US4836218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for the acoustic detection and analysis of joint disorders
Assignee: BERTOLAMI CHARLES
•
Filing: 1988-03-04
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Granted: 1989-06-06
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Expires: 2008-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A noninvasive method and apparatus is presented for detecting and analyzing joint disorders utilizing an acoustic signal processing technique. The diagnostic procedure and apparatus graphically correlates joint induced sound patterns relative to the joint position in time and space thereby providing a quantitative approach for the diagnosis of specific joint disorders. The present invention, termed Arthrophonometry, is particularly well suited for differential diagnosis of the temporomandibular (TMJ) joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Gay
- 👤 Charles N. Bertolami
- 👤 David J. Solonche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B7/00; A61B7/006; G; G01; G01H; G01H1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A procedure for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, including the steps of: detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying mandibular bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; and correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement whereby joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A procedure for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, including the steps of: detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying mandibular bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; and correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement whereby joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnositc procedure of claim 1 wherein said correlating step comprises graphical correlation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic procedure of claim 2 wherein said graphical correlation includes a computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A procedure for diagnosing arthrodial, spheroid and ginglymo-arthrodial bone joint disorders, including the steps of: detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the bone joint and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and correlating the bone joint propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement whereby bone joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A procedure for diagnosing arthrodial, spheroid and ginglymo-arthrodial bone joint disorders, including the steps of: detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the bone joint and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and correlating the bone joint propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement whereby bone joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic procedure of claim 4 wherein said correlating step comprises graphical correlation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic procedure of claim 5 wherein said graphical correlation includes a computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
And apparatus for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders comprising: means for detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; means for detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying mandibular bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement whereby joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
84 words
And apparatus for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders comprising: means for detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; means for detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying mandibular bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement whereby joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 7 including: means for amplifying said detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 8 including: means for filtering said amplified detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 7 including: means for amplifying said detected time varying mandibular bone displacement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 10 including: means for integrating said amplified detected time varying mandibular bone displacement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 7 wherein said three dimensions comprise an X, Y and Z plane and including: means for detecting time varying mandibular displacement in either an X, Y or Z plane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 12 including: means for switching between an X, Y or Z plane during detecting of time varying mandibular bone displacement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 7 wherein said correlating means comprises graphical correlation means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 14 wherein said graphical correlation means includes a computer.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for diagnosing arthroidal, speroid and gingylmo-arthrodial bone disorders comprising: means for detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the joint and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; means for detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating bone joint propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement whereby bone joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for diagnosing arthroidal, speroid and gingylmo-arthrodial bone disorders comprising: means for detecting in timed sequence sound patterns propagated at the joint and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; means for detecting in corresponding timed sequence time varying bone displacement in three dimensions with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating bone joint propagated sound patterns and the occurrence and duration thereof to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement whereby bone joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 16 including: means for amplifying said detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 17 including: means for filtering said amplified detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 16 including: means for amplifying said detected time varying bone displacement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 19 including: means for integrating said amplified detected time varying bone displacement.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 16 wherein said three dimensions comprise an X, Y and Z plane and including: means for detecting time varying bone displacement in either an X, Y or Z plane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 21 including: means for switching between an X, Y or Z plane during detecting of time varying bone displacement.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 16 wherein said correlating means comprises graphical correlation means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 23 wherein said graphical correlation means includes a computer.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for diagnosing bone joint disorders comprising: means for detecting the presence or absence of sound patterns propagated at a juncture or joint between bones and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; means for detecting time varying bone displacement with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating the bone joint propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus for diagnosing bone joint disorders comprising: means for detecting the presence or absence of sound patterns propagated at a juncture or joint between bones and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; means for detecting time varying bone displacement with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating the bone joint propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 25 including: means for amplifying said detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 26 including: means for filtering said amplified detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 25 including: means for amplifying said detected time varying bone displacement.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 28 including: means for integrating said amplified detected time varying bone displacement.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 25 including: means for detecting time varying bone displacement in either an X, Y or Z plane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 30 including: means for switching between an X, Y or Z plane during detecting of time varying bone displacement.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 25 wherein said correlating means comprises graphical correllation means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 32 wherein said graphical correllation means includes a computer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 25 wherein said detecting is of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diagnostic apparatus of claim 34 wherein said means for detecting time varying bone displacement is of the mandibular bone and wherein; said corresponding bone movement is mandibular bone movement.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders comprising: means for detecting the presence or absence of sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; means for detecting time varying mandibular bone displacement with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders comprising: means for detecting the presence or absence of sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; means for detecting time varying mandibular bone displacement with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; and means for correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for diagnosing bone joint disorders comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of absence of sound patterns propagated at a juncture or joint between bones and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; detecting time varying bone displacement with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and correlating the bone joint propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for diagnosing bone joint disorders comprising the steps of: detecting the presence of absence of sound patterns propagated at a juncture or joint between bones and defined as bone joint propagated sound patterns; detecting time varying bone displacement with respect to the detected bone joint propagated sound patterns; and correlating the bone joint propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic method of claim 37 including: amplifying said detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic method of claim 38 including: filtering said amplified detected joint propagated sound pattern.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The diagnostic method of claim 37 including: amplifying said detected time varying bone displacement.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The diagnostic method of claim 40 including: integrating said amplified detected time varying bone displacement.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The diagnostic method of claim 37 including: detecting time varying bone displacement in either an X, Y or Z plane.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The diagnostic method of claim 42 including: switching between an X, Y or Z plane during detecting of time varying bone displacement.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic method of claim 37 wherein said correlating step comprises graphical correllation.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
13 words
The diagnostic method of claim 44 wherein said graphical correllation includes a computer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
16 words
The diagnostic method of claim 37 wherein said detecting step is of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The diagnostic method of claim 46 wherein said step of detecting time varying bone displacement is of the mandibular bone and wherein; said corresponding bone movement is mandibular bone movement.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders comprising: detecting the presence or absence of sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; detecting time varying mandibular bone displacement with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; And correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for diagnosing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders comprising: detecting the presence or absence of sound patterns propagated at the temporomandibular joint and defined as TMJ propagated sound patterns; detecting time varying mandibular bone displacement with respect to the detected TMJ propagated sound patterns; And correlating the TMJ propagated sound patterns to the duration and displacement of the corresponding mandibular bone movement wherein joint disorders are diagnosed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-06-05 | 1992-12-05 | 1993-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-05 | 1996-12-05 | 1997-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-05 | 2000-12-05 | 2001-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |