| System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure -> Monitor Keywords |
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System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedureRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Diagnostic Testing, Measuring Anatomical Characteristic Or Force Applied To Or Exerted By BodySystem and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060142670, System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for use in conjunction with orthopaedic procedures. BACKGROUND [0002] Currently, patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure is a function of the time that has elapsed since the procedure. Indeed, follow-up meetings with the orthopaedic care provider (e.g., the surgeon) are typically scheduled for dates in the future which reflect the passage of a given amount of time since the procedure. SUMMARY [0003] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. [0004] The number of cycles of use of the patient's joint may be determined by (i) determining number of steps taken by the patient, (ii) determining the activity level of the patient, (iii) determining the number of times a predetermined joint flexion angle is achieved, or (iv) determining the number of loading cycles of the joint. [0005] The communication with the orthopaedic care provider (e.g., a surgeon) is initiated by notifying the patient and/or the orthopaedic care provider. Such communication may be initiated by a phone call, electronic mail message, or other web-based communication. Such a communication may be an automated, device-initiated communication. [0006] The orthopaedic joint of the patient may be a prosthetic joint. The orthopaedic joint of the patient may have at least one natural orthopaedic component. [0007] A patient monitoring system includes a joint use measurement device configured to determine the cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of a patient. [0008] The joint use measurement device is operable to generate a message if a predetermined threshold is attained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a joint use measurement device in the form of a pedometer being utilized to determine the cycles of use of a knee endoprosthesis system; [0011] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a joint use measurement device in the form of a electronic body monitor being utilized to determine the cycles of use of a knee endoprosthesis system; [0012] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing a joint use measurement device in the form of an implantable joint cycle counter being utilized to determine the cycles of use of a knee endoprosthesis system; and [0013] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a joint use measurement device in communication with a communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The present disclosure relates to a method for determining patient follow-up after an orthopaedic procedure, such as a joint replacement procedure, based on the actual use of the patient's joint. As will be described herein in greater detail, the number of cycles of use of the patient's joint may be determined, for example, by (i) determining number of steps taken by the patient, (ii) determining the activity level of the patient, (iii) determining the number of times a predetermined joint flexion angle is achieved, or (iv) determining the number of loading cycles of the joint. Determination of these parameters may be achieved in a number of different manners. When it is determined that the patient has achieved a level of use in which follow-up is desired, a communication with the orthopaedic care provider (e.g., a surgeon, hospital, nurse, primary care provider, or other individual involved in the care of the patient) is initiated by notifying the patient and/or the orthopaedic care provider. As will be described herein in greater detail, such communication may be achieved in a variety of different manners. [0015] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown one implementation of the concepts of the present disclosure. In this case, a joint use measurement device 10 is utilized to determine the number of cycles of use of a prosthetic orthopaedic joint 12. In the exemplary arrangement of FIG. 1, the orthopaedic joint 12 is exemplary embodied as a knee endoprosthesis system 14 for use in a total knee replacement procedure. The knee endoprosthesis system 14 is implanted on the distal end of the femur 16 and the proximal end of the tibia 18. The endoprosthesis system 10 includes a tibial bearing 20 that is positioned on the proximal tibial component 22. The proximal tibial component 22 is affixed to the proximal end of the tibia 18. The tibial bearing 20 has a contoured proximal surface 24, against which the condyles 26 of the distal femoral component 28 bear. The distal femoral component 28 is affixed to the distal end of the femur 16. Articulation of the joint is at the interface of the proximal surface 24 of the tibial bearing 20 and the condyles 26 of the distal femoral component 28. [0016] The actual use of the knee endoprosthesis system 14 may be characterized as cycles of use of the system. The cycles of use of the system 14 may be measured in a variety of methods such as, for example, (i) by determining number of steps taken by the patient, (ii) by determining the activity level of the patient, (iii) by determining the number of times a predetermined joint flexion angle is achieved by the system 14, or (iv) by determining the number of loading cycles of the system 14. [0017] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the joint use measurement device 10 is embodied as a pedometer 30. The pedometer 30 is worn by the patient subsequent to the patient's orthopaedic procedure to determine the number of steps taken by the patient. When the output from the pedometer 30 indicates that the patient has taken a predetermined number of steps since the patient's orthopaedic procedure (or since the patient's previous meeting with the surgeon), a communication with the orthopaedic surgeon may be initiated. For example, the patient may make an appointment with the surgeon's office via telephone, electronic mail or other web-based communication, conventional mail, etcetera. [0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an arrangement similar to FIG. 1, but showing the joint use measurement device 10 embodied as an electronic body monitor 32. The electronic body monitor 32 is configured to be worn externally of the patient's body such as, for example, on an armband. Like the pedometer 30 of FIG. 1, the electronic body monitor 32 may be used to determine the number of steps taken by the patient over a given period of time (e.g., since the patient's procedure or since the patient's previous post-surgical meeting with the surgeon). The electronic body monitor 32 may also execute algorithms for determining and tracking the activity level of the patient. In this way, follow-up may be initiated as a function of steps taken by the patient, activity level of the patient, or both. [0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic body monitor 32 includes a sensor 34 that is configured to sense parameters associated with cycles of use of the knee endoprosthesis system 14. The sensor 34 may be embodied as a single sensor or as an array of sensors. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensor 34 is embodied as a two-axis accelerometer the output from which may be used to determine the number of steps taken by the patient. The electronic body monitor 32 also includes a processor 36 electrically coupled to the sensor 34, a memory device 38, and a data output port 40. The processor 36 is electrically coupled to the data output port 40 and the memory device 38. The electronic body monitor 32 may also include other devices useful in a computing device such as drivers, registers, buffers, digital signal processors, and the like. Illustratively, the electronic body monitor 32 may be embodied, with or without modification thereto, as any one of the numerous body monitors commercially available from BodyMedia, Incorporated of Pittsburgh, Pa. One such BodyMedia device is commercially sold under the name SenseWare PRO. Continue reading about System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure... Full patent description for System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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