Methods and apparatus for joint laxity measurements
US6551258B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/6831
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An instrumented arthrometer includes displacement sensors configured to be attached to joint-reference locations. An applied force produces a joint displacement that is indicated by the displacement sensors. A force sensor measures the force applied to produce a corresponding displacement, and force/displacement data are stored on a hard disk or other computer-readable medium. A controller displays displacement/force data with comparison data based on a displacement/force data for the same joint prior to therapy or with a normal range of joint displacement/force data. In a specific example, the displacement sensors are electromagnetic sensors that measure displacement in three dimensions, and stiffness/displacement data is displayed in three dimensions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.