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US5533519A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for diagnosing joints

Assignee: Bioresearch Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-09
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Granted: 1996-07-09
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Expires: 2015-05-09
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Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for diagnosing joints based on sensed joint vibrations. Accelerometers disposed on the skin adjacent to the joint detect vibrational patterns during movement of the joint. These patterns are then processed by one processor to generate a predetermined set of data parameters descriptive of the vibration pattern. Also, the position and velocity of the joint during the vibration is recorded. This information from numerous patients with known joint conditions is used to train a adaptive interpreter, such as a neural network, to produce an output in response to these inputs which is indicative of the known joint condition. Once trained, the adaptive interpreter can then interpret this set of parameters for an unknown joint to generate a fast and reliable diagnosis. The result is a non-subjective joint disorder classification system that can be utilized by persons without particular expertise in analyzing joint vibrational patterns.

Inventors

  • 👤 John C. Radke
  • 👤 Gregory J. Ryan
  • 👤 Troy W. Hershberger

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 18:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/45; A61B5/4528; A61B5/103; A61B5/11; A61B5/1113; A61B5/1114; A61B5/1121; A61B5/1126; A61B5/1127; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7264; A61B5/7267; A61B7/00; A61B7/006; A61B5/4514; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/682; G; G16; G16H; G16H50/00; G16H50/70; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/92; Y10S128/925

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 78 words
A system for diagnosing an implantable orthopedic device within a body, said system comprising: a) sensor means for detecting a vibration pattern from the implantable orthopedic device; b) preprocessor means for producing a predetermined set of data parameters in response to said sensor means which are descriptive of the vibration pattern; and c) adaptive interpreter means for receiving said data parameters as input and providing an output which indicates at least one condition of the implantable orthopedic device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 78 words
A system for diagnosing an implantable orthopedic device within a body, said system comprising: a) sensor means for detecting a vibration pattern from the implantable orthopedic device; b) preprocessor means for producing a predetermined set of data parameters in response to said sensor means which are descriptive of the vibration pattern; and c) adaptive interpreter means for receiving said data parameters as input and providing an output which indicates at least one condition of the implantable orthopedic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said adaptive interpreter is a neural network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor means detects vibration patterns from the implantable orthopedic device during movement of a joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor means detects vibration patterns from the implantable orthopedic device during shifts in the load on said implantable orthopedic device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable orthopedic device is a joint prosthetic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising means for measuring the instantaneous position of the joint during movement of the joint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising means for measuring the velocity of the joint during movement of the joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The system of claim 5, further comprising means for determining the range of motion of said joint, said range of motion being received by said interpreter as input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said implantable orthopedic device is a fracture fixation device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said preprocessor means includes means for determining the frequency spectrum of said vibration pattern.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said preprocessing means includes means for determining an integral of the frequency spectrum of said vibration pattern.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 110 words
A method for classifying conditions in an implanted orthopedic device within a body, said method comprising the steps of: a) detecting a first set of vibration patterns from the implanted orthopedic device; b) using said first set of vibration patterns to train an adaptive interpreter to produce an output indicating particular possible conditions in response to particular vibration patterns; c) detecting a second set of vibration patterns from a subject implanted orthopedic device; and d) transmitting said second set of vibration patterns to said adaptive interpreter wherein said adaptive interpreter generates an output indicating the presence of one or more of said possible conditions in said subject implanted orthopedic device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 110 words
A method for classifying conditions in an implanted orthopedic device within a body, said method comprising the steps of: a) detecting a first set of vibration patterns from the implanted orthopedic device; b) using said first set of vibration patterns to train an adaptive interpreter to produce an output indicating particular possible conditions in response to particular vibration patterns; c) detecting a second set of vibration patterns from a subject implanted orthopedic device; and d) transmitting said second set of vibration patterns to said adaptive interpreter wherein said adaptive interpreter generates an output indicating the presence of one or more of said possible conditions in said subject implanted orthopedic device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of using said first set of vibration patterns to train an adaptive interpreter further comprises the steps of iteratively processing said first set of vibration patterns in a neural network until the output indicates one of the possible conditions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of detecting the frequency spectrum of the vibration pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of determining the integral of the frequency spectrum of the vibration pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 42 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said adaptive interpreter is a neural network and wherein the step of using said first set of vibration patterns to train an adaptive interpreter includes the step of employing back propagation to train the adaptive interpreter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said sensor means detects vibration patterns from the implantable orthopedic device during movement of a joint.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 104 words
A system for classifying conditions in a joint prosthesis within a body, the system comprising: a) sensor means for detecting a vibration pattern from the joint prosthesis; b) means for receiving non-vibrational diagnostic information relating to said joint prosthesis; c) preprocessor means for providing a predetermined set of data parameters in response to said sensor means and said means for receiving non-vibrational diagnostic information which are descriptive of the vibration pattern and said diagnostic information; and d) adaptive interpreter means for receiving said data parameters as input and producing an output which indicates at least one classification of the condition of said joint prosthesis.
Claim 21
Independent Claim 104 words
A system for classifying conditions in a joint prosthesis within a body, the system comprising: a) sensor means for detecting a vibration pattern from the joint prosthesis; b) means for receiving non-vibrational diagnostic information relating to said joint prosthesis; c) preprocessor means for providing a predetermined set of data parameters in response to said sensor means and said means for receiving non-vibrational diagnostic information which are descriptive of the vibration pattern and said diagnostic information; and d) adaptive interpreter means for receiving said data parameters as input and producing an output which indicates at least one classification of the condition of said joint prosthesis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 18 where said adaptive interpreter is a trainable interpreter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said adaptive interpreter is a neural network.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4836218A Cited
US4836218B1 Cited
US4922925A Cited
US5002065A Cited
US5165417A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-07-09 2000-01-08 2000-07-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-07-09 2004-01-08 2004-07-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-07-09 2008-01-08 2008-07-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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