How Sensors Measure Body Joint Movement Across Different Sections
This patent describes a system of bendable and stretchable electromagnetic sensors placed around a body joint in four distinct sections to precisely track its movement.
Original patent title: “Sensor array spanning multiple radial quadrants to measure body joint movement”
This patent describes a system of bendable and stretchable electromagnetic sensors placed around a body joint in four distinct sections to precisely track its movement. Granted to Medibotics in 2019 with 3 claims and 27 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2036.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This invention uses an array of special sensors to measure how a body joint moves. It includes at least four "longitudinal electromagnetic energy sensors" that are designed to stretch and bend as the joint moves, with each sensor placed in a different quarter, or "radial quadrant," around the joint. For example, imagine four flexible strips wrapped around your knee, each covering a different side. The system also includes other "radial electromagnetic energy sensors" that collectively span the joint, with their axes pointing towards a common center. By measuring the changes in electromagnetic energy passing through these sensors as the joint moves, the system can figure out exactly how the joint is bending or twisting.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems that use fewer than four longitudinal electromagnetic energy sensors to span the body joint.
- Does not cover sensors that measure joint movement using only accelerometers, without the specific bending and/or stretching electromagnetic sensors.
- Does not cover sensor arrays where the longitudinal axes of the radial electromagnetic energy sensors do not converge.
- Does not cover measuring movement of objects or structures that are not body joints.
- Does not cover sensors that are not electromagnetic energy sensors, even if they bend or stretch.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in using multiple bending and/or stretching electromagnetic sensors arranged specifically in different radial quadrants around a joint, combined with converging radial sensors. This setup allows for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional measurement of joint movement, capturing complex bends and twists that simpler single-axis sensors might miss.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Smart rehabilitation devices for physical therapy
Wearable sensors for athletic performance analysis
Advanced robotic prosthetics
Exoskeletons for assistive movement or industrial tasks
Motion capture suits for detailed biomechanical analysis
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology offers a way to get very detailed information about how human joints move. This precision is important for things like physical therapy, where tracking recovery is key, or in sports training to analyze an athlete's form. It could also be used in advanced prosthetics or robotic exoskeletons to make their movements more natural and responsive.
Filed
March 24, 2016
Granted
March 19, 2019
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Medibotics LLC, the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is likely continuing to develop technologies in this space. Companies focused on rehabilitation technology, sports performance analytics, and advanced robotics, such as those developing smart wearables or medical devices, would be interested in or building upon similar joint tracking capabilities.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the growing field of precise human motion tracking. It provides a foundation for developing more accurate and detailed joint kinematics data, which can enhance products in physical therapy, athletic training, and robotic control. Its specific sensor arrangement could influence the design of next-generation wearable health and performance monitors, potentially leading to more effective treatment and training outcomes.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This invention uses an array of special sensors to measure how a body joint moves. It includes at least four "longitudinal electromagnetic energy sensors" that are designed to stretch and bend as the joint moves, with each sensor placed in a different quarter, or "radial quadrant," around the joint. For example, imagine four flexible strips wrapped around your knee, each covering a different side. The system also includes other "radial electromagnetic energy sensors" that collectively span the joint, with their axes pointing towards a common center. By measuring the changes in electromagnetic energy passing through these sensors as the joint moves, the system can figure out exactly how the joint is bending or twisting.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in using multiple bending and/or stretching electromagnetic sensors arranged specifically in different radial quadrants around a joint, combined with converging radial sensors. This setup allows for a comprehensive, multi-dimensional measurement of joint movement, capturing complex bends and twists that simpler single-axis sensors might miss.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems that use fewer than four longitudinal electromagnetic energy sensors to span the body joint.
- Does not cover sensors that measure joint movement using only accelerometers, without the specific bending and/or stretching electromagnetic sensors.
- Does not cover sensor arrays where the longitudinal axes of the radial electromagnetic energy sensors do not converge.
- Does not cover measuring movement of objects or structures that are not body joints.
- Does not cover sensors that are not electromagnetic energy sensors, even if they bend or stretch.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
29/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
2/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$198K – $634K
Midpoint $396K · 9.5 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Patent Claims
1 independent claim · 0 dependent
Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.
The original legal language
Original claims
3 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Connor, R. A. (2019). How Sensors Measure Body Joint Movement Across Different Sections (U.S. Patent No. 10,234,934). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10234934/sensor-array-spanning-multiple-radial-quadrants-to-measure-body-joint-movement
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Sensors Measure Body Joint Movement Across Different Sections cover?
This patent describes a system of bendable and stretchable electromagnetic sensors placed around a body joint in four distinct sections to precisely track its movement.
Who owns patent US 10234934?
Medibotics owns this patent, granted in 2019.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 24, 2036, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10234934 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 27 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology offers a way to get very detailed information about how human joints move. This precision is important for things like physical therapy, where tracking recovery is key, or in sports training to analyze an athlete's form. It could also be used in advanced prosthetics or robotic exoskeletons to make their movements more natural and responsive.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems that use fewer than four longitudinal electromagnetic energy sensors to span the body joint.
Patent monitoring