Apparatus and method for monitoring the position of an orthopaedic prosthesis

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for determining a position of an orthopaedic prosthesis includes a patient support platform, a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array. The sensor array is configured to generate data signals in response to an output signal of a signal source(s) coupled to the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or a bone of the patient. The controller is configured to determine a position of the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or the bone of the patient based on the data signals.

1 . A system for monitoring the position of an implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, the system comprising:
 a patient support platform configured to support a patient in a standing position,   a first signal source coupled to the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, the first signal source being configured to generate a first output signal when the patient is standing on the patient support platform,   a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform at a predetermined position and configured to generate data signals in response to the first output signal received from the first signal source, and   a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array and configured to (i) determine a present position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis based on the data signals received from the sensor array, (ii) retrieve position data indicative of a previously determined position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis from a storage device, and (iii) contemporaneously display indicia of the present position and the previously determined position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis on a display device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first signal source is a magnetic source. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of magnetic sensors. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first signal source is a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of antennas. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of antennas comprises:
 (i) a plurality of first antennas each of which is positioned substantially coplanar with each other, and   (ii) a second antenna positioned non-coplanar with respect to the plurality of first antennas.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine a location of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis with respect to the patient support platform. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second signal source coupled to a first component of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis and configured to generate a second output signal when the patient is standing on the patient support platform, wherein:
 (i) the first signal source is coupled to a second component of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, and   (ii) the controller is configured to determine the position of the first component and the second component of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis with respect to each other based on the data signals received from the sensor array in response to the first output signal and the second output signal.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second signal source configured to be coupled to a bone of the patient and generate a second output signal when the patient is standing on the patient support platform, wherein the controller is configured to determine the position of the bone of the patient and the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis with respect to each other based on the data signals received from the sensor array in response to the first output signal and the second output signal. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means for securing a leg of the patient in a substantially non-ambulatory position relative to the sensor array. 
     
     
         11 . A system for monitoring the position of an implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, the system comprising:
 a patient support platform configured to support a patient in a standing position,   a first signal source coupled to the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, the first signal source being configured to generate a first output signal when the patient is standing on the patient support platform,   a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform at a predetermined position and configured to generate data signals in response to the first output signal received from the first signal source,   a display device coupled to the patient support platform, and   a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array and the display device, the controller including a processor and a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:   determine a present position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis based on the data signals received from the sensor array,   retrieve position data indicative of a previously determined position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis from the memory device, and   contemporaneously display indicia of the present position and the previously determined position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis on the display device.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first signal source is a magnetic source and the sensor array comprises a plurality of magnetic sensors. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first signal source is a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the sensor array comprises a plurality of antennas. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of antennas comprises:
 (i) a plurality of first antennas each of which is positioned substantially coplanar with each other, and   (ii) a second antenna positioned non-coplanar with respect to the plurality of first antennas.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a location of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis with respect to the patient support platform. 
     
     
         17 . A system for monitoring the position of an implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, the system comprising:
 a patient support platform configured to support a patient in a standing position,   a support frame secured to the patient support platform configured to be graspable by the patient while the patient is supported by the patient support platform in the standing position,   a signal source secured to the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, the signal source being configured to generate an output signal when the patient is standing on the patient support platform,   a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform at a predetermined position and configured to generate data signals in response to the output signal received from the signal source, and   a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array and configured to (i) determine a present position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis based on the data signals received from the sensor array, (ii) retrieve position data indicative of a previously determined position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis from a storage device, and (iii) contemporaneously display indicia of the present position and the previously determined position of the implantable orthopaedic prosthesis on a display device.