WO2004010385A1

WO2004010385A1 - Computerized machine for the observation and survey of joint dynamics

Info

Publication number: WO2004010385A1
Application number: PCT/IT2003/000444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Tarricone
Original assignee: Luigi Tarricone
Priority date: 2002-07-19
Filing date: 2003-07-18
Publication date: 2004-01-29
Also published as: ITLE20020017A0; ITLE20020017A1

Abstract

The following patent works within the field of orthopaedic mechanics: we’ve been working to create a video support in the study of joint dynamics. The system consists in: three video-cameras, a video-micrometric reading software, a plug-in bearing with a “C”-type language software, a software for the 3-D reconstruction of joints and bones. The process works as follows: with the help of a needle or any other instrument fit for the same purpose, we should stabilize the overhanging tissues to the bones; the videos will show the image of joints in motion, followed by a computerized graph. The transposition of the graph in actual scale to the skeletal joint, three-dimensionally reconstructed by a previously acquired CAT, NMR or radiographic images, will give the real image of the joints’ movement. At present, the techniques in use produce exclusively static images; positive results in the attempts of turning them into dynamic both on the plane and the rotation axis haven’t been achieved.

Description

COMPUTERIZED MACHINE FOR THE OBSERVATION AND SURVEY OF JOINT

DYNAMICS

DESCRIPTION

The following patent works within the field of orthopaedic mechanics to create a video support of joint dynamics. The machine is made up of: three video- cameras, a video-movie software, a video micrometric reading software, a plug-in bearing with a C-type language software, a software for the 3-D reconstruction of joints and bones. The process works as follows: with the help of a needle or any other instrument fit for the same purpose, we should stabilize the overhanging tissues to the bones; the video-cameras will show the moving joint, while a computerized graph will be elaborated. The transposition of the graph, in one-to-one scale, to the skeletal joint, reconstructed in 3-D images by CAT, NMR or radiographies previously acquired will produce the real image of the joint in motion.

In the observance of the joint dynamics, the computerized machine tries to give a video support of the three dimensions of the joints' movements. Up to now, the most technically advanced instruments dealing with orthopaedic field, such as the CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography), the NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and radiographies have given only static images and can just make "think" of pathological problems. However, such instruments do not let the images be interpreted unambiguously. Let's mention the attempt by Doc. Cartolari with the AL-CT to make a CAT exam by compression, but such instrument still hasn't been accepted by the scientific community since data and images are incomplete and not always trustworthy, besides the great quantity of emitted ionising radiations and the great amount of costs. Still today, there's no other instrumentation that could replace the object of the present patent request. The innovation here stands in the possibility of visualizing the real movements of man's joints in their space dynamics on the three plane and rotation axis. The result can be achieved through the use of a computerized machine that first gives a static image of the skeletal joints with particular exams (such as CAT, NMR, radiographies, etc) and, second, a graphic elaboration turns the static image into a 3-D one. The next step is to stabilize the overhanging tissues to the bones with the help of an instrument such as a needle or any other instrument fit for the process; in motion, the movement of bones will coincide with the movement of tissues. If we check the sequence with the use of three video-cameras, we get all the elaborated dynamic images of joints, thanks to the use of: a micrometric reading and a video-movie software, so as to get a graph of the movement. The transposition of the graph by a plug-in software, in one-to-one scale on the 3-D image of the skeletal joint previously elaborated, will show us the joint dynamics on the three plane and rotation axis. In practice, the conditions of: acquisition, elaboration and transposition of images by a computerized machine and the need to stabilize the soft tissues of the human body to the bones can vary without changing the form and the domain of the present patent.

Claims

1) Computerized machine patented to check the joint dynamics working as follows: a) 3-D reconstruction of skeletal joints by a given software that elaborates the image of joints, with exams such as: CAT, NMR, etc; b) acquisition of the joints' images in motion by video- cameras; c) elaboration of the images by a video- micrometric reading software and a video-movie software so as to have a complete graph of the movement; d) transposition of the graph, one-to-one scale, to 3-d images by a plug-in software;

2) Acquisition phase of joints' images in motion with the stabilization at the bone of the overhanging tissues by a needle or any other instrument suitable for the purpose;

3) Transposition of the graph containing the acquired images by any suitable optical instrument for a 3-d reconstruction of skeletal joints.