SUMMARY
In a first aspect, a system for obtaining a restored bone profile of a foot is provided. The system comprises a surface for receiving a plantar surface of the foot; and a pin matrix comprising a plurality of individual pins which can be independently raised from the surface to engage the plantar surfaces and compress tissue against bones of the foot.
In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of drivers for the pins, wherein the drivers are coupled to the individual pins to raise each individual pin at a known or controlled pressure. In some embodiments, the drivers each comprise a piston driven by a pressure source. In certain embodiments, a common pressure source is connected to each of the pistons. In other embodiments, a plurality of pressure sources with at least one pressure source are connected to each piston.
The drivers, in one embodiment, comprise a servo-controlled motor adapted to raise an associated pin by preselected distances. In other embodiments, the drivers comprise a constant force spring.
In other embodiments, the pin matrix includes from one to four rows of pins which are configured to span a lateral band of the plantar surface. In one embodiment, the lateral band has a width in the range from 0.5 cm to 2 cm.
In one embodiment, the system further comprises a carriage which holds the pin rows, wherein the carriage is mounted to be translated across the surface to sequentially engage the pins against successive lateral bands.
In another embodiment, the system further comprises a plurality of sensors for determining a penetration depth of each pin as said pin is raised upward from the surface. In still another embodiment, the system further comprises a controller connected to the drivers, carriage, and sensors. In various embodiments, the controller is programmed to sequentially position the carriage, raise the pins against the tissue at one or more pressures at each sequential carriage position, and collect the depth of pin penetration into the tissue at each pressure and each position. In another embodiment, the system further comprises sensors for determining a penetration pressure of each pin as said pin is raised upward from the surface, wherein the pressure sensors are connected to the controller.
In another aspect, systems for design of an orthotic device are provided. Such systems can comprise a platform comprising a plurality of independently moveable gauging elements in contact with a foot placed on the platform; a display capable of displaying a digital anatomy of the foot; and a computer program for analysis of the digital anatomy and evaluation of the relationship between two or more bones in the foot, and for determining an adjustment to one or more gauging elements in the platform (or bed).
In one embodiment the computer program can obtain the digital anatomy upon application of pressure to one or more gauging elements in the bed when in contact with the foot.
In another embodiment, the system can comprise one or more subsequent analyses of a digital anatomy to re-evaluate the relationship between two or more bones in the foot over time. The computer program can determine an adjustment of one or more gauging elements in the bed for repositioning of one or more bones in the foot, and can send a signal to one or more of the moveable gauging elements to move the one or more gauging elements to an adjusted position. The bed having adjusted gauging element(s) can be used to design and/or fabricate an orthotic device for repositioning of at least one bones in the foot. In one embodiment, a tarsal bone or a metatarsal bone is repositioned.
In other embodiments, the system can comprise a means for transmitting the digital anatomy to a remote location. In other embodiments, the computer program can comprise executable instructions that obtain a digital anatomy of a foot; analyze the digital anatomy to evaluate the relationship between two or more bones in the foot; determine an adjustment to one or more tarsal bones; and send a signal to one or more moveable gauging elements on the bed to effect movement of one or more gauging elements to fabricate an orthotic device for achieving the repositioning of one or more bones.
In yet another embodiment, the system for design of an orthotic device can comprise a bed for contacting a foot; a display capable of displaying digital anatomy of the foot; and a computer program, for analysis of the digital anatomy and evaluation of the relationship between two or more bones in the foot, and for determining an adjustment to one or more bones in the foot.
Also provided is a method performed in a computing system, comprising obtaining pressure and/or elevation data from gauging elements in contact with a patient's foot when placed upon a foot bed; converting the pressure and elevation data to a graphic image of a digital anatomy for display and recording on a computer readable medium; analyzing the digital anatomy for congruency of one or more joints in the patient's foot; comparing an initial bone state to a desired restored bone state; computing a movement path between the initial bone state and the desired restored bone state according to minimum movements criteria; and determining adjustments of the gauging elements needed to move one or more bones along the movement path. In some embodiments, the method further comprises persistently storing the determined adjustments. In some embodiments, the method further comprises moving the gauging elements in accordance with the determined adjustments.
In one embodiment, the foot bed is on a movable carriage, and a plurality of gauging elements on the carriage contact a foot held in a static position, the plurality of gauging elements moving progressively from heel to toe or vice versa, to obtain a digital image of the foot.
Also described in another aspect is a method for design of an orthotic device, in which a digital anatomy of a patient's foot is obtained and analyzed using the system described herein, and a relationship between two or more bones in the foot evaluated, resulting in the identification of one or more tarsal bones for repositioning by the orthotic devices.
Click to expand...