Apparatus and method for measuring anatomical orthopedic joint laxity
OwnerSteven A. Caruso, Steven C. Sheskierinventors
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Abstract
An improved apparatus and method are provided for force and distance indication readings on the prior art MEDmetrics KT 1000.TM. which eliminate the need for an observer to vigilantly scrutinize the analog distance indicator and which indicate the force used to produce a given distance of travel, with both the force and distance having maximum-read indicators. In addition, a removable receptacle is provided for adapting the prior art KT 1000.TM. for use in measuring ankle joint laxity. A method of reliably and accurately measuring ankle joint laxity is provided using the improved KT 1000.TM. device of the present invention.
Claims31
An improved KT 1000.TM. device for measuring the anatomical joint laxity of a patient undergoing medical examination, comprising means for measuring relative movement in anatomical joints, and further comprising:
- a. a pair of reference pads for contacting the anatomy of the patient whose joint laxity is to be measured, the reference pads being capable of moving relative to each other in response to relative force applied by the user;
- and wherein further
- b. the pair of reference pads is provided with indicator means for indicating the direction of travel of the pads relative to each other;
- and
- c. the pair of reference pads is further provided with indicator means for indicating the distance traveled by one pad relative to the other;
- and where
- d. the pair of reference pads is further provided with indicator means for indicating the amount of relative force applied to the pads;
- and
- e. the pair of reference pads being further provided with a downwardly extending receptacle for convenient and secure alignment and affixing to the heel therebelow of a patient lying in the prone position for measuring the laxity of joints;
- and wherein both the receptacle and the patient's ankle are free from exposure to weight bearing force other than that applied for purposes of joint laxity measurement;
- f. the receptacle being adjustable by the user to secure the device in place on the patient's anatomy being measured.
An improved KT 1000.TM. device for measuring the anatomical joint laxity of a patient undergoing medical examination, comprising, in combination with the KT 1000.TM.:
- at least one receptacle having means for convenient and secure affixing to desired anatomical structures for measuring the laxity of joints;
- and wherein the at least one receptacle being attachable to and removable from the KT 1000.TM. by the user;
- and
- wherein further the at least one receptacle comprises means for secure and convenient attachment of the at least one receptacle to and removal of the at least one receptacle from the KT 1000.TM. ;
- and
- wherein further the at least one receptacle comprises a substantially concave shape;
- and the at least one receptacle comprises a pair of laterally adjustable clamping walls for grasping the anatomy of the patient to be examined;
- the clamping walls further being provided with means to comfortably and conveniently adjust the at least one receptacle in a clamped position on the anatomy of the patient.
A method of measuring the ankle joint laxity in a patient being medically examined, comprising the steps of:
- a. affixing the KT 1000.TM. prior art device to the anatomy of the patient's foot, ankle and leg;
- b. applying one KT 1000.TM. reference pad to the patient's heel, the reference pad so affixed comprising a calcaneous reference pad;
- and
- c. applying a KT 1000.TM. reference pad to the patient by bringing it in contact with the posterior portion of the patient's calf, so that the reference pad is adjacent to and capable of pressing upon the patient's Achilles tendon, the reference pad so affixed being a tibial reference pad since in position it is disposed adjacent to the patient's tibial bone;
- and
- d. applying force to the respective calcaneous and tibial reference pads so as to produce lateral movement therebetween;
- e. observing and recording the indication of the amount of lateral distance traveled by the respective reference pads relative to each other;
- and
- f. observing and recording the indication of the amount of force applied to produce the relative distance traveled by the reference pads relative to each other as indicated by the KT 1000.TM. force indicia;
- and
- g. repeating the foregoing steps on the patient's other foot, ankle and leg for reference comparison;
- and
- h. repeating the foregoing sequence to observe and record inherent intra-patient variability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.