Devices, Systems and Methods for Measuring and Evaluating the Motion and Function of Joints and Associated Muscles

Abstract

Apparatuses are disclosed that is adapted and configured to cause and control joint motion of a patient. Apparatuses comprise, for example, a first motion member configured to engage a patient proximal to a target joint; a second motion member configured to engage a patient distal to a target joint; and a coupling member configured to connect the first motion member to the second motion member and further adapted to allow rotation of the first and second motion member around an axis, wherein the apparatus is engageable with a medical diagnostic device and further configured to capture patient specific data.

1 . An apparatus adapted and configured to cause and control joint motion of a patient comprising:
 a) a first motion member configured to engage a patient proximal to a target joint;   c) a second motion member configured to engage a patient distal to a target joint; and   d) a coupling member configured to connect the first motion member to the second motion member and further adapted to allow rotation of the first and second motion member around an axis,   
       wherein the apparatus is engageable with a medical diagnostic device and further configured to capture patient specific data. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medical diagnostic device is selected from the group consisting of X-ray scanner, X-ray tube with image intensifier tube, magnetic resonance scanner, infrared camera, computed tomography scanner, ultrasound scanner, electromyography sensor unit, digital camera and camera. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medical diagnostic device is detachably engaged. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medical diagnostic device is an electromyography sensor unit with sensors attached to the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the medical diagnostic device further comprises at least one sensor for capturing patient specific data. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a motion control device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a collimator. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the collimator is a dynamic collimator. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising a motion controller, wherein the collimator is moveable and adapted to differing geometries during a motion controlled by the motion controller. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus is adaptable to engage a posture assistance device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the coupling member is adaptable to allow translation. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a motion controller adapted to control a motion of the first and second motion member relative to the axis. 
     
     
         13 . A process for capturing data and controlling skeletal joint motion of a patient comprising:
 (a) providing an apparatus adapted and configured to selectively cause and control joint motion of a patient having a first motion member configured to engage a patient proximal to a target joint; a second motion member configured to engage a patient distal to a target joint; and a coupling member configured to connect the first motion member to the second motion member and further adapted to allow rotation of the first and second motion member around an axis, wherein the apparatus is engageable with a medical diagnostic device further configured to capture patient specific data;   (b) positioning the patient in a position such that the target joint of the patient is at first position within a field of view;   (c) capturing, with a medical diagnostic device, a first diagnostic data from the patient and the apparatus;   (d) repositioning the apparatus such that the subject is placed in a second position different from the first position within the field of view; and   (e) capturing, with the medical diagnostic device, second diagnostic data from the patient and the apparatus in the second position.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the data capturing steps further comprise use of a medical diagnostic device selected from the group consisting of X-ray scanner, X-ray tube with image intensifier tube, magnetic resonance scanner, infrared camera, computed tomography scanner, ultrasound scanner, electromyography sensor unit, digital camera and camera. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the data capturing steps further comprise use of an electromyography sensor unit with sensors attached to the subject. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein diagnostic data from the subject further comprises capturing data from at least one sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of administering a pharmaceutically active substance to the subject prior to capturing the first diagnostic data. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the pharmaceutically active substance is an opioid substance. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 17 , wherein the pharmaceutically active substance is a muscle relaxant drug selected from the group consisting of baclofen, carisoprodol, chlorphenesin, chloroxazone, cyclobenzaprine, dantrolone, diazepam, metaxalone, methcarbamol and orphenadrine. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the pharmaceutically active substance is a non-opioid analgesic. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein the non-opioid analgesic is fentanyl. 
     
     
         22 . A system for controlling motion of a target joint during a medical diagnostic procedure comprising:
 an apparatus adapted and configured to selectively cause and control joint motion of a patient having a first motion member configured to engage a patient proximal to a target joint; a second motion member configured to engage a patient distal to a target joint; and a coupling member configured to connect the first motion member to the second motion member and further adapted to allow rotation of the first and second motion member around an axis, wherein the apparatus is adapted and configured to engage a medical diagnostic device further configured to capture patient specific data; and   of a medical diagnostic device selected from the group consisting of X-ray scanner, X-ray tube with image intensifier tube, magnetic resonance scanner, infrared camera, computed tomography scanner, ultrasound scanner, electromyography sensor unit, digital camera and camera,   
       wherein the target joint can be maintained in a field of view by moving the medical diagnostic device, the apparatus, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus adapted and configured to cause and control joint motion of a patient comprising:
 a) a first motion member configured to engage a patient proximal to a target joint;   c) a second motion member configured to engage a patient distal to a target joint and in moveable communication with the first motion member; and   d) a collimator in communication with the first and second motions members to provide an indication of movement of the first motion member relative to the second motion member during motion of the joint,   
       wherein the apparatus is engageable with a medical diagnostic device and further configured to capture patient specific data. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the medical diagnostic device is selected from the group consisting of X-ray scanner, X-ray tube with image intensifier tube, magnetic resonance scanner, infrared camera, computed tomography scanner, ultrasound scanner, electromyography sensor unit, digital camera and camera. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the medical diagnostic device is detachably engaged. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the medical diagnostic device is an electromyography sensor unit with sensors attached to the subject. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the medical diagnostic device further comprises at least one sensor for capturing patient specific data. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a motion control device. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the collimator is a dynamic collimator. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 23  further comprising a motion controller, wherein the collimator is moveable and adapted to differing geometries during a motion controlled by the motion controller. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the apparatus is adaptable to engage a posture assistance device. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein the coupling member is adaptable to allow translation. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 23  further comprising a motion controller adapted to control a motion of the first and second motion member relative to the axis.