Bone fixation method

Abstract

A method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a first parameter indicative of the load on said bone fracture; measuring a second parameter indicative of the activity level of said individual; obtaining a plurality of values for said first and second parameters; correlating said values to determine a measure of bone fracture condition; monitoring a change in said correlation over time; and determining a measure of the change in bone fracture condition over time. A bone fixation system implements this method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual. The method and system provide a more accurate and reliable measure of bone fracture condition and of the progression of healing of the bone fracture.

1 . A method of monitoring a bone fracture in an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
 measuring a first parameter indicative of a load on said bone fracture;   measuring a second parameter indicative of an activity level of said individual;   obtaining a plurality of values for said first and second parameters;   correlating said values to determine a measure of a bone fracture condition;   monitoring a change in said correlation over time; and   determining a measure of the change in bone fracture condition over time.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said first parameter is any one of: interfragmentary movement; deformation; acceleration; pressure; strain; and any combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said second parameter is any one of: hip movement; acceleration; orientation; and any combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the steps of:
 measuring a third parameter associated with said bone fracture; 
 obtaining a plurality of values for said third parameter; 
 correlating said values for said third parameter with said values for said first and second parameters to determine a measure of bone fracture condition; 
 monitoring a change in said correlation over time; and 
 determining a measure of the change in the bone fracture condition over time. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4  wherein said third parameter is any one of: temperature; lactic acid level; hip movement; acceleration; orientation; strain; pressure; oxygen level; tension; and any combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein on measuring at least one of said parameters to obtain a value, the method further comprises the step of: comparing said at least one measured parameter value to at least one threshold value; and activating an indicating means when said at least one threshold value is exceeded. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein determining a measure of the change in bone fracture condition over time further comprises the step of: comparing said correlated data with pre-determined data typical of healing bone fractures. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein said pre-determined data comprises at least one of average, upper and lower boundaries for values of said correlated data typical of healing bone fractures. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the step of: providing an output based on at least one of said determinations. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9  wherein providing an output involves providing feedback on at least one of: whether the bone fracture is healing; the progression of healing of the bone fracture; predicting the endpoint of the healing process; whether a problem has developed with the bone fracture; whether the patient is not active enough or is too active. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein predicting the endpoint of the healing process comprises the steps of:
 extrapolating said correlated data to a point representing a healed bone fracture based on said pre-determined data; and 
 calculating a time period over which the fracture can be expected to reach said point. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the method further comprises the steps of: detecting whether there is a problem associated with a bone fixator applied to the bone fracture based on at least one of said determinations; and, if a problem is detected, identifying said problem and sending feedback commands to an actuation means for manipulating said bone fixator based on the identified problem. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12  wherein the steps of identifying said problem, sending feedback commands and manipulating said bone fixator, are automatically controlled. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of the steps are implemented with a bone fixation system comprising a bone fixator, a first sensor, a second sensor and a processing means.