Methods And Systems For Fitting Compression Garments From Digital Imagery

Abstract

The present disclosure includes methods and systems to generate compression garment fit information from 3D images taken of one or more body parts of a patient indicated for application of compression therapy. The body parts can include legs or arms or other areas. Three-dimensional (“3D”) imaging information can be used to derive compression garment fit information, where the shape description information includes for each body part: tissue compressibility information, outer circumference information, and length information. Comparisons between corresponding body parts on a person can also be conducted.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. non-provisional application entitled “Methods and Systems for Fitting Compression Garments from Digital Imagery” having Ser. No. 16 / 558,074, filed Aug. 31, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure comprises methods and systems to generate compression garment fit information from 3D images taken of one or more body parts of a patient indicated for application of compression therapy. The body parts can comprise legs or arms or other areas. Three-dimensional (“3D”) imaging information can be used to derive compression garment fit information, where the shape description information can include for each body part: tissue compressibility information, outer circumference information, and length information. Comparisons between corresponding body parts on a person can also be conducted.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0003...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach ensures accurate fitting and effective compression therapy by accounting for individual tissue characteristics, reducing inter-operator variability and improving patient compliance, while minimizing discomfort and the risk of irreversible damage from poorly fitting garments.

Problems solved by technology

As edema increases, there is more potential for this “cascade effect” to continue, to result in even more damage.

Existing methods of fitting compression garments for a specific patient are problematic, however.

As would be understood, human patient body parts or body areas that may be fitted with compression garments are not regularly shaped, and some may be quite complex in surface shape or morphology, such as in patients with advanced lymphedema or those who are morbidly obese, for example.

A compression garment may provide proper compression characteristics, but if the wearer experiences discomfort due to pinching, chaffing, buckling, or other reasons, she is unlikely to be compliant in wearing the compression garment and, thus, may not achieve therapeutic benefits.

Commonly cited reasons include, among other things, pain, discomfort, difficulty donning the stockings, perceived ineffectiveness, excessive heat, and skin irritation.

Of course, if a patient fails to wear a compression garment that is prescribed for a potentially chronic or already chronic condition, that condition can become worse and, perhaps, irreversible damage could result.

A garment that is large enough for the patient body part outer skin circumference but that nonetheless is not able to apply an appropriate pressure to the underlying lymph and / or vascular system may then be largely ineffective for the intended treatment use.

Conversely, fibrotic tissue may allow “too much” compression to be passed into the underlying lymph and / or venous system because the tissue may be largely incapable of absorbing or dissipating the amount of compression that is expected from “normal” tissue.

This creates a lack of standardization and a lack of precision sizing for patient among compression garment fitting and the treatment protocols associated therewith.

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