3D Scanner Mailing System for Patient Face Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining a 3D scan of a patient's face for customizing patient interface devices, such as those for obstructive sleep apnea treatment, are inconvenient due to the high cost and accessibility issues of 3D scanners, requiring patients to travel to medical facilities for scanning.
Innovation Solution
A method where a 3D scanner is sent to the patient, allowing them to obtain a 3D scan of their face, which is then returned and used by a provider to select, customize, or create a patient interface device, eliminating the need for patients to purchase scanners or travel to facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a 3D scanner is provided at a medical facility for patients to obtain a 3D scan of their face, then the scan can be obtained, but the patient must travel to the facility which is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sends a physical copy of the 3D scanner device to the patient's home, allowing them to obtain the 3D scan without traveling to a medical facility. This resolves the contradiction by making the scanning service accessible at the patient's location, eliminating travel time while maintaining scan quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mailing service as an intermediary to transport the 3D scanner between the provider and patient. This mediator enables the patient to access the scanner at home without direct travel to the facility, resolving the convenience-time conflict.
2Ease of operation
If a 3D scanner is purchased by the patient for obtaining a 3D scan of their face, then the scan can be obtained at home, but the scanner is expensive and not practical for individual purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The patient uses the 3D scanner temporarily at home to obtain the scan, then returns it to the provider. The provider recovers and reuses the scanner for the next patient. This allows patients to access expensive equipment at home without purchasing it, resolving the cost-accessibility contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
A single 3D scanner serves multiple patients sequentially through the mail service model. The scanner is not dedicated to one patient but is shared across many users, making the expensive device economically viable while allowing home-based scanning.
3Measurement precision
If a 3D scanner is made available to all patients, then everyone can obtain a precise 3D scan for proper device fitting, but the cost and complexity of providing scanners to all patients increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service is segmented into discrete phases: provider sends scanner via mail, patient scans at home, patient returns scanner, provider processes scan. This segmentation allows precise scanning to be provided to multiple patients without requiring a complex centralized system, as each interaction is independent and standardized.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining a 3D scan of a patient's face includes receiving a request for a 3D scanner from the patient, sending the 3D scanner to the patient, receiving the 3D scan of the patient's face obtained from the 3D scanner from the patient, receiving the 3D scanner from the patient, and using the 3D scan of the patient's face to make, select, or customize a patient interface device for the patient.