RU199990U1 - Device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus refers to medicine, namely to medical technology, and can be used in orthopedics and traumatology to diagnose instability of the knee joint. The objective of this useful model is to improve the quality of diagnostics of knee joint instability, in particular of the patella. The technical result consists in simplifying and increasing the accuracy of quantitative measurement of the stiffness of the ligamentous apparatus of the patella of the knee joint. The specified technical result is achieved due to a device consisting of a body, a limb fixation device located in it, a tensometric probe on which two markers are located, an electronic computing device attached to the body of two video cameras fixed on a tripod, as well as an electronic information display device, while the electronic computing device is configured to determine the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus using the software located in it.

Description

Technology area

[0001] The utility model relates to medicine, in particular to medical technology, and can be used in orthopedics and traumatology for diagnosing instability of the knee joint.

State of the art

[0002] There is a technique for determining the pathology of the knee joint, namely defects in the elements of the ligamentous apparatus by palpation of the patella.

[0003] On the basis of subjective data obtained by palpation of the patella, the doctor makes a decision about the absence of pathology in the patient, or the direction to a detailed study using magnetic resonance imaging.

[0004] From the prior art, a method is known for determining the lateization of the patella's own ligament according to patent No. RU2271148C1 (priority date: 06.21.2004, published: 03/10/2006). A computed tomography of the knee joint is performed, the scanning levels are set according to the tomogram: proximally - up from the patella to 1.5 cm, distally - at the level of the tibial tuberosity, after which a tomogram is applied at the level of the central parts of the patellar bed and a tomogram at the level of attachment of the patellar ligament. then, on the created image, the angle formed by two lines is measured: a straight line drawn through the center of the patellar bed and the center of the femur, and a straight line drawn through the center of the tibia and the place of attachment of the patella's own ligament. However, this method does not allow determining the rigidity of the ligamentous apparatus, and is aimed at determining exclusively the angle of displacement of the patella.

[0005] A known method for ultrasonic determination of the magnitude of lateral dislocation of the patella according to patent No. RU2533837C1 (priority date: 09/01/2014, publ .: 20.11.2014) based on the ultrasound method for the study of pathologies. However, this method also does not allow determining the rigidity of the ligamentous apparatus, and is aimed at determining the magnitude of the lateral dislocation of the patella and exclusively in a static position based on freeze frames.

[0006] Also known from the prior art is a device for determining the instability of the knee joint in patent No. RU2199979C2 (priority date: 09/18/2020, published: 03/10/2003), which consists of a fixed and movable platform with a bracket, characterized by that the bracket is connected by rods with bellows having spring valves to limit the pressure, while the pressure is pumped into the bellows with a rubber bulb with a screw to relieve pressure, and a slider with a locking screw and a cantilevered threaded bushing is installed on the bar, in which an indicator clock and a pusher are installed ... The disadvantage of this technical solution in comparison with the claimed one is the absence of a computerized calculation of the displacement of the patella, the impossibility of determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus due to the lack of an appropriate device, as well as the possibility of a gradual increase in pressure on the knee joint during palpation.

[0007] Known technical solution for patent No. RU26I4106C2 (priority date: 13.04.2016, published: 22.03.2017), which is a method and device for determining pain and strength in the knee joint, containing a force sensor with installed inside a strain gauge, a measuring unit, including an analog-to-digital converter, characterized in that it is equipped with two metal nozzles for tensoalgimetry, which are tips with an internal metric thread M10, the first of which is made with a diameter of 8 mm, a length of 20 mm, the second - with a diameter of 18 mm , 15 mm long, with two metal nozzles for dynamometry, which are semicircular segments with an inner radius of 70 mm and 140 mm, having a rubber coating, the force sensor is made in the form of a metal cylinder, has a rod for attaching the nozzles, and the measuring unit is equipped with a microcontroller and digital four-segment indicator. This technical solution does not make it possible to measure the rigidity of the ligamentous apparatus of an object (joint), and also does not have tools for graphical display of the data obtained.

[0008] The closest analogue is a device according to patent No. RU2285446C2 (priority date: 12/07/2004, publ: 10/20/2006), which is a diagnostic meter containing a movable and fixed part, a probe connected to the first movable part equipped with a linear displacement meter, characterized in that it is equipped with a second movable part, the stationary part is made in the form of a stationary base with a guide with the possibility of installing two movable parts on it, made in the form of carriages, connected by an elastic connection and each equipped with a digital display for indicating a linear size, while the second carriage is equipped with a linear displacement meter, and the first carriage with a stylus is located closer to the fixed base. The disadvantage of this technical solution is the risk of an error in measuring the rigidity of the object, since there is no device for fixing the object, the measurement of the length is based on the mechanical movement of the carriages, and the calculation of the rigidity must be done manually. Moreover, the measurement is carried out at a single point of application of the force, which also does not contribute to the accuracy of calculating the stiffness of the object.

The essence of the utility model

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to improve the quality of diagnosis of instability of the knee joint, in particular of the patella.

[0010] The technical result consists in simplifying and increasing the accuracy of quantitative measurement of the stiffness of the ligamentous apparatus of the patella of the knee joint. The specified technical result is achieved due to a device consisting of a body, a limb fixation device located in it, a tensometric probe on which two markers are located, an electronic computing device attached to the body of two video cameras fixed on a tripod, as well as an electronic information display device, while the electronic computing device is configured to determine the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus using the software located in it. Based on the broadcast image, the movement of the patella is determined using the software, and the force exerted on the patella by the software is calculated. Then the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus is calculated based on the data obtained on the movement of the patella and the force of the applied pressure. In this case, information about the characteristics of palpation (movement of the patella, the angle of exposure during palpation, the force of the applied pressure), in particular, the display of the stiffness index of the patellar ligamentous apparatus is displayed on an electronic means of displaying information.

[0011] At least one marker may be located above the knee joint, the second below the knee joint.

[0012] The strain gauge probe may further include an indenter, strain gauge unit, data acquisition board, battery with charging board, calibration tooling.

[0013] The strain gauge probe may further comprise a gain board.

[0014] The strain gauge probe may further comprise a gyroscope, a magnetometer, and

accelerometer.

[0015] The limb restraint means may further include a compressor, pillows, a control board.

[0016] The electronic information display means can be located on a tripod.

[0017] It is also possible to adjust the height of the position of the electronic display device on the tripod.

Description of drawings

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a general view of the device with the arrangement of its elements in a single housing.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a general view of the device with the location of markers on the human leg.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a strain gauge probe.

[0021] These figures are explained by the following positions: 1 - strain gauge, 2 - video cameras, 3 - video camera tripod, 4 - marker, 5 - electronic means of displaying information, 6 limb fixation system, 7 - electronic computing device, 8 - indenter, 9 - body, 10 - tripod of electronic means of displaying information, 11 - groove for strain gauge probe.

Detailed description of the utility model

[0022] In the following detailed description of the utility model, numerous implementation details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of the present utility model. However, it is obvious to the skilled person in the domain of how the present utility model can be used, with or without these implementation details.

[0023] A device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus is submitted for registration, which consists of a body (9), a limb fixation device (6) located therein, a strain gauge probe (1), on which two markers (4) are located, an electronic devices (7) attached to the body of two video cameras (2), fixed on a tripod (3), as well as an electronic means of displaying information (5), while the electronic computing device (7) is configured to determine the rigidity of the patellar ligamentous apparatus with using the software located in it.

[0024] The strain gauge can include an indenter (8), two markers (4). The strain gauge unit, the data collection board, the battery with the charging board as part of the strain gauge probe, and the calibration equipment are not shown in the figures.

[0025] The data collection board collects information for subsequent transmission to an electronic computing device and processing by the software on it. The specified data collection board provides information about the change in electrical resistance caused by deformation of the strain gages. Also, the data collection board may additionally contain a gyroscope, a magnetometer and an accelerometer. As a result, the data acquisition board is able to receive and transmit also information about the orientation and tilt angles of the strain gauge.

[0026] The data obtained from the strain gauge probe (I) by palpation of the patella can be transmitted to an electronic computing device using a wired connection. In this case, the strain gauge probe contains an indenter (8), a device for measuring the force of impact on the patella during palpation, direct contact with the surface of the measured object.

[0027] The calibration tool allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the strain gauge using, for example, calibration tests.

[0028] The strain gauge unit consists of strain gages and a gain board.

[0029] The strain gauges are located in the elastic element of the strain gauge, which is acted upon by the indenter (8) under pressure on the patella. The best circuit, in this case, is a bridge circuit, which allows you to fix the slightest changes in the conductivity of the strain gauges. With increased sensitivity, a gradual increase in the force of pressure on the patella is possible, which prevents the occurrence of pain in the joint. Other options for the location of strain gages, which are obvious to a specialist, are also possible. Strain gages can be replaced with a device different in content, but similar in function. To increase the sensitivity of fixing changes in the electrical resistance of the strain gages, an amplification board can be used.

[0030] Any devices known for these purposes can be used as markers (4), for example, an optical passive marker reflecting infrared light sent to it from the video camera, optical active markers that independently emit light, the image of which will be transmitted by the video camera to the electronic - a computing device with software, magnetic markers that interact with a video camera-receiver, gyroscopic or inertial markers. It is necessary to use at least 2 markers, which are located on the strain gauge. The distance between the markers is pre-recorded on the strain gauge, which allows the software to calculate the angles of exposure and the movement of the patella during palpation. At the same time, it is possible to use a larger number of markers on the strain gauge, for example, to increase the accuracy of determining the movement of the patella and orientation angles by eliminating the marker missing from the camera view.

[0031] It is also possible to position at least one marker (4) above the knee joint and at least one below. In this case, the markers (4) are designed to form a conditional axis of orientation, with the help of which the software will receive information about the movement of the patella, while the conditional axis of orientation should be projected through the axis of rotation of the limb. This embodiment of the technical solution is possible, but not the best. We also note that the limb can be the leg of a mammalian animal, the structure of the limb, in particular the knee joint, which has anthropometric and anatomical similarities to the structure of the human knee joint. In the obvious implementation, the human leg is taken as a limb.

[0032] The use of markers on the limb is not a prerequisite for the implementation of the proposed technical solution, but contributes to the achievement of the technical result by increasing the accuracy of the measurements.

[0033] The claimed technical solution may also include a limb fixation system (6), which may include a compressor, pillows and a control board. The limb can be fixed in the pillow and is adjusted by the operator, the person performing palpation using the interface of the electronic information display device (5), the adjustment of the limb fixation system. The fixation system is designed to prevent rotation and displacement of the entire limb when palpating the patella with a strain gauge probe (1). As a result, accuracy is achieved in measuring the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus.

[0034] Any devices suitable for these purposes, for example, computers, can be used as the electronic computing device (7). In this case, an electronic computing device (7) can be located inside a single housing (9) of a device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus. In this case, the connection of third-party electronic devices is not required, the software of which may be unsuitable for implementation, and also completely absent from the availability for use.

[0035] As a video camera (2) can be used any device suitable for this purpose, having sufficient quality for capturing the image of the knee joint. Additionally, video cameras can contain a source of infrared radiation, or can be made as a receiver. In the preferred implementation of the device, two video cameras (2) are used, displaying the frontal plane of the knee joint, which makes it possible to carry out calculations taking into account the image of the displacement of the markers (4) of the strain gauge (1) at minimal financial costs. Also, several video cameras (2) can be used, placed around the knee joint and allowing, when two markers (4) are placed on the limb (above and below the knee joint), to determine the rotation about the axis of rotation. Video cameras (2) are located on a tripod (3) so as to transmit (broadcast) images of the knee joint of the leg in the frontal plane, and being above it. In this case, the tripod (3) can be made in the form of a ring with LEDs around the circumference, which performs the function of illuminating the knee joint of the leg to increase the operational capabilities of video cameras.

[0036] The device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus comprises an electronic means for displaying information (5), made, for example, in the form of a monitor. This electronic means of displaying information facilitates the prompt receipt of processed and processed data on the force of impact on the patella, the orientation angle of the strain gauge probe (1), its inclination, rigidity of the patellar ligamentous apparatus, etc. That is, due to the timely display of information, the operator can adjust the force and angle of exposure during palpation.

[0037] The electronic information display means (5) can be located on a tripod (10) with the possibility of changing the height of the location. This capability also makes it easier for the individual operator to work, thereby increasing measurement accuracy.

[0038] All elements of the claimed device are in functional and constructive unity. The limb fixation system (6) is installed in a single housing (9), which also has a groove (11) for the location and storage of the strain gauge probe (1), inside the housing (9) there is an electronic computing device (7), video cameras (2) and electronic means of information display (7) are also fixed on tripods located on a single body (9).

[0039] The operation of the device, that is, the implementation of the method occurs as follows. The operator places the limb in the field of view of the video camera. In this case, the review of a video camera means the entire broadcast scene, determined by the characteristics of the video camera. Additionally, markers can be fixed above and below the knee joint by the operator. Also, the limb can be additionally fixed in the fixation system. In this case, the video camera broadcasts the image of the knee joint, also in the case of the position on the leg with markers. A strain gauge probe with two markers located on it is introduced into the field of view of the video cameras, the patella is palpated with a strain gauge probe, and the displacement measurement begins at the moment when the strain gauge probe starts to load. The software located on the electronic computing device, based on the transmitted image, determines the movement of the patella taking into account the known distance of the markers between each other on the strain gauge, as well as using the data (electrical resistance, and in some cases the angles of orientation and inclination) obtained from strain gauge, calculates the force exerted on the joint. Taking into account the obtained indicators of patellar displacement and force, the software calculates the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus as the ratio of force to displacement. The result obtained is displayed on an electronic display of information. Also, this device can display information about the movement of the patella, the angle of exposure, as well as the force exerted on the patella. In this case, the limb is preliminarily fixed in the limb fixation system in the field of view of the video cameras.

[0040] In the present application materials, a preferred disclosure of the implementation of the claimed technical solution is presented, which should not be used as limiting other, particular embodiments of its implementation, which do not go beyond the scope of the claimed scope of legal protection and are obvious to specialists in the relevant field of technology.

Claims (11)

1. A device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus, consisting of: - a body, a limb fixation device located in it, a strain gauge probe on which two markers are located, an electronic computing device, - two video cameras attached to the body, fixed on a tripod, as well as an electronic means of displaying information, while the electronic computing device is configured to determine the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus using the software located in it. 2. The device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the marker is a point light source. 3. A device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the strain gauge includes an indenter, a strain gauge unit, a data collection board, a battery with a charging board, and a calibration equipment. 4. The device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the strain gauge probe contains a reinforcement board. 5. The device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the strain gauge probe contains a gyroscope, a magnetometer and an accelerometer. 6. A device for determining the rigidity of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the limb fixation means includes a compressor, pillows, and a control board. 7. The device for determining the stiffness of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic means of displaying information is located on a tripod. 8. The device for determining the rigidity of the patellar ligamentous apparatus according to claim. 1, characterized in that it is made with the possibility of adjusting the height of the location of the electronic display of information on the tripod.

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