Patent ID: 7415381
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: A61B,G01C,G01P

Abstract:
1. A method for evaluating the effect of therapeutic intervention on joint mobility of an intact animal joint, the method comprising: providing said intact animal joint and associated condyles, wherein said joint has an intact synovium and has not been disarticulated; introducing an exogenous agent into said joint; holding a first condyle associated with said joint stationary; setting a pendulum attached to a second condyle associated with said joint into oscillation, said second condyle oscillating relative to said first condyle about a pivot axis of said joint; monitoring angular displacement of said pendulum while oscillating; and determining from said displacement at least one indicium of momentum decay of said pendulum, wherein the determination, from said at least one indicium, of a decrease in said momentum decay of said pendulum in said treated joint relative to momentum decay in a non-treated joint indicates said exogenous agent improves joint mobility.