Bio-feedback Gait Training for Canine Joint Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical and non-surgical methods for treating cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) ruptures in dogs are often ineffective in providing long-term stability and preventing degenerative arthritis, with high rates of failure and complications.
Innovation Solution
A non-surgical system using orientation sensors and stimulators attached to a dog's limbs, which provides bio-feedback to train the dog to reduce internal rotation of the tibia by modifying the balance of external and internal rotator muscles, thereby reducing the risk of CrCL rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard surgical procedures (extra-capsular suture or geometry-modifying techniques) are used to treat CrCL rupture, then joint stability is provided temporarily, but long-term stability is unsatisfactory with high rates of degenerative arthritis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using orientation sensors to detect tibia rotation angles during gait and providing real-time information to the dog through visual or auditory signals. This enables the dog to learn and correct excessive internal rotation through repeated trial-and-error, gradually achieving proper muscle balance and gait pattern without surgical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the dog to self-correct its gait abnormalities through bio-feedback training. The dog actively participates in the correction process by receiving feedback signals and adjusting its own muscle activation patterns, rather than relying on external surgical intervention to impose stability.
2Reliability
If geometry-modifying surgical techniques (TPLO, CWO, TTA) are used to stabilize the stifle, then immediate and durable stability is achieved, but surgical complications occur including post-surgical damage to the medial meniscus
Solution Approach 1:
The orientation sensor provides real-time feedback on tibia rotation during gait cycles. The system detects excessive internal rotation events that would otherwise cause meniscus damage and provides corrective signals to the dog, preventing the harmful mechanical stress before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting and correcting excessive internal rotation of the tibia before it can cause damage to the medial meniscus. By providing feedback during the gait cycle, the system prevents the development of harmful mechanical stresses that would lead to meniscus injury.
3Ease of operation
If non-surgical training methods are used to correct gait, then the dog learns proper muscle control, but the training process is time-consuming and requires repeated sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The bio-feedback system accelerates the learning process by providing immediate, objective information about the dog's gait deviations. This eliminates the need for lengthy trial-and-error training sessions, as the dog receives precise guidance on what correction is needed and how to achieve it, significantly reducing the time required to master proper muscle control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces internal rotation of the tibia, thereby decreasing the tensile forces on the CrCL and its surrogates, potentially preventing CrCL rupture and associated degenerative arthritis, with fewer complications compared to traditional surgical methods.
Implementation Method 1
at least one orientation sensor and at least one stimulator adapted for attaching to a limb of the dog
Implementation Method 2
the at least one stimulator is adapted for being activated by the computing device if the sensor data exceeds acceptable threshold levels
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to devices and methods useful in training dogs how to control the muscles involved in rotation of the tibia in order to reduce the risk of cranial cruciate rupture. The invention has further applications in training dogs to increase abduction of the hind limbs to avoid hip dysplasia, as well as abduction of the front limbs to avoid elbow dysplasia.