3D Bony Landmark Imaging for Real-Time Spinal Treatment Protocols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for identifying and tracking landmarks on the human body, such as those used in chiropractic adjustments, are inaccurate and prone to human error, requiring X-ray images and physical contact, and lack real-time treatment determination capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing three-dimensional imaging and processing systems, including a three-dimensional camera, machine learning, and analytics to identify bony landmarks like the head, shoulder, and pelvis, reducing human error and enabling real-time treatment protocols based on precise digital data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If X-rays are used to identify bony landmarks, then measurement accuracy is improved, but patient exposure to harmful radiation and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebony landmark identification accuracyVSAvoidpatient radiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the X-ray imaging system with a 3D imaging system using cameras and computer vision algorithms. This substitution eliminates harmful radiation exposure while maintaining the capability to identify and track bony landmarks through optical fields and machine learning-based pose estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital 3D model (copy) of the patient's body and bony landmarks through 3D imaging and mesh generation. This digital replica allows for accurate measurement and tracking without requiring repeated X-ray exposures, thereby eliminating radiation harm while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If traditional manual methods are used to determine treatment protocols, then device complexity is reduced, but human error and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment protocol accuracyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated processing system that performs treatment protocol determination independently without requiring manual human intervention. The system automatically processes 3D imaging data, identifies bony landmarks, calculates treatment parameters, and generates treatment protocols, thereby eliminating human error while managing complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates real-time feedback loops where the processing system continuously monitors 3D imaging data, compares actual patient positioning against treatment protocols, and automatically adjusts treatment parameters. This feedback mechanism enhances reliability by ensuring accurate treatment delivery while the automated nature manages system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If 3D imaging systems are implemented to identify bony landmarks, then measurement precision and real-time tracking are improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelandmark tracking accuracyVSAvoidimaging and processing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex 3D imaging and processing system into distinct functional modules: 3D camera system for data acquisition, mesh generation module for 3D model creation, landmark identification module for detecting bony features, and treatment calculation module for generating protocols. This segmentation manages device complexity by organizing functions into independent, manageable components while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If real-time treatment determination is implemented, then treatment efficacy tracking is improved, but data processing time and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment determination speedVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing 3D imaging data to generate accurate patient body meshes and pre-identifying potential bony landmarks before treatment delivery begins. This preliminary processing reduces the computational burden during real-time treatment determination, enabling fast treatment efficacy tracking without excessive data processing delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250356985A1Three-Dimensional Imaging and Machine Learning System for Identifying Bony Landmarks Used In Developing Treatment Protocols

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 NEURO SPINAL INNOVATION

AI summary

A method of determining a spinal treatment protocol for a patient in real time is provided, the method comprising: selecting a three-dimensional imaging and processing system; the three-dimensional imaging and processing system identifying bony landmarks including the patient's head and shoulders; the three-dimensional imaging and processing system determining an edge of each shoulder; determining a position of the bony landmarks during at least one of tilting and rotating at least one of the patient's head and shoulders to provide outputs; and the three-dimensional imaging and processing system processing the outputs to provide a spinal treatment protocol.