US 5,929,782 AGranted

Communication system for an instrumented orthopedic restraining device and method therefor

OwnerJohn G. Stark, Shawn B. Dempsterinventors

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Abstract

A system and method for communicating an orthopedic parameters signal between a remote communication unit and a central site monitoring station is provided. The orthopedic signal includes a value representative of a total torque output by an individual over a period of time as measured by a personal orthopedic restraining device. The restraining device is restrains movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second body portion. Communication is accomplished by receiving the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote unit from the orthopedic device. Subsequently, the received signal is protected from potential transmission errors through encoding. The encoded signal is prepared for transmission through modulation. Finally, the modulated signal is transmitted over a communication channel from the remote unit to the central station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored. In addition, the operations of the central site monitoring station are described.

Claims2

Dependent claims

A two-way method of communicating an orthopedic parameters signal between a remote communication unit and a central site monitoring station, the orthopedic parameters signal at least including a value representative of a total torque output by an individual over a period of time as measured by a personal orthopedic restraining device, the restraining device restraining movement of a first flexibly connected body portion relative to a second flexibly connected body portion of an individual, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) waiting for a particular action to occur selected from the group consisting of:
completing a prescribed exercise regimen, happening of a periodic reporting time, generating at least two different orthopedic parameters signals by the personal orthopedic device, obtaining a message from the individual for incorporation in to the orthopedic parameters signal for transmission to the central site monitoring station, and receiving a communication from the central site monitoring station which requests an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device;
(b) receiving, subsequent to the particular action occurring, the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote communication unit from the personal orthopedic restraining device;
(c) protecting the received orthopedic parameters signal from potential transmission errors by encoding the received orthopedic parameters signal;
(d) preparing the encoded orthopedic parameters signal for subsequent transmission by modulating the encoded orthopedic parameters signal;
(e) transmitting the modulated orthopedic parameters signal over a communication channel from the remote communication unit and to the central site monitoring station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored by the central site monitoring station;
(f) receiving the modulated orthopedic parameters signal at the central site monitoring station from over the communication channel;
(g) demodulating the received modulated orthopedic parameters signal;
(h) detecting an orthopedic parameters signal from demodulated orthopedic parameters signal;
(i) providing the detected orthopedic parameters signal to an external device such that subsequent processing of the orthopedic parameters signal can be performed;
(j) transmitting a communication from the central site monitoring station over the communication channel to the personal orthopedic restraining device, the communication is selected from the group consisting of:
a request for an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device, a request to resend a portion of an orthopedic parameters signal previously sent by the personal orthopedic restraining device, and confirmation that a previous orthopedic parameter signal was received;
and
(k) receiving the communication at the remote communication unit from over the communication channel.

11 more elements

(a) waiting for a particular action to occur selected from the group consisting of:
completing a prescribed exercise regimen, happening of a periodic reporting time, generating at least two different orthopedic parameters signals by the personal orthopedic device, obtaining a message from the individual for incorporation into the orthopedic parameters signal for transmission to the central site monitoring station, and receiving a communication from the central site monitoring station which requests an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device;
(b) receiving, subsequent to the particular action occurring, the orthopedic parameters signal at the remote communication unit from the personal orthopedic restraining device;
(c) protecting the received orthopedic parameters signal from potential transmission errors by encoding the received orthopedic parameters signal;
(d) preparing the encoded orthopedic parameters signal for subsequent transmission by modulating the encoded orthopedic parameters signal;
(e) transmitting the modulated orthopedic parameters signal over a communication channel from the remote communication unit and to the central site monitoring station such that movement of flexibly connected body portions can be monitored by the central site monitoring station;
(f) receiving the modulated orthopedic parameters signal at the central site monitoring station from over the communication channel;
(g) demodulating the received modulated orthopedic parameters signal;
(h) detecting an orthopedic parameters signal from the demodulated orthopedic parameters signal;
(i) providing the detected orthopedic parameters signal to an external device such that subsequent processing of the orthopedic parameters signal can be performed;
(j) transmitting a communication from the central site monitoring station over the communication channel to the personal orthopedic restraining device, the communication is selected from the group consisting of:
a message to the individual wearing the personal orthopedic restraining device and the communication unit, a programming instruction for the personal orthopedic restraining device, a request for an orthopedic parameter signal from the personal orthopedic restraining device, a request to resend a portion of an orthopedic parameter signal previously sent by the personal orthopedic restraining device, and confirmation that a previous orthopedic parameter signal was received;
(k) receiving the communication at the remote communication unit from over the communication channel;
and
(l) providing the communication to the personal orthopedic restraining device, if appropriate.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/389,680Filed 15 Feb 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 21 Feb 1990
Granted: 27 Jul 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

A61F 5/01
Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices ; Anti-rape devices: orthopaedic devices, e.g.…
A61B 5/1071
Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof: measuring angles, e.g. using goniometers
A61B 5/411
Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the immune or lymphatic systems: detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an…
A61B 5/4528
For evaluating or diagnosing the musculoskeletal system or teeth: joints

Family

Serial483,139Parent of this continuation · filed 21 Feb 1990
Serial733,207Parent of this continuation · filed 19 Jul 1991
Serial298,591Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 31 Aug 1994
US 5,484,389 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,368,546 AParent of this continuation
US 5,052,375 AParent of this continuation
US 5,929,782 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.