Knee Goniometer Anchoring Template for Repeatable Joint Angle Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing goniometers for measuring joint angles suffer from inaccurate measurements due to improper placement and attachment, which can be influenced by different clinicians and require repeated setup, leading to compromised accuracy and utility during physical therapy.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for attaching a goniometer to a user's knee using a template with pods and a knee pivot anchor, ensuring consistent and accurate placement by aligning markers at the lateral epicondyle, greater trochanter, and lateral malleolus, and securing pods at defined locations on the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard goniometer is attached using straps by different clinicians, then the device can be applied to measure joint angles, but the placement accuracy and measurement precision deteriorate due to variability in clinician experience and technique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-marked anatomical landmarks (lateral epicondyle, greater trochanter, lateral malleolus) and a template with pre-defined pod placement locations. This allows clinicians to quickly locate and mark the correct positions before attaching the pods, eliminating the need for complex manual measurement and alignment procedures while ensuring consistent, accurate placement across different users and clinicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary template and marking system that mediates between the clinician and the goniometer attachment. The template serves as a guide that translates anatomical landmarks into precise pod placement locations, acting as an intermediary tool that standardizes the attachment process and eliminates variability in clinician technique.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the goniometer is repeatedly attached and detached during physical therapy sessions, then the device can be reapplied for continued monitoring, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to improper placement and setup errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating permanent anatomical landmarks and using a template to pre-determine pod placement locations. When the goniometer needs to be reapplied, clinicians can simply reattach the pods to the same marked locations without needing to重新 measure or align, ensuring consistent accuracy across multiple sessions and eliminating setup errors that would compromise measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If anatomical landmarks are manually located and marked for each patient, then the goniometer can be accurately positioned, but the installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a template with pre-marked anatomical landmarks and pre-defined pod placement locations. This allows clinicians to quickly locate and mark the correct positions without performing complex manual measurements or calculations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining high placement accuracy through the standardized template guide.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for installing devices on a user can include an indicator set comprising a marker to place markings on the user, and a set of adhesive pads to be placed on the user. A knee pivot anchor can be attached to the user. A template having a proximal portion can be pivotally mounted to the knee pivot anchor. A distal portion of the template can be positioned at different locations on the user. The template also can have an aperture. A set of pods can be interchangeably located in the aperture of the template. Each pod can be secured to respective locations on the user. The template and the knee pivot anchor can be removed from the user with the pods remaining in place on the user to support a goniometer.