Method and Device for Ordering a Custom Orthopedic Device

Abstract

A method and device for digital measuring and ordering a custom orthopedic device includes an interactive method intended to assist clinicians select, measure and submit precise specifications for patients requiring custom orthopedic devices. The method includes a plurality of menus permitting the clinician to input specifications and submit orders electronically with the specifications and other data packaged together. The method and device include visualization indications to appropriately ensure image capture of a limb from various angles, including posterior, anterior, lateral and medial angles.

1 . A method of ordering a custom orthopedic device for a joint, comprising the steps of:
 aligning a viewfinder image displayed on a screen and generated by an image sensor of a portable device with at least one predetermined portion of a limb including a joint;   capturing and storing at least one image of the portion of the limb using the image sensor of the portable device based on at least one guideline;   associating the at least one captured image with measurements of the limb, and patient information entered into the portable device; and   transmitting an order containing the at least one captured image, the measurements of the limb, and the patient information from the portable device to a provider;   wherein the at least one guideline is at least one of a depth of field guideline, a horizontal orientation guideline, a vertical orientation guideline, a tilt guideline, or a limb alignment guideline.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one image of the limb satisfies the depth of field guideline, the horizontal or the vertical orientation guideline, the tilt angle guideline, and the limb alignment guideline. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the limb alignment guideline is a depth of field guideline overlaid on the viewfinder image, the depth of field guideline being a reference frame for a first distance above a joint, a second distance below a joint, and a centering of the limb and joint in the captured image. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second distances are the same and referenced from a knee axis line. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of:
 aligning the distances above and below the joint with the depth of field guideline shown in the viewfinder image before capturing the image.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein once the orientation of the portable device relative to the limb satisfies the horizontal angle guideline or vertical angle guideline and the tilt angle guideline, the portable device enables image capture. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 calibrating the image sensor of the portable device.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 executing an ordering application;   determining whether the ordering application has been previously executed;   upon the determination that the ordering application has not been previously executed, calibrating the image sensor of the portable device; and   upon the determination that the ordering application has been previously executed, enabling capture of the image of the limb.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 reviewing the captured image of the limb; and   selecting a custom orthopedic device configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of reviewing the captured image of the limb, comprises the steps of:
 viewing the captured image with an overlaid depth of field guideline to confirm the captured portion of the limb satisfies the overlaid depth of field guideline;   entering basic patient information into the portable device, wherein the basic patient information includes measurements of the limb at various locations on the limb;   overlaying the captured image with the basic patient information; and   storing the overlaid captured image in the portable device.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 configuring the custom orthopedic device;   reviewing the order; and   storing the order in a memory of the portable device.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one previous order is stored in the memory of the portable device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the order is transmitted as an e-mail containing the patient information and the saved, captured image of the limb. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint is a knee joint and the orthopedic device is a knee brace. 
     
     
         15 . A device for ordering a custom orthopedic device, comprising:
 an image sensor, the image sensor configured to capture an image;   a display;   a gyroscope and/or accelerometer;   a communication interface;   a processor; and   a memory;   wherein the processor is configured to enable capturing an image of a portion of a limb including a joint using the image sensor based on at least one guideline, wherein the image of the limb satisfies the at least one guideline;   wherein the gyroscope and/or accelerometer is configured to provide orientation data to the processor;   wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit an order containing the captured image and patient information from the apparatus over a network to a provider; and   wherein the at least one guideline is at least one of a depth of field guideline, a horizontal orientation guideline, a vertical orientation guideline, a tilt guideline, or a limb alignment guideline.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the limb alignment guideline is a depth of field guideline overlaid on a viewfinder image, the depth of field guideline being a reference frame for a first distance above a joint, a second distance below a joint, and a centering of the limb and joint in the captured image. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to provide an indication of the orientation of the device on the display. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to calibrate the image sensor by setting the image sensor to a first resolution and a first zoom level. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one image of markings or reference points on the limb is captured. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising: generating a three-dimensional model of the limb from the markings.