Abstract: Disclosed are a joint manipulation device and system for increasing the range of motion of a joint of a user, and monitoring the compliance of the user's operation of the joint manipulation device to standards or guidelines set by a monitoring entity. Certain sensors associated with the joint manipulation device may cause an indicator to transmit an alert to the user based on whether or not the device is sufficiently engaged with a limb or joint of the user to be considered in compliance. Additionally, progress data associated with the range of motion of the user's joint may be obtained by a sensor assembly and transmitted to one or more systems associated with the device system. Progress data obtained during a period of non-compliant use of the device may be excluded from the transmitted data, thereby generating a set of compliant progress data for accurate analysis of device effectiveness.

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 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: Disclosed are a joint manipulation device and system for increasing the range of motion of a joint of a user, and monitoring the compliance of the user's operation of the joint manipulation device to standards or guidelines set by a monitoring entity. Certain sensors associated with the joint manipulation device may cause an indicator to transmit an alert to the user based on whether or not the device is sufficiently engaged with a limb or joint of the user to be considered in compliance. Additionally, progress data associated with the range of motion of the user's joint may be obtained by a sensor assembly and transmitted to one or more systems associated with the device system. Progress data obtained during a period of non-compliant use of the device may be excluded from the transmitted data, thereby generating a set of compliant progress data for accurate analysis of device effectiveness.

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: 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.