Device for measuring and monitoring the fractional load of orthopedic and surgical patients

1. A system for measuring and monitoring the partial weight load borne by orthopedic and surgical patients, comprising at least one measuring device for direct or indirect determination of the weight load on at least one lower extremity, at least one alarm signal generator ( 17 ) adapted to give an alarm signal when the partial weight load exceeds an adjustable partial weight bearing limit, at least one evaluation unit, and also crutches, characterized in that the evaluation unit is built into a crutch and

a) said at least one measuring device is built into the sole of a shoe or into an insole or into the walking heel of a walking cast, or

b) said measuring devices are built into both crutches and the measurement of the partial weight load takes place in the first crutch (master) irrespective of measurements in the second crutch (slave), and a measurement is only carried out in said second crutch after a measured value attained in said first crutch has been transmitted to said second crutch.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that said measuring devices are provided in shoe soles or insoles, and the measurement of the partial weight loading takes place in the first sole or insole (master) irrespective of measurements in the second sole or insole (slave) and measurement in said second sole or insole is only carried out after a measured value acquired in said first sole or insole has been transmitted to said second sole or insole.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one evaluation unit and the alarm signal generator ( 17 ) are built into crutches.

4. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that the transmission of the measured values is effected by means of radio transmission.

5. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that the body weight less the sum of the measured values acquired in the two crutches corresponds to the weight load on the lower extremity, whilst it is optionally possible to determine the dynamic weight load through an algorithm.

6. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one alarm signal generator ( 17 ) is adapted to give an acoustic alarm when the partial weight loading exceeds or falls short of an adjustable weight load limit.

7. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that said at least one alarm signal generator ( 17 ) is adapted to give a vibration alarm when the partial weight load exceeds or falls short of an adjustable partial weight load limit.

8. A system as defined in claim 1 , characterized in that when the partial weight loading has a value above or below an adjustable weight load limit these values are recorded and stored in an electronic non-volatile memory.

9. A system as defined claim 1 , characterized in that a plurality of adjustable upper and lower limits is provided.