US5779651A — Medical apparatus for the diagnosis of cartilage …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 97 words

A medical apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two spaced apart point electrodes fixed to a solid surface and exposed for contact with a cartilage to be analyzed, each said electrodes measuring streaming potentials in such cartilage; b) means for compressing said electrodes and cartilage together; c) signal processing means for processing signals received from the electrodes; and d) means for analytical interpretation of data received from said signal processing means, and wherein said medical apparatus allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potentials measured between said electrodes.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 97 words

A medical apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two spaced apart point electrodes fixed to a solid surface and exposed for contact with a cartilage to be analyzed, each said electrodes measuring streaming potentials in such cartilage; b) means for compressing said electrodes and cartilage together; c) signal processing means for processing signals received from the electrodes; and d) means for analytical interpretation of data received from said signal processing means, and wherein said medical apparatus allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potentials measured between said electrodes.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 14 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are made of metal wires.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing means are in close proximity to the electrodes for reducing noise pick up and microphonic effects.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 13 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are made of platinum.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The medical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the electrodes are point electrodes having a surface of platinum wire exposed to the cartilage, said exposed surface being treated to reduce electrical contact impedance.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for processing comprises a voltage follower having a high input impedance and a low bias current to maximize rejection of common-modes of measured differential voltages between adjacent electrodes.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for supplying a compressive displacement of the electrodes is selected from electromechanical, piezoelectric or manual means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes have a diameter smaller than 500 μm.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The medical apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electrodes have a diameter smaller than 100 μm.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least three electrodes, wherein said at least three electrodes define two dimensions from which data are to be analyzed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are capable of spatially resolving streaming potentials at a resolution of about 0.38 mm.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

The medical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the metal wires are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of iridium, platinum and gold.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 181 words

An arthroscopic apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two platinum point electrodes, immobilized on a solid surface for measuring the streaming potentials of cartilage; b) an abutment surface recessed from the electrodes for allowing the electrodes to be pressed in the cartilage until said cartilage abuts against the surface; c) a front-end signal processor located in close proximity to the electrodes and comprising a voltage follower having a high input impedance and a low bias current to process signals received from the electrodes and maximize rejection of common-modes of measured differential voltages between adjacent electrodes, said processor reducing noise pick up and microphonic effects; and d) a means for analytical interpretation of data received from the processor for comparing the data received with other stored data obtained from given tissues affected by osteoarthritis at a given degree, and wherein said apparatus is sized and shaped to be introduced in an arthroscopic opening of about 2 to 6 mm of diameter and allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potential between the electrodes.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 181 words

An arthroscopic apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two platinum point electrodes, immobilized on a solid surface for measuring the streaming potentials of cartilage; b) an abutment surface recessed from the electrodes for allowing the electrodes to be pressed in the cartilage until said cartilage abuts against the surface; c) a front-end signal processor located in close proximity to the electrodes and comprising a voltage follower having a high input impedance and a low bias current to process signals received from the electrodes and maximize rejection of common-modes of measured differential voltages between adjacent electrodes, said processor reducing noise pick up and microphonic effects; and d) a means for analytical interpretation of data received from the processor for comparing the data received with other stored data obtained from given tissues affected by osteoarthritis at a given degree, and wherein said apparatus is sized and shaped to be introduced in an arthroscopic opening of about 2 to 6 mm of diameter and allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potential between the electrodes.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 82 words

A method for detecting and mapping degradation in cartilage, comprising the steps of: a) applying at least two point electrodes against the cartilage; b) compressing said electrodes and cartilage together; c) measuring a streaming potential at each of said electrodes; d) analyzing and resolving the streaming potentials to obtain a map thereof; and e) interpreting said measured signals to determine the condition of the cartilage, wherein said at least two point electrodes allow for spatially resolving in two dimensions said streaming potentials.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 82 words

A method for detecting and mapping degradation in cartilage, comprising the steps of: a) applying at least two point electrodes against the cartilage; b) compressing said electrodes and cartilage together; c) measuring a streaming potential at each of said electrodes; d) analyzing and resolving the streaming potentials to obtain a map thereof; and e) interpreting said measured signals to determine the condition of the cartilage, wherein said at least two point electrodes allow for spatially resolving in two dimensions said streaming potentials.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of comparing the measured signals with stored signals.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 14, wherein said step (b) comprises the steps of (i) positioning said electrodes against said cartilage, and (ii) applying a compressive force on said cartilage to press said cartilage against said electrodes.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 141 words

A medical apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two spaced apart point electrodes fixed to a solid surface and exposed for contact with a cartilage to be analyzed, each said electrodes measuring a streaming potential in such cartilage; b) means for compressing said electrodes and cartilage together selected from the group consisting of electro-mechanical means, piezoelectric means, and manual means, wherein said manual means comprise a defined abutment recessed from the electrodes for allowing said electrodes to be pressed in the cartilage until said cartilage abuts against said defined abutment; c) signal processing means for processing signals received from the electrodes; and d) means for analytical interpretation of data received from said signal processing means, and wherein said medical apparatus allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potentials measured between said electrodes.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 141 words

A medical apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two spaced apart point electrodes fixed to a solid surface and exposed for contact with a cartilage to be analyzed, each said electrodes measuring a streaming potential in such cartilage; b) means for compressing said electrodes and cartilage together selected from the group consisting of electro-mechanical means, piezoelectric means, and manual means, wherein said manual means comprise a defined abutment recessed from the electrodes for allowing said electrodes to be pressed in the cartilage until said cartilage abuts against said defined abutment; c) signal processing means for processing signals received from the electrodes; and d) means for analytical interpretation of data received from said signal processing means, and wherein said medical apparatus allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potentials measured between said electrodes.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 137 words

A medical apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two spaced apart electrodes fixed to a solid surface exposed for contact with a cartilage to be analyzed, each said electrodes measuring a streaming potential in such cartilage; b) means for compressing said electrodes and cartilage together selected from the group consisting of electro-mechanical means, piezo-electric means or manual means, wherein the electro-mechanical means comprise a precision actuator for positioning a load cell at a given height over the medical apparatus and depressing the cartilage against the electrodes; c) signal processing means for processing signals received from the electrodes; and d) means for analytical interpretation of data received from said signal processing means, and wherein said medical apparatus allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potentials measured between said electrodes.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 137 words

A medical apparatus for early detection of degradation in cartilage, said apparatus comprising: a) at least two spaced apart electrodes fixed to a solid surface exposed for contact with a cartilage to be analyzed, each said electrodes measuring a streaming potential in such cartilage; b) means for compressing said electrodes and cartilage together selected from the group consisting of electro-mechanical means, piezo-electric means or manual means, wherein the electro-mechanical means comprise a precision actuator for positioning a load cell at a given height over the medical apparatus and depressing the cartilage against the electrodes; c) signal processing means for processing signals received from the electrodes; and d) means for analytical interpretation of data received from said signal processing means, and wherein said medical apparatus allows for spatially and temporally resolving the streaming potentials measured between said electrodes.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 115 words

A method for detecting and mapping degradation in cartilage, comprising the steps of: a) applying at least two point electrodes against the cartilage; b) compressing said electrodes and cartilage together; c) measuring a streaming potential at each of said electrodes; d) analyzing and resolving the streaming potentials to obtain a map thereof; and e) interpreting said measured signals to determine the condition of the cartilage, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of (i) providing said electrodes at a tip of a probe, and (ii) pressing said tip of said probe against said cartilage, and wherein said at least two point electrodes allows for spatially resolving the streaming potential measured at each of said electrodes.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 115 words

A method for detecting and mapping degradation in cartilage, comprising the steps of: a) applying at least two point electrodes against the cartilage; b) compressing said electrodes and cartilage together; c) measuring a streaming potential at each of said electrodes; d) analyzing and resolving the streaming potentials to obtain a map thereof; and e) interpreting said measured signals to determine the condition of the cartilage, wherein the step (b) comprises the steps of (i) providing said electrodes at a tip of a probe, and (ii) pressing said tip of said probe against said cartilage, and wherein said at least two point electrodes allows for spatially resolving the streaming potential measured at each of said electrodes.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-07-13	2002-01-12	2002-07-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-07-13	2006-01-12	2006-07-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-07-13	2010-01-12	2010-07-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Medical apparatus for the diagnosis of cartilage degeneration via spatial mapping of compression-induced electrical potentials

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