Patent ID: 7769422
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for monitoring the position of an orthopaedic prosthesis implanted in a body of a patient, the apparatus comprising: a patient support platform configured to support a patient in a standing position, the patient support platform including a top planar surface; a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform and configured to generate data signals in response to an output signal received from a signal source coupled to the orthopaedic prosthesis implanted in the body of the patient while the patient is supported by the patient support platform in the standing position, the sensory array including (i) a first directional antenna having a first boresight, (ii) a second directional antenna having a second boresight, (iii) a third directional antenna having a third boresight, each of the first, second, and third boresights being coplanar with each other, and (iv) a fourth directional antenna having a fourth boresight that is non-coplanar with the first, second, and third boresights, each of the first, second, third, and fourth boresights being directed toward a common volume of space; a jig coupled to the patient support platform and comprising a first patient securing member located a first distance above the patient support platform and a second securing member located a second distance above the patient support platform substantially equal to the first distance, the first and second patient securing members being positionable to apply pressure in opposing directions to a portion of the body of the patient to secure the portion of the body of the patient (i) in a fixed position relative to the sensor array and (ii) within the common volume while the patient is standing on the patient support platform, the portion of the body of the patient having the orthopaedic prosthesis implanted therein; and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array and configured to determine the position of the orthopaedic prosthesis based on the data signals received from the sensor array.