Acoustic Detection of Bone Fracture

Abstract

A system for analyzing a possibility of a stress fracture in a patient's bone by applying a vibration of a selected frequency to a patient at a selected anatomical location and analyzing the resulting vibration detected at another anatomical location. Analysis may be based on a database. A probability of the existence of a fracture may be displayed. System software may provide usage instructions.

Claims

1. A device for diagnosing the probability, location or type of fracture in a bone comprising: a. a user control unit; b. a vibration generator; c. a vibration detector; and d. a vibration analyzer responsive to the vibration generator and the vibration detector.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a display device arranged to display information provided by the vibration analyzer.

3. The device of claim 1, including a reporting device associated with the vibration analyzer.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the control unit includes a smartphone.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the vibration generator is integrated into the control unit.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the vibration generator is reversibly attached to the control unit.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the vibration sensor is integrated into the control unit.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the vibration sensor is reversibly attached to the control unit.

9. The device of claim 1 including a wireless communication unit in the control unit.

10. The device of claim 9 including a wireless communication unit connected with the vibration detector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for acoustic detection of fractures in bones.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a simplified pictorial view showing the system in use.

[0051] FIGS. 3A and 3B are, taken together, a functional flowchart showing operation of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Referring now to the drawings which form a part of the disclosure herein, as shown in FIG. 1, an acoustic bone fracture detection system 10 includes a vibration generator 12, which may be incorporated in a control unit 11, for example, a readily available portable device such as a smart phone. The system 10 also includes a vibration sensor 14, which may similarly be a readily available device 15 such as a smart phone. The system 10 also preferably includes a visual display device 16, which may be a display screen incorporated in the control unit 11 including the vibration generator 12 or the device 15 incorporating the vibration sensor 14, or may incorporate display portions of both of such elements of the system 10. Software and wireless communication elements 17, 18 installed with one or both of the vibration generator 12, and the vibration sensor 14 may be used to communicate between the two elements of the system 10, or the vibration generator 12 may be connected with the vibration sensor 14 by a suitable cable.

[0053] Software Decision Tree

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the bone fracture detection system 10 is being used on a patient P to 18 in whom a stress fracture of the right femur 20 is suspected.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the software of the system 10 (hereinafter referred to at times as the App) causes instructions to be displayed. A user of the system 10, as prompted by the App, is holding the vibration generator 12 against the right patella 22 of the patient P and the vibration sensor 14 against the patient P at the location of the right greater trochanter 24.

[0056] The software App provides instructions and a decision tree to guide a user, such as, for example, the flowchart shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0057] FIGS. 3A and 3B show one possible decision tree, with instruction relating to a suspected right femur stress fracture, for a system 10 in which there is wireless communication between the vibration generator 12 and the vibration sensor 14.

[0058] When the App of the system 10 is started, the display 16 shows, for example: Input suspected injury area, at 30. The App may display a list of options, an anatomical diagram, and/or a search input bar.

[0059] In response, the user inputs 2 suspected injury area via text input, voice input, or selection from a menu of options (text list, anatomical diagram, etc.) In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 3, the user has entered the input Right femur.

[0060] For each likely injury area of a person, the system software hereinafter, for convenience called the App, has a set of instructions, including a decision tree similar to that shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0061] For a suspected right femur stress fracture, the system displays a prompt, as shown in FIG. 3A at 32: Place the vibration generator 12 (cell phone) at the right patella 22 and the vibration sensor 14 (Bluetooth microphone) at the right greater trochanter 24, then press start (or say start, etc.)

[0062] The User should then apply the vibration generator 12 and vibration sensor 14 to the patient as directed and input a start command on the device.

[0063] In response to the start command, the App activates vibration sensor 14 and vibration generator 12 with one or more vibrations frequencies according to the App.

[0064] Upon sensing vibrations from the patient in response to vibration generated by the device 12, the device provides an analysis as shown at 34 in accordance with the system software.

[0065] App Analysis:

[0066] Based on expected vs actual results (the analysis may be based on a database of clinical or cadaveric empirical results, on literature, or on mathematical modeling), the App generates a probability value. If the probability of a fracture or healthy bone is greater than a value, for example >95%, the App outputs the result on the display 16. If the probability is less than a value, for example <95%, the App may display a prompt for further action, as at 36.

[0067] For example, an App prompt for further action may be:

[0068] Place the vibration generator (cell phone) at the left patella (healthy side) and the vibration sensor (Bluetooth microphone) at the left greater trochanter (healthy side), then press start (or say start, etc.), as shown at 38.

[0069] In response, a user may take the recommended action:

[0070] User applies devices to body, activates start, as at 40.

[0071] The control unit 11 will, then, under control of the App, take the following action.

[0072] First, the App activates vibration generator 12 and sensor 14 with one or more frequencies as at 42.

[0073] Next, the App conducts an analysis as at 44. First, the App compares the values of the suspect side vs the healthy side. Based on the magnitude of difference between the healthy and suspect side, the App generates a probability value. The analysis may be based on a database of clinical or cadaveric empirical results, on literature, or on mathematical modeling. If the probability of a fracture or healthy bone is greater than a number, for example >95%, the App outputs the result on the display 16. If the probability is less than a value, for example <95%, the App may cause the display 16 to show a prompt for further action.

[0074] Subsequent Prompts

[0075] There may be a series of other further action prompts, which may include positioning the vibration generator 12 and sensor 14 at different anatomical locations, crossing the vibration generator 12 and sensor 14 from the healthy side to the suspect side of the patient P, or moving the vibration generator 12 or sensor 14 along a suspected bone.

[0076] When the decision tree is exhausted, the App can display the final probability value as at 46.

[0077] The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.