Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Mechanical measurement system
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-10
2004-04-13
Barlow, John (Department: 2863)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Mechanical measurement system
C702S033000, C073S081000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06721667
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer-implemented methods and automated systems for visually collecting geometrical, analytical measurements from deformable material specimens and determining mechanical properties and, in particular, to methods and systems for determining mechanical properties of tissue samples and other biomaterial.
2. Description of Related Art
Mechanical test machines are used routinely in engineering applications to determine material properties. These machines typically provide displacement data by using a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) and force data or load data by means of a load cell. In order to convert the data generated or output by a load cell and linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) into values that describe the mechanical properties of the specimen or material being tested, the geometry of physical dimensions of the specimen must be determined. However, soft tissue samples are easily deformable and pose a particular challenge in geometrical or physical measurement.
Many prior art measurement processes rely on “contact methods” in which the process itself can affect the specimen dimensions. A non-contact method is needed for accurate measurement of this type of specimen. Further, soft tissues are highly extensible and viscoelastic. In order to track their significant dimensional changes in response to external loading forces, a real-time measurement method is required. Also, unlike harder, tougher biological specimens such as bone, cartilege, or inorganic samples such as glasses, plastics or metals that can be consistently machined to specific dimensions, soft tissue specimens and other biomaterial tend to contain inherent non-uniformities and are difficult to machine. The ability to concurrently collect dimensional measurements at multiple points on the specimen without influencing the dimensions being measured provides a real benefit in these and other applications of this nature.
In the article entitled “A New Method for Determining Cross-Sectional Shape and Area of Soft Tissues,” by Lee, T. Q. and Woo, S. L-Y., published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering at 110:110-114 (1988), an assessment of the cross-sectional area of soft tissues using an image reconstruction technique is disclosed. This image reconstruction technique is based on measurements from collimated laser beams, and using this procedure, the actual shape of the specimen cross-section can be determined. However, this method does not provide the ability to measure cross-sectional area at multiple points along the length of the specimen simultaneously. In addition, this method does not allow for real-time measurements while the specimen is installed or loaded in a mechanical test machine. Further, this method does not include any instruction on how to perform property calculations or create specified reports or graphical displays of these properties. Still further, this method does not create a video record of the mechanical test or allow correlation of the data to this video.
Another method is disclosed in “A New Methodology to Determine the Mechanical Properties of Ligaments at High Strain Rates,” by Peterson, R. H. and Woo, S. L-Y., published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering at 108:365-367 (1986). This method uses a video camera as a non-contact means for gathering straining measurements of soft tissues. In addition, this method discusses studying the strains at any specific area along the ligament substance to detect the variation of strains along the length of the tissue. However, this method does not calculate cross-sectional area and, therefore, cannot produce accurate results for certain mechanical property calculations that require this information. Also, this method does not include any methods or the ability to perform property calculations to create graphical reports and displays of the same. In addition, the data, such as the image data from the video record, is not correlated with the calculated mechanical property data.
“The use of a laser micrometer system to determine the cross-sectional shape and area of ligaments: a comparative study with two existing methods,” by Woo, S. L., Danto, M. I., Ohland, K. J., Lee, T. Q. and Newton P. O., published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering at 112(4):426-31 (Nov. 1990) discloses a method of determining cross-sectional shape and area of soft tissues. The system disclosed in this article describes the use of a laser micrometer system to determine the cross-sectional area of ligaments. This system does not use a camera or any image data, instead using a static laser measurement system. While the system does allow for non-contact cross-sectional area measurements, it does not allow for measuring cross-sectional area at multiple points along the length of the specimen simultaneously. In addition, it does not provide real-time measurements while the specimen is installed or loaded in a mechanical test machine. In addition, the system does not include any software or methodology to perform property calculations or create graphical reports or display information. Still further, this system does not create any video record of the mechanical test or allow correlation of data to the video record.
Another method is disclosed in “A new method for determining cross-sectional shape and area of soft tissue,” by Lee, T. Q. and Woo, S. L., published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering at 110(2): 110-4 (May 1988). As discussed above, this method does allow for the determination of cross-sectional area of soft tissues. This system uses a laser and does not allow for measuring of cross-sectional area at multiple points along the length of the specimen simultaneously. Further, the methodology does not allow for real-time measurements while the specimen is installed or loaded in a mechanical test machine. Further, this method does not include any software or methodology to perform property calculations or create reports or graphical displays of these calculations and, therefore, does not correlate the data obtained from the mechanical test to any video record of the same.
A further method is disclosed in “A new method of measuring the cross-sectional area of connective tissue structures,” by Shrive, N. G., Lam, T. C., Damson, E. and Frank, C. B., published in the Journal of Biomechanical Engineering at 110(2): 104-9 (May 1988). This method allows for the measurement of cross-sectional area of connective tissue structures. The method uses an instrument to measure the thickness of the tissue as a function of position along the width of the tissue. This method does not use a camera and does not allow for the measuring of cross-sectional area at multiple points along the length of the specimen simultaneously. The method does not disclose the use of real-time measurements conducted while the specimen is installed or loaded in a mechanical test machine. No methodology or software is disclosed that can perform the property calculations or create reports or graphical displays of these calculations. The method does not create a video record of the mechanical test or allow the correlation of the video to the calculated data. In addition, while this method does claim to be non-destructive, it does not claim to be a non-contact method.
“A method of in-vitro measurement of the cross-sectional area of soft tissues, using ultrasonography,” by Noguchi, M., Kitaura T., Ikoma, K. and Kusaka Y., published in the Journal of Orthopedic Science at 7(2): 247-51 (2002) discloses yet another method that determines the cross-sectional area of soft tissues in a non-contact manner. The method uses ultrasonography, and not a camera, and further does not allow for the measurement of cross-sectional area at multiple points along the length of the specimen simultaneously. Further, the method does not allow for real-time measurements while the specimen is installed or loaded in a mechanical test machine. No software or methodology is disclosed to perf
Banes Albert J.
Maloney Melissa Marie
Barlow John
Flexcell International Corporation
Le John
Webb Ziesenheim & Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
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