Integrated system for knee muscle analysis and rehabilitation

Abstract

This invention unveils an advanced integrated system designed for knee muscle analysis and rehabilitation. It features a specialized device for accurately measuring both rotational and lateral knee angles, with the capability to seamlessly record this data into sophisticated software. This software enables comprehensive analysis of the knee's condition. Furthermore, the system integrates tensor devices tailored for strengthening weakened knee muscles, enhancing the rehabilitation process. Additionally, it includes an innovative notification system within the software, alerting users at the commencement and conclusion of tensor-assisted muscle strengthening sessions. This holistic approach combines cutting-edge hardware and software, providing a robust solution for knee rehabilitation and muscle fortification.

Description

Integrated System for Knee Muscle Analysis and RehabilitationTechnical Field

[0001] The invention relates to medical monitoring and more specifically monitoring patients after joint surgeries / injuries.Background Art

[0002] Goniometers are instruments which measure the range or extent of movement of flexing joints such as the knee, ankle, wrist, shoulders, hips, and fingers. These devices are commonly used during the course of therapy after injuries or illnesses which affect joint movement, in order to provide an indicator of the extent of the patient's recovery. Generally available goniometers are simple instruments having two arms hinged together with an angular scale. In use, the arms are positioned in alignment with the body parts adjacent to the joint, and the patient then flexes the joint. A second, followup measurement is taken at a subsequent session. The second measurement is then compared to the initial measurement, indicating a gain or loss of joint range of motion. Typical goniometers of this character are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1 ,590,499 and 3,270,420. More complex goniometers have been provided in recent years including automated readout functions and complex arrangement for securing the devices to various body parts, see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,306,571 , 4,436,099, 5,263,492, and 5,792,077. Additionally, specialized goniometers designed only for particular body parts such as ankles have also been provided, such as that depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,771 ,548. However, none of these goniometers continuously measures the real-time joint angle and nor are they capable of transmitting data to the patient’s physician or health care professional.

[0003] More recently, there are surface sensors such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 20170143261 A1 , which measures the range of motions of the knee joint and transmits the data to the patient’s smartphone.

[0004] None of these similar devices in the market can distinguish between active / passive motion of the muscle through an EMG sensor. There are someconditions where the joint should specifically undergo active or passive motions. Patients are often not able to follow the instructions in the painful postoperative period. The device will inform the patient and / or the care provider of the actual mode of motion and can also be set to alarm if the proper mode of motion was not implemented. The proposed device also has the capability of alarming in case of abnormal range of motion. In addition, using the base computer device for processing the data rather than arming the wearable device with such ability has made the current invention much less costly compared to the existing competitors. These features in combination with the user-friendly design of the product will make it far more functional and popular for the patients and the health-care providers.Summary of InventionTelepatron is a wearable wireless goniometer that continuously measures the realtime joint angle and transmits the data to the patient’s care provider. It is capable of distinguishing between active / passive motion of the muscle through the EMG sensor, and alarm the patient / health care provider if the proper mode of motion was not implemented, and / or if the joint (e.g. knee) undergoes out-of-normal range motion (e.g. hyperextension) or any undesirable position.Technical Problem

[0005] Restoring Range of Motion (ROM) is a major desirable outcome after joint injuries / surgeries (e.g. hip, knee, elbow and shoulder injuries and also surgeries like joint replacement- and sports medicine surgeries) [1]. Currently, joint ROM is typically measured manually with a goniometer at health care facilities and rehabilitation centers. The physical referral of patients for ROM monitoring is costly and time consuming, increases the risk of re-injury, and can unnecessarily expose the patients to infecting organisms during a pandemic such as the current COVID-19 situation. Moreover, many patients are often not able to follow the instructions on the mode of motion and / or the safe range of motion in the painful postoperative period.Solution to Problem

[0006] Telepatron is a wearable wireless goniometer that continuously measures the real-time joint angle and transmits the data to the patient’s physician or health care professional. This will facilitate bringing the health care services to thepatients’ doorstep at an affordable price while ensuring user’s safety, comfort and independence.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0007] For in-patients at hospital or rehabilitation centers, the medical staff can use this device to remotely monitor the ROM continuously following any periarticular trauma and / or surgical procedure, thus reducing the number of in-person visits to the patient’s room. This will contribute towards reducing the risk of the medical staff being exposed to infectious diseases such as coronavirus as well as utilizing the workforce and resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) more efficiently.

[0008] The unique features of this device include its capability of distinguishing between active / passive motion of the muscle through the EMG sensor, and alarming the patient / health care provider if the proper mode of motion was not implemented, and / or if the joint (e.g. knee) undergoes out-of-normal-range motion (e.g. hyperextension) or any undesirable position.Brief Description of Drawings

[0009] Fig. 1 : The overview of the performance of the Telepatron

[0010] Fig. 2: The overview of the gateway app which illustrates the main features of the app

[0011] Fig. 3: The app interface used by patient’s physician

[0012] Fig. 4: Sample output of the app showing the knee range of motion and the length of joint activityDescription of Embodiments

[0013] 1- Patient

[0014] 2- Gateway App

[0015] 3- Telepatron Portal

[0016] 4- Doctor

[0017] 5- Setup Page

[0018] 6- Calibration Page

[0019] 7- Alarm Range Page

[0020] 8- User Profile

[0021] 9- Data Range

[0022] Most patients after a surgery on elbow, shoulder, knee. Surgeries around these large joints are frequently associated with joint stiffness, so that early and persistent passive or active ROM exercise to prevent stiffness and restore a functional ROM is a routine part of postoperative rehabilitation of such patients

[0023] Many patients after an injury of elbow, shoulder, knee. These joints are prone to stiffness after any non-surgical traumatic injury as well. A dislocated elbow, shoulder or knee will usually end up in a stiff joint if left immobilized for more than a few days or weeks after the injury, and are therefore treated with strict ROM exercise programs.

[0024] Some patients with no history of trauma or surgery whose treatment plan would include physiotherapy to restore ROM. There are some clinical conditions that cause severe stiffness of a joint. Examples include frozen shoulder and Sudek atrophy, in which the affected joint needs long term ROM exercise to come out of restriction.

[0025] Patients with neuromuscular diseases or local joint issues who require to limit their joint motion to a certain range (i.e. poliomyelitis, Duchenne atrophy, after patellar tendon repair). Patients with some neuromuscular diseases like poliomyelitis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis may experience abnormal motions in their joints, particularly the knees. This typically includes going to a gradually progressive hyperextension position which leads to severe disability with no available good solutions. Preventive rehabilitation measures mostly focus on educating the patient to consciously avoid the abnormal position of the joint. Providing the patient with real time feedback on the actual position of the joint and alarming them in case the allowed range is breached will ease the rehabilitation process and most probably improve the outcome of such patients.

[0026] Patients that need ROM exercise but exclusively in an active or a passive fashion. An example is a patient after patellar tendon repair or reconstruction who is asked to do motion exercise with flexion of the knee performed only actively(using hamstring muscles) and extension of the knee only passively (with the quadriceps muscle quite relaxed). The patients often confuse how to control their different muscles in the painful postoperative period. Mistakes can lead to undermining of the repair, sometimes leading to re-surgery or attenuation of the outcome.Industrial Applicability

[0027] According to Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the number of Canadians having joint replacements has significantly increased over the past 5 years, with 130,000 surgeries now performed annually, including around 10,000 revision surgeries [3]. Poor recovery from the primary joint replacement, such as joint stiffness, can result in complications which may lead to revision surgery. The average inpatient cost of a revision surgery is about $17,000- almost 80% higher than the cost of a primary joint replacement [3]. Importantly, the expenses incurred due to complications associated with joint injuries / surgeries (e.g. revision surgeries) are absorbed by Health Care providers and ultimately the taxpayers in Canada. Any innovation capable of decreasing the rate of complications could potentially reduce the need for revision surgery.

[0028] Research shows that only less than 35 percent of patients are adherent to their at-home physical therapy regimen following surgery, although it remains a crucial element of a successful recovery [3]. Currently, there is no wearable sensor in the market with capabilities of reporting the mode of muscle work during the motions and also alarming in case of abnormal motion. The few existing wearable sensors can only measure / monitor the joint range of motion. This confluence of factors led to the development of Telepatron, making the recovery process more fun and convenient for patients, while giving providers the ability to diligently monitor patients’ adherence and rehabilitation progress in a real-time fashion.

[0029] The number of Canadians who have consulted a physiotherapist has been steadily increasing in Canada, going from 2.16 million (8.4 per cent of the adult population) in 2001 to 3.49 million (11 .6 per cent of the adult population) in 2014 [2], Biomedical motion sensors such as Telepatron can substantially lower theneed for visiting the physician or physiotherapist while providing real-time data to monitor patients following joint injuries / surgeries.Reference List

[0030] [1]. Sahu, N.K., et aL, Variables Determining the Postoperative Knee Range of Motion Following Cruciate-substituting Total Knee Replacement: A Prospective Study. Cureus, 2019. 11(8): p. E5501.

[0031] [2], Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2014.

[0032] [3], www.cihi.ca / en / hip-and-knee-replacements-in-canada-cirr-report-0

[0033] [4], Jack, K., et aL, Barriers to treatment adherence in physiotherapy outpatient clinics: a systematic review. Man Ther, 2010. 15(3): p. 220-8.

Claims

Claims

1. Wireless Wearable Goniometer for Remote Patient Monitoring system which consists of the following components: a. EMG sensor b. Gateway Application c. Internet Portal

2. According to claiml , Rotational knee angle measurement and seamless software recording.

3. According to claiml , Lateral knee angle measurement, seamlessly recorded in advanced software for comprehensive analysis.

4. According to claiml , conducting a comprehensive examination and analysis of knee muscle strength through specialized device scanning, followed by seamless integration with software for detailed assessment.

5. According to claiml , Implementing a sophisticated notification system to signal the initiation and completion of tensor-assisted muscle strengthening sessions.

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