Assessing the Condition of a Joint and Devising Treatment
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
InventorsPhilipp Lang, Daniel Steines
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for assessing the condition of a cartilage in a joint, particularly in a human knee. The methods include converting an image such as an MRI to a three dimensional map of the cartilage. The cartilage map can be correlated to a movement pattern of the joint to assess the affect of movement on cartilage wear. Changes in the thickness of cartilage over time can be determined so that therapies can be provided. Information o thickness of cartilage and curvature of cartilage or subchondral bone can be used to plan therapy. Information on movement pattern can be used to plan therapy.
Claims45
A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a joint of a patient, the method comprising:
- processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient;
- creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the joint from the image data;
- and
- generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of the cartilage surface of the joint;
- wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the joint.
A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of an articular surface of a joint of a patient, the method comprising:
- processing image data of at least a portion of the joint of the patient;
- estimating the dimensions of a region of cartilage based at least in part on the representation of a subchondral bone surface;
- creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the joint from the image data;
- and
- generating a physical model for use in the treatment of the joint that includes a surface portion that is derived from the surface representation of at least a portion of the estimated cartilage surface.
A method of creating a physical model used in the treatment of a knee joint of a patient, the method comprising:
- processing image data of at least a portion of the knee joint of the patient;
- creating a three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of a cartilage surface of the knee joint from the image data;
- and
- generating a physical model that includes a surface portion that is derived from the three dimensional surface representation of at least a portion of an articular surface of the knee joint;
- wherein the physical model is configured for use in the treatment of the knee joint.
A method of devising a physical model for treating a damaged or diseased articular surface of a patient's joint, the method comprising:
- generating a three-dimensional representation of at least a portion of an articular surface of the joint of the patient;
- deriving at least one or more dimensions of a subchondral bone surface of said joint;
- and
- generating a physical model including a surface portion based on at least one of an articular dimension, curvature, shape and thickness of the cartilage surface of the joint;
- wherein the physical model is a device used in the treatment of a damaged or diseased articular surface of the joint of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.