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: 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: 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: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints on the rotation analysis. Other embodiments provide data related to movement of the tibia in other degrees of freedom.

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: Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices for manipulating a hand of a user to provide pronation or supination assistance. Embodiments include an anchor; a hand engagement member operatively attached to the anchor and configured to receive and engage the hand of the user; a force applicator comprising a member portion and an anchor portion opposite the member portion, the force applicator attached to the hand engagement member proximate its member portion and attached to the anchor proximate its anchor portion; and a force application mechanism attached to the anchor and configured to cause a force to be applied to the force applicator causing the hand engagement member to manipulate the hand of the user to provide pronation or supination assistance. In some embodiments, the force application mechanism includes a non-incremental rotary mechanism. In some embodiments, a flexible tethering member attaches the anchor to the hand engagement member.

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: 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: Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices for manipulating a hand of a user to provide pronation or supination assistance. Embodiments include an anchor; a hand engagement member operatively attached to the anchor and configured to receive and engage the hand of the user; a force applicator containing a member portion and an anchor portion opposite the member portion, the force applicator attached to the hand engagement member proximate its member portion and attached to the anchor proximate its anchor portion; and a force application mechanism attached to the anchor and configured to cause a force to be applied to the force applicator causing the hand engagement member to manipulate the hand of the user to provide pronation or supination assistance. In some embodiments, the force application mechanism includes a non-incremental rotary mechanism. In some embodiments, a flexible tethering member attaches the anchor to the hand engagement member.

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: 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: Various limb manipulation and evaluation devices are provided. The devices generally include three drives, namely a first drive configured to manipulate a first bone relative to a second bone in a first direction, a second drive configured to manipulate the first bone relative to the second bone in a second direction, a third drive configured to manipulate the first bone relative to the second bone in a second direction. The three directions are different relative to each other and in some embodiments represent three distinct axes. The devices are further configured such that at least one of the drives is mutually decoupled relative to at least one other drive, such that operation of the one drive does not affect the position or movement of the another drive. One or multiple of the drives may be decoupled. A corresponding method of operating such decoupled drives is also provided.

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: 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: 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.