Orthopedic system for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative assessment

Abstract

An orthopedic system configured for use in a pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative assessment. The orthopedic system comprises a first screw, a second screw, a first device, a second device, and a computer. The first device and the second device are respectively coupled to a first bone and a second bone of a musculoskeletal system. The first and second devices each include electronic circuitry, one or more sensors, and an IMU. A bracket, wrap, or sleeve can be used to hold the first and second devices to the musculoskeletal system. The first and second devices are configured to send measurement data to a computer. The first and second devices each have an antenna system. Electronic circuitry in the first or second devices are configured to harvest energy from a received radio frequency signal to recharge a battery to maintain operation.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An orthopedic system for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative measurement comprising:
 a first screw configured to couple to a first bone of a musculoskeletal system,
 wherein the first screw includes a first inertial measurement unit, 
 wherein the first screw is configured to harvest energy from a first radio frequency signal, and 
 wherein the first inertial measurement unit configured to measure movement or location of the first screw; 
   a second screw configured to couple to a second bone of the musculoskeletal system,
 wherein the second screw includes a second inertial measurement unit, 
 wherein the second screw is configured to harvest energy from a second radio frequency signal, and 
 wherein the second inertial measurement unit is configured to measure movement or location of the second screw; 
   a first device configured to transmit at least one of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal; and   a computer configured to receive measurement data from the first screw or the second screw.   
     
     
         22 . The orthopedic system of  claim 21 , wherein the first inertial measurement unit and the second inertial measurement unit are zeroed relative to gravity, wherein the first inertial measurement unit and the second inertial measurement unit are zeroed relative to each other, and wherein the first inertial measurement unit and the second inertial measurement unit are each configured to transmit measurement data to the computer. 
     
     
         23 . The orthopedic system of  claim 22 , wherein the computer is configured to store a position of the first screw relative to the first bone, wherein the computer is configured to store a position of the second screw relative to the second bone, and wherein the computer is configured to calculate a position of the first bone relative to the second bone in real-time from the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw. 
     
     
         24 . The orthopedic system of  claim 21 , wherein the first device is configured to be placed in a brace or wrap and is configured to couple to skin via the brace or wrap. 
     
     
         25 . The orthopedic system of  claim 21 , further comprising a second device configured to (i) couple to skin and (ii) transmit at least one of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal; wherein an adhesive system of the first device is configured to couple the first device to the skin and wherein an adhesive system of the second device is configured to couple the second device to the skin. 
     
     
         26 . The orthopedic system of  claim 22 , wherein the computer is configured to report position, motion, or rotation of the first bone or the second bone using the measurement data from the first screw or the measurement data from the second screw, and wherein the position, motion, or rotation of the first bone or the second bone is configured to be displayed on a display. 
     
     
         27 . The orthopedic system of  claim 21 , wherein the orthopedic system is configured to be used preoperatively to generate pre-operative measurement data using the first screw and the second screw, wherein the pre-operative measurement data is related to the first bone and the second bone, and wherein the computer is configured to use the pre-operative measurement data to support a surgical solution. 
     
     
         28 . The orthopedic system of  claim 21 , wherein the orthopedic system is configured to be used postoperatively to generate post-operative measurement data during a rehabilitation process, wherein the post-operative measurement data is configured to be displayed to indicate progress in the rehabilitation, wherein the computer is configured to adjust a regimen for rehabilitation based on the post-operative measurement data, and wherein the post-operative measurement data from the first screw and the second screw is configured to be used by the computer in an assessment to determine resumption of normal activities. 
     
     
         29 . The orthopedic system of  claim 21 , wherein the first bone is a femur and the second bone is a tibia, wherein the computer is configured to assess a knee joint of a leg using the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw, wherein the computer is configured to record a range of motion, full extension, flexion, and rotation of the knee joint from the measurement data of the first screw and the measurement data of the second screw as the leg is moved through one or more different motions. 
     
     
         30 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the computer is configured to measure a translation and a displacement of at least one bone relative to the first screw and the second screw using the measurement data. 
     
     
         31 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the computer is configured to analyze motion of the tibia using the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw. 
     
     
         32 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the computer is configured for preoperative monitoring of the knee joint, wherein the computer is configured to use the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw to measure gait mechanics, and wherein the computer is configured to use the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw to support a rehabilitation program or a surgical solution. 
     
     
         33 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the computer is configured for postoperative monitoring of the knee joint using the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw, wherein the computer is configured to monitor progress of a post-operative exercise regimen using the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw, and wherein the computer is configured to provide feedback on progress on a post-operative exercise regime based on the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw. 
     
     
         34 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the computer is configured to receive measurement data associated with an extension maneuver of the leg and an applied resistance. 
     
     
         35 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the computer is configured to monitor movement of the leg using the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw, wherein the computer is configured to assess gait mechanics, and wherein the computer is configured to provide an improvement plan based on the measurement data from the first screw and the measurement data from the second screw. 
     
     
         36 . The orthopedic system of  claim 29 , wherein the first screw and the second screw provide first measurement data to the computer related to one or more predetermined leg tests, and wherein the first measurement data relates to at least one of range of motion, balance, stability, rotation, graft adherence, proprioception, gait mechanics or muscle strength. 
     
     
         37 . An orthopedic system for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative application comprising:
 a first screw configured to couple to a first bone of a musculoskeletal system, wherein the first screw includes a first antenna system, the first screw is configured to harvest energy from a first radio frequency signal received by the first antenna system;   a second screw configured to couple to a second bone of the musculoskeletal system, wherein the second screw includes a second antenna system, the second screw is configured to harvest energy from a second radio frequency signal received by the second antenna system; and   a first device configured to couple to skin and transmit at least one of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal.   
     
     
         38 . The orthopedic system of  claim 37 , wherein the first screw is equipped with a first inertial measurement unit and the second screw is equipped with a second inertial measurement unit, each inertial measurement unit being zeroed relative to the other inertial measurement unit, and wherein each screw is configured to transmit measurement data related to a position, motion, and rotation of the first bone and the second bone to a computer. 
     
     
         39 . The orthopedic system of  claim 37 , wherein the first device is further configured to be attached to the skin via a brace or wrap, and the orthopedic system further comprises a computer configured to calculate and display a position of the first bone relative to the second bone in real-time. 
     
     
         40 . An orthopedic system for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative measurement comprising:
 a first screw configured to couple to a first bone of a musculoskeletal system, wherein the first screw is (i) configured to harvest energy from a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) configured to measure movement or location of the first screw;   a second screw configured to couple to a second bone of the musculoskeletal system, the second screw is (iii) configured to harvest energy from a second radio frequency signal, and (iv) configured to measure movement or location of the second screw;   a first device configured to transmit at least one of the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal; and   a computer configured to receive measurement data from the first screw or the second screw.