cuff arms; and

wherein the patient sensors include a temperature sensor mounted on one of said cuffs, whereby said temperature sensor determines whether said orthosis device is being worn by a patient.

8. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data communications interface is further adapted receiving parameters and commands from said computer.

9. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device sensors include a position sensor for detecting when a rotational movement of the first carriage member relative to the second carriage member has stopped, whereby said monitor system detects that the patient is holding a stretch in accordance with the operating parameter.

10. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said monitor system includes a timing device for generating a patient detectable signal indicating a predetermined time period has expired since said position sensor means detected said stopping of movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

11. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said patient detectable signal comprises a noise generated by a buzzer.

12. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said micro-controller is operable for counting the number of times said position sensor has detected said stops in movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member and for notifying the patient an exercise session is over upon counting a predetermined number of said stops in movement.

13. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the micro-controller and the memory are adapted for measuring and recording the extent of said movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

14. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the micro-controller and the memory are adapted for calculating and recording a measurement an angular relationship of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.

15. The physical therapy apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said micro-controller is operable for determining said angular relationship after said position sensor has detected said stops in movement of said first carriage member relative to said second carriage member.