Patent EP0155857A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0155857A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Knee laxity evaluator and motion module/digitizer arrangement
Assignee: FARO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1985-01-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-01-29
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a knee laxity evaluator which consists of an instrumented seat (9), a restraint means (7) for restraining the thigh of a patient to the instrumented seat, a motion module (11) for measuring motion of the unrestrained part of the leg relative to the thigh of the patient, and processor means for analyzing outputs of the instrumented seat and the motion module to provide indications of applied force and relative motion. The invention also relates to a specific motion module/digitizer combination which can be used as a part of the knee laxity evaluator, or which can be used independently or in alternate systems. The invention also relates to a novel dynanometer for use in the knee laxity evaluator which includes a triple beam arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory A. Fraser
- 👤 Simon Raab
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/45; A61B5/4528; A61B5/11; A61B5/1107; A61B5/22; G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/004; G01B7/30; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/046; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6828; A61B5/6829; A61B5/70; A61B5/702; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A knee laxity evaluator (KLE) comprising : a) an instrumented seat for seating a patient; b) restraint means for restraining a portion of the patient to said instrumented seat whereby to measure forces applied to said patient at an unrestrained part thereof; c) motion module means for measuring the motion of said unrestrained part of said patient relative to the restrained part thereof; and d) processor means for analyzing outputs of said instrumented seat and said motion module means and for provising indications of applied force and motion of said unrestrained part relative to said restrained part.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A knee laxity evaluator (KLE) comprising : a) an instrumented seat for seating a patient; b) restraint means for restraining a portion of the patient to said instrumented seat whereby to measure forces applied to said patient at an unrestrained part thereof; c) motion module means for measuring the motion of said unrestrained part of said patient relative to the restrained part thereof; and d) processor means for analyzing outputs of said instrumented seat and said motion module means and for provising indications of applied force and motion of said unrestrained part relative to said restrained part.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A KLE as defined in claim 1 wherein said instrumented seat comprises a dynanometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A KLE as defined in claim 2 wherein said restraint means comprises strap means and wherein said restraint portion- comprises the thigh of the patient; said unrestrained portion comprising the lower leg of the restrained thigh or upper leg of the patient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A KLE as defined in claim 3 wherein said motion module means comprises a motion module/digitizer for determining the position in space of specific points of interest on the lower leg, and for measuring the position and motion of the specific points relative to the position of said thigh or upper leg.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A KLE as defined in claim 4 wherein said strap means comprises a plurality of pairs of off-set straps, wrapable around said thigh or upper leg, and means for fastening the pairs of straps to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
A KLE as defined in claim 5 wherein an end of said motion module means is attached to said lower leg by attachment means comprising; a strap member attachable around said lower leg in the area of the tibial crest thereof; rollers for aligning themselves on the bony contours of said tibial crest; malleolar cups mounted on the medial and lateral malleoli of said lower legs; and balls in said malleolar cups for aligning a respective one of said cups on a respective one of said medial and lateral malleoli.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A KLE as defined in claim 6 wherein said motion module means comprises means for measuring in three dimension space using six unique measurements relating to the six degrees of motion in three dimension space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A KLE as defined in claim 3 wherein said . motion module comprises an elongated member having a first end and a second end; said first end being connected to said instrumented seat; said second end being connected to the bottom leg of said restrained thigh of said patient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
311 words
A motion module/digitizer combination comprising : an elongated member having a first end and a second end and comprising a first link arm and a second link arm and means movably connecting said first link arm to said second link arm so as to permit translational motion between said first end and said second end, said means for connecting being disposed intermediate said first and second ends, said means also including first transducer means for measuring said translational motion; first mounting means at said first end for mounting said first end at a first point, body or coordinate system; second mounting means at said second end for mounting said second end at a second point or body; second transducer means at said first end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said first link arm relative to said first point or body; third transducer means at said second end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said second link arm relative to said second point or body; characterized in that a portion of said second link arm is detachable from the remainder of said second link arm and said second mounting means; means connectable to the remainder of said second link arm; whereby, the combination of said first link arm, the remainder of said second link arm, and said means connectable, can be used to measure the position in space of third, fourth, fifth ... nth points or combinations thereof; and whereby, when said remainder of said link arm is reattached to said portion of said second link arm and said second mounting means, measurements can be performed to determine the position or motion in space of said second point or body relative to the position of said first point, body or coordinate system or said third, fourth, fifth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
311 words
A motion module/digitizer combination comprising : an elongated member having a first end and a second end and comprising a first link arm and a second link arm and means movably connecting said first link arm to said second link arm so as to permit translational motion between said first end and said second end, said means for connecting being disposed intermediate said first and second ends, said means also including first transducer means for measuring said translational motion; first mounting means at said first end for mounting said first end at a first point, body or coordinate system; second mounting means at said second end for mounting said second end at a second point or body; second transducer means at said first end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said first link arm relative to said first point or body; third transducer means at said second end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said second link arm relative to said second point or body; characterized in that a portion of said second link arm is detachable from the remainder of said second link arm and said second mounting means; means connectable to the remainder of said second link arm; whereby, the combination of said first link arm, the remainder of said second link arm, and said means connectable, can be used to measure the position in space of third, fourth, fifth ... nth points or combinations thereof; and whereby, when said remainder of said link arm is reattached to said portion of said second link arm and said second mounting means, measurements can be performed to determine the position or motion in space of said second point or body relative to the position of said first point, body or coordinate system or said third, fourth, fifth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 9 wherein said first, second and third transducers comprise rotary transducers, the rotational axis of said rotary transducers being at right angles to the longitudinal axes of adjacent ones of said links, the longitudinal axes of said links running through said centers of rotation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A combination as defined in claim 10 and further including; a fourth rotary transducer disposed at said first end at right angles to said second transducer; the center of rotation of said fourth transducer being in line with the center of rotation of said second transducer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A combination as defined in claim 11 and including a fifth rotary transducer at said second end at right angles to said third transducer; the center of rotation of said fifth transducer being in line with the center of rotation of said third transducer; a sixth rotary transducer at right angles to said third transducer and said fifth transducer; the center of rotation of said sixth transducer and said third transducer being in line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination as defined in claim 12 wherein said first mounting means is attached to said fourth transducer and wherein said second mounting means is attached to said sixth transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as defined in claim 13 and including a data processor; conductive means leading from said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth transducers to said data processor; whereby signals from said transducers can be analyzed by said data processor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
441 words
A method for measuring the motion in three dimensional space, relative to the position of a first point, the position or motion of a second point, and of measuring the position or motion of the second point relative to third, fourth, fifth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof using a motion module/ digitizer arrangement which includes a motion module/digitizer combination comprising : an elongated member having a first end and a second end and comprising a first link arm and a second link arm and means movably connecting said first link arm to said second link arm so as to permit translational motion between said first end and said second end, said means for connecting being disposed intermediate said first and second ends, said means also including first transducer means for measuring said translational motion; first mounting means at said first end for mounting said first end at a first point, body or coodinate system; second mounting means at said second end for mounting said second end at a second point or body; second transducer means at said first end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said first link arm relative to said first point or body; third transducer means at said second end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said second link arm relative to said second point or body; characterized in that a portion of said second link arm is detachable from the remainder of said second link arm and said second mounting means; means connectable to the remainder of said second link arm; - whereby, the combination of said first link arm, the remainder of said second link arm, and said means ccnnec- table, can be used to measure the position in space of third, fourth, fifth ... nth points or combinations thereof; and whereby, when said remainder of said link arm is reattached to said portion of said second link arm and said second mounting means, measurements can be performed to determine the position or motion in space of said second point or body relative to the position of said first point or body or said third, fourth, fifth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof; said method comprising the steps of : I) disconnecting the link arm to locate the positions in space of the third, fourth ...nth point or combinations thereof; 2) reconnecting said link arm to thereby monitor the movement of said second point or body relative to said first point or body and relative to said third, fourth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
441 words
A method for measuring the motion in three dimensional space, relative to the position of a first point, the position or motion of a second point, and of measuring the position or motion of the second point relative to third, fourth, fifth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof using a motion module/ digitizer arrangement which includes a motion module/digitizer combination comprising : an elongated member having a first end and a second end and comprising a first link arm and a second link arm and means movably connecting said first link arm to said second link arm so as to permit translational motion between said first end and said second end, said means for connecting being disposed intermediate said first and second ends, said means also including first transducer means for measuring said translational motion; first mounting means at said first end for mounting said first end at a first point, body or coodinate system; second mounting means at said second end for mounting said second end at a second point or body; second transducer means at said first end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said first link arm relative to said first point or body; third transducer means at said second end for measuring three dimensional rotational motion of said second link arm relative to said second point or body; characterized in that a portion of said second link arm is detachable from the remainder of said second link arm and said second mounting means; means connectable to the remainder of said second link arm; - whereby, the combination of said first link arm, the remainder of said second link arm, and said means ccnnec- table, can be used to measure the position in space of third, fourth, fifth ... nth points or combinations thereof; and whereby, when said remainder of said link arm is reattached to said portion of said second link arm and said second mounting means, measurements can be performed to determine the position or motion in space of said second point or body relative to the position of said first point or body or said third, fourth, fifth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof; said method comprising the steps of : I) disconnecting the link arm to locate the positions in space of the third, fourth ...nth point or combinations thereof; 2) reconnecting said link arm to thereby monitor the movement of said second point or body relative to said first point or body and relative to said third, fourth ... nth points, or positions of the second body, or combinations thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
90 words
A dynanometer for determining the magnitude and direction of an applied force; comprising : three spaced beams; support means on each of said beams; platform means, disposed on and supported by said support means, for receiving and being deflected by said applied force; whereby deflection of said platform is transmitted to said beams to cause deflection of said beams; and means for measuring the deflection of said beams in two directions thereof; wherein said beams are arranged such that no two redundant directions of deflection of said beams are permissible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
A dynanometer for determining the magnitude and direction of an applied force; comprising : three spaced beams; support means on each of said beams; platform means, disposed on and supported by said support means, for receiving and being deflected by said applied force; whereby deflection of said platform is transmitted to said beams to cause deflection of said beams; and means for measuring the deflection of said beams in two directions thereof; wherein said beams are arranged such that no two redundant directions of deflection of said beams are permissible.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
A dynanometer as defined in claim 16 wherein each said beam comprises; a vertical support member; a horizontal deflection member; spherical/linear bearings interposed between said vertical and horizontal members; said platform being disposed on the top surfaces of said vertical members; said means for measuring the deflection of said horizontal members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A dynanometer as defined in claim 17 wherein the means for measuring deflection comprises, for each said beam, a first measuring means for measuring the horizontal deflection of each beam; and a second means for measuring the vertical deflection of each said beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A dynanometer as defined in claim 18 wherein the beams are arranged such that the longitudinal axis of each horizontal deflection member is the perpendicular bisector of a respective side of an equilateral triangle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
A dynanometer as defined in claim 19 and including a four walled square support frame; one of said beams being mounted adjacent the center of one of the walls of the support frame; the other two of the beams being mounted, respectively, adjacent supporting corners of said support frame opposing said one wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A dynanometer as defined in claim 20 wherein said means for measuring are selected from conventional displacement transducers comprising capacitance gauge, linear variable differential transformer, hall effect detector, reflected/ interrupted light intensity or rectilinear potentiometer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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