Patent · US Expired

Probe, system and method for detecting cartilage degeneration

US5246013A · kind A · utility

65Cited by
2References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 7, 1992
Grant dateSep 21, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 7, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/4528
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surface probe is disclosed for use in detecting the degree of degeneration in mammalian tissue. The surface probe comprises in combination with each other surface probe means for applying to a surface of the mammalian tissue a force which affects an electrokinetic parameter indicative of the amount of charged specie involved in tissue degeneration and surface detection means for detecting the electrokinetic parameter at the same surface of the mammalian tissue. A method is disclosed for detecting the degree of degeneration in mammalian tissues. Further, a system for diagnosing degenerative changes in cartilage tissue is disclosed. The system discloses a waveform generator as a source of current connected with connectors for transmitting electrical current between the generator and the surface electrodes of the surface probe and a computer connected by connectors to surface electrodes and transmitting electrodes in the surface probe for controlling electromechanical input to the surface electrodes and processing electromechanical output from the transmitting electrodes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.