Apparatus and method for the detection and quantification of joint and tissue inflammation
US7226426B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/107
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The apparatus and method for the detection and quantification of joint and tissue inflammation (100) of the present invention comprises a sensing component (102) for obtaining and collecting data indicative of the surface or dimensions of the joint or tissue. The sensing component (102) comprises various components for obtaining measurements of the cardinal signs of inflammation. Preferably the sensing component (102) includes a device for detecting swelling (104), a color analyzing device (108), a temperature measuring device (110), a pain or tenderness detection device (112), an archival and retrieval device (114), and a display device (116). In operation a patient is placed in position for examination of the joint or tissue area measurements are taken of one or more of the cardinal signs of inflammation at the joint or tissue area, the measurements are automatically stored in a archival storage and retrieval device (114), and from the measurements an inflammation score is derived which can be compared against a baseline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.