Computer-implemented questionnaire for orthopedic treatment

Abstract

A treatment apparatus includes a machine configured to be manipulated by a patient to perform a regimen for rehabilitation and one or more internal sensors configured to generate data indicating performance of the regimen by the patient. The machine is configured to receive at least one of a first input from a clinician interface and a second input from a patient interface. The first input corresponds to a prompt, presented on the clinician interface, to modify the regimen based on the data indicating performance of the regimen and the second input corresponds to at least one response to a plurality of questions, presented on the patient interface, pertaining to a current or past physical condition of the patient. The machine is further configured, responsive to the at least one of the first input and the second input, to selectively stop or prevent operation of the machine by the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A treatment apparatus, comprising:
 a machine configured to be manipulated by a patient to perform a regimen for rehabilitation of the patient, wherein the regimen corresponds to a regimen for a body part, the body part comprising at least one of a joint, a bone, and a muscle group; and   one or more internal sensors configured to generate data indicating performance of the regimen by the patient,   wherein the machine is configured to:
 receive at least one of a first input from a clinician interface and a second input from a patient interface, wherein (i) the first input corresponds to a prompt, presented on the clinician interface, to modify the regimen, wherein the modification of the regimen is based on the data indicating performance of the regimen and (ii) the second input corresponds to at least one response to a plurality of questions, presented on the patient interface, pertaining to a current or past physical condition of the patient, and 
 responsive to the at least one of the first input and the second input, selectively stop or prevent operation of the machine by the patient. 
   
     
     
         2 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the regimen is a physical rehabilitation regimen for improving strength or range of motion of the body part. 
     
     
         3 . A system comprising the treatment apparatus of  claim 1  and further comprising the clinician interface, wherein the clinician interface comprises a patient profile display configured to present the data and the prompt. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising the patient interface, the patient interface comprising an output device and an input device for respectively transmitting and receiving, to and from the patient, information regarding the performance of the regimen implemented by using the treatment apparatus, wherein the patient interface is configured to present (i) instructions and status information to the patient regarding the performance of the regimen and (ii) a questionnaire soliciting the patient to answer the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the system is configured to take an action in response to a selected response to one of the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the action comprises transmitting an alert to a clinician. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the alert to the clinician comprises an alert message, the alert message including information relating to the selected response to the one of the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the alert to the clinician comprises a real-time communication to the clinician outside of the clinician interface. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5  wherein, before the action is taken, the patient interface presents a prompt for the patient to confirm the selected response to the one of the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the patient interface and the treatment apparatus are each configured to enable operation of the machine from a patient location geographically separate from a location of the clinician interface. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein predetermined responses to the plurality of questions must be provided before the patient is authorized to use the treatment apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the patient interface comprises a session period action screen configured to present a real-time status of measurements regarding use of the treatment apparatus by the patient, wherein the patient interface generates a triggering event based on the measurements, and wherein the patient interface presents a help display in response to the triggering event. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the help display includes (ii) a first control for the patient to stop using the treatment apparatus or to request additional help in using the treatment apparatus and (ii) a second control for the patient to continue using the treatment apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . The treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more internal sensors include an internal sensor configured to measure at least one of a linear motion and an angular motion of the body part of the patient, and wherein the plurality of questions includes a question based on a measurement by the internal sensor. 
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a treatment apparatus, the treatment apparatus including a machine configured to be manipulated by a patient to perform a regimen for rehabilitation of the patient, wherein the regimen corresponds to a regimen for a body part, the body part including at least one of a joint, a bone, and a muscle group, the method comprising:
 using one or more internal sensors of the treatment apparatus, generating data indicating performance of the regimen by the patient;   receiving, using the machine, at least one of a first input from a clinician interface and a second input from a patient interface, wherein (i) the first input corresponds to a prompt, presented on the clinician interface, to modify the regimen, wherein the modification of the regimen is based on the data indicating performance of the regimen and (ii) the second input corresponds to at least one response to a plurality of questions, presented on the patient interface, pertaining to a current or past physical condition of the patient;   responsive to the at least one of the first input and the second input, selectively stopping or preventing operation of the machine by the patient.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the regimen is a physical rehabilitation regimen for improving strength or range of motion of the body part. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising presenting, on the clinician interface, a patient profile display including the data and the prompt. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, using the patient interface, respectively transmitting and receiving, to and from the patient, information regarding the performance of the regimen implemented by using the treatment apparatus, and presenting (i) instructions and status information to the patient regarding the performance of the regimen and (ii) a questionnaire soliciting the patient to answer the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising taking an action in response to a selected response to one of the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein taking the action comprises transmitting an alert to a clinician. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the alert to the clinician comprises an alert message, the alert message including information relating to the selected response to the one of the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the alert to the clinician comprises a real-time communication to the clinician outside of the clinician interface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising, before the action is taken, presenting, using the patient interface, a prompt for the patient to confirm the selected response to the one of the plurality of questions. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising, using either of the patient interface and the treatment apparatus, enabling operation of the machine from a patient location geographically separate from a location of the clinician interface. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein predetermined responses to the plurality of questions must be provided before the patient is authorized to use the treatment apparatus. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 presenting, using the patient interface, a session period action screen configured to present a real-time status of measurements regarding use of the treatment apparatus by the patient;   using the patient interface, generating a triggering event based on the measurements; and   presenting, using the patient interface, a help display in response to the triggering event.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the help display includes (ii) a first control for the patient to stop using the treatment apparatus or to request additional help in using the treatment apparatus and (ii) a second control for the patient to continue using the treatment apparatus. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more internal sensors include an internal sensor configured to measure at least one of a linear motion and an angular motion of the body part of the patient, and wherein the plurality of questions includes a question based on a measurement by the internal sensor.