Abstract: Disclosed is a therapeutic stretching apparatus, which in particular provides a user with a system for providing an assist to increase knee extension as well as for maintaining stability of the knee after surgery. This device can not only act as a therapeutic stretching apparatus but also can act as a primary post-op knee brace with locks/limits on hinge to prevent user from further injuring the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulation and evaluation of a joint includes a frame to support the joint and to facilitate an application of force away from the joint for the evaluation of the joint, a bracket assembly supported by, and moveable relative to, the frame, the bracket assembly being configured to engage the joint, and a sensor coupled to the bracket assembly such that the sensor is moved by displacement of the bracket assembly relative to the frame during the evaluation of the joint, the sensor being configured to generate a signal indicative of the displacement.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a joint includes obtaining test data indicative of movement of the joint during a test of the joint, generating visualization data for a three-dimensional representation of the joint to be rendered via a display, generating plane data for a representation of a plane to be rendered via the display with the three-dimensional representation of the joint, the plane having a position and an orientation fixed relative to a bone of the joint, adjusting the visualization data to animate the three-dimensional representation to depict, via the display, the movement of the joint during the test, and adjusting the plane data to update the position and the orientation of the plane in accordance with the movement of the joint.

Abstract: A joint manipulation and evaluation apparatus has a mechanism configured to manipulate a first bone of a joint relative to a second bone of the joint. The apparatus has a joint stabilizer arranged to engage the joint and hold the second bone in place as the first bone is manipulated. A sensor is coupled to the joint stabilizer and is configured and arranged to detect residual movement of a clamped portion of the joint relative to the joint stabilizer as the first bone is manipulated.

Abstract: A knee examination method includes situating a patient on a patient support adjacent a robotic knee testing apparatus, the apparatus having a motion tracking system. The robotic knee testing apparatus is set up including defining a world coordinate system based on a fixed location of a transmitter of the motion tracking system. The patient is set up including determining one or more local coordinate systems each based on setting up the patient and on one or more robot based points. The robotic knee testing apparatus is operable to manipulate a leg of the patient.

Abstract: A knee examination method includes situating a patient on a patient support adjacent a robotic knee testing apparatus, the apparatus having a motion tracking system. The robotic knee testing apparatus is set up including defining a world coordinate system based on a fixed location of a transmitter of the motion tracking system. The patient is set up including determining one or more local coordinate systems each based on setting up the patient and on one or more robot based points. The robotic knee testing apparatus is operable to manipulate a leg of the patient.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining load-deformation data for a joint, the load-deformation data being gathered via joint testing implemented by robotic test equipment, the robotic test equipment being configured for movement of the joint and comprising sensors to gather the load-deformation data during the movement. A load-deformation curve function for the load-deformation data is generated, the load-deformation curve function defining a curve fitted to the load-deformation data. A feature of the curve defined by the load-deformation curve function is quantified. A biomechanical characteristic of the joint is identified based on the quantified feature of the curve defined by the load-deformation curve function.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a joint includes obtaining test data indicative of movement of the joint during a test of the joint, generating visualization data for a three-dimensional representation of the joint to be rendered via a display, generating plane data for a representation of a plane to be rendered via the display with the three-dimensional representation of the joint, the plane having a position and an orientation fixed relative to a bone of the joint, adjusting the visualization data to animate the three-dimensional representation to depict, via the display, the movement of the joint during the test, and adjusting the plane data to update the position and the orientation of the plane in accordance with the movement of the joint.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulation and evaluation of a joint includes a frame to support the joint and to facilitate an application of force away from the joint for the evaluation of the joint, a bracket assembly supported by, and moveable relative to, the frame, the bracket assembly being configured to engage the joint, and a sensor coupled to the bracket assembly such that the sensor is moved by displacement of the bracket assembly relative to the frame during the evaluation of the joint, the sensor being configured to generate a signal indicative of the displacement.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining test data during a plurality of joint tests, the test data being indicative of respective motion during each test, each test being implemented by a robotic testing apparatus that applies, during each test, a respective force oriented in a respective plane. Respective primary data indicative of respective movement in a respective degree of freedom disposed within the respective plane for each test is generated based on the test data. Secondary data indicative of concomitant movement during a first test of the plurality of tests is generated based on the test data, the concomitant movement being in a secondary degree of freedom other than the respective degree of freedom disposed within the respective plane for the first test, the concomitant movement arising from the respective applied force. A joint condition is determined based on the primary data for each test and the secondary data.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining test data for a joint, the test data being indicative of motion of the joint during joint testing implemented by a robotic testing apparatus applied to the joint to impart force oriented in a first degree of freedom for the joint, generating first data indicative of movement of the joint in the first degree of freedom based on the test data, generating second data indicative of concomitant movement of the joint in a second degree of freedom for the joint based on the test data, the concomitant movement arising from the imparted force, and determining a condition of the joint based on an analysis of the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining rotational data and translational data for a joint, the rotational and translational data being indicative of rotational and translational movement of the joint during rotational and translational joint testing, respectively, the rotational and translational joint testing being implemented by a robotic testing apparatus applied to the joint. A quantity indicative of joint play of the joint is computed. The quantity is computed via a function of the rotational data and the translational data. The method includes determining whether the computed quantity exceeds a joint play threshold and, if the computed quantity exceeds the joint play threshold, comparing the rotational data and the translational data with preset rotational data and preset translational data for the rotational and translation joint testing, respectively.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining rotational data and translational data for a joint. The rotational and translational data is indicative of rotational and translational movement of the joint during rotational and translational joint testing, respectively. The rotational and translational joint testing is implemented by a robotic testing apparatus. Respective zero torque points are determined for the rotational and translational movement based on the rotational data and the translational data. The respective zero torque points are combined for the rotational and translational movement to determine an equilibrium position for the joint. A biomechanical characteristic of the joint is ascertained based on an analysis of the equilibrium position.

Abstract: A method comprises obtaining rotational data and translational data for a joint. The rotational and translational data is indicative of rotational and translational movement of the joint during rotational and translational joint testing, respectively. The rotational and translational joint testing is implemented by a robotic testing apparatus. Respective zero torque points are determined for the rotational and translational movement based on the rotational data and the translational data. The respective zero torque points are combined for the rotational and translational movement to determine an equilibrium position for the joint. A biomechanical characteristic of the joint is ascertained based on an analysis of the equilibrium position.

Abstract: A thigh immobilizer is configured for use with a robotic knee testing apparatus to evaluate a knee joint. The thigh immobilizer has a first clamping element configured to engage a lateral portion of the thigh and a second clamping element spaced apart from the first clamping element. The second clamping element is configured to engage a medial portion of the thigh. The first clamping element and the second clamping element are each configured to move and lock independent of one another. The thigh immobilizer clamps and holds a thigh between the first and second clamping elements when the first clamping element and second clamping element are locked during manipulation of the lower leg.

Abstract: A robotic knee testing apparatus including a robot configured to support a leg of a patient, a patient support configured to support the patient thereon, and a positioning system adjustably connected to the patient support and movable relative to the patient support, wherein the positioning system is movable to adjust a position of the robot so as to allow the patient to be situated in an orthostasis position between a distal edge of the patient support and the robot. The robotic knee testing apparatus can also include a positioning system that is adjustably connected to the patient support and movable relative to the patient support to adjust a vertical position of the robot relative to the patient support.

Abstract: A method includes disposing an object relative to a first body, positioning a second body within a field of view of an imaging system such that the object is within the field of view and the first body is outside the field of view, and capturing, by the imaging system, data indicative of the object and the second body.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining test data during a plurality of joint tests, the test data being indicative of respective motion during each test, each test being implemented by a robotic testing apparatus that applies, during each test, a respective force oriented in a respective plane. Respective primary data indicative of respective movement in a respective degree of freedom disposed within the respective plane for each test is generated based on the test data. Secondary data indicative of concomitant movement during a first test of the plurality of tests is generated based on the test data, the concomitant movement being in a secondary degree of freedom other than the respective degree of freedom disposed within the respective plane for the first test, the concomitant movement arising from the respective applied force. A joint condition is determined based on the primary data for each test and the secondary data.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining test data for a joint, the test data being indicative of motion of the joint during joint testing implemented by a robotic testing apparatus applied to the joint to impart force oriented in a first degree of freedom for the joint, generating first data indicative of movement of the joint in the first degree of freedom based on the test data, generating second data indicative of concomitant movement of the joint in a second degree of freedom for the joint based on the test data, the concomitant movement arising from the imparted force, and determining a condition of the joint based on an analysis of the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining rotational data and translational data for a joint, the rotational and translational data being indicative of rotational and translational movement of the joint during rotational and translational joint testing, respectively, the rotational and translational joint testing being implemented by a robotic testing apparatus applied to the joint. A quantity indicative of joint play of the joint is computed. The quantity is computed via a function of the rotational data and the translational data. The method includes determining whether the computed quantity exceeds a joint play threshold and, if the computed quantity exceeds the joint play threshold, comparing the rotational data and the translational data with preset rotational data and preset translational data for the rotational and translation joint testing, respectively.