3D Anatomical Reference Model for Skin Treatment Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assessing the efficacy of skin treatments is challenging due to variations in lighting, movement, and pose in image comparisons, especially when comparing multiple subjects, requiring precise and consistent objective results.
Innovation Solution
A method using a 3D anatomical shape reference model to standardize the tracking of regions of interest across multiple 3D images, enabling consistent identification and comparison of anatomical changes over time, even with varying camera angles and distances, by deforming the model to match individual subjects' images and establishing vertex correspondences between baseline and follow-up images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional 2D image comparison methods are used to assess skin treatment efficacy, then the process is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and objectivity are insufficient due to variations in lighting, movement, and pose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D image comparison to 3D surface mapping and volumetric analysis. By capturing depth information and creating three-dimensional representations of the skin surface, the system achieves more precise measurements of anatomical changes while accounting for variations in pose, lighting, and camera distance that plague 2D methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the assessment from qualitative 2D visual comparison to quantitative 3D parameter measurement. By extracting geometric parameters such as surface area, volume, depth, and curvature from 3D scans, the system provides objective, numerically precise measurements that can be consistently compared across multiple subjects and time points.
2Reliability
If multiple subjects are involved in skin treatment studies, then the statistical power and generalizability improve, but the consistency and precision of comparison deteriorate due to anatomical variations among subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal 3D reference model that can be applied across multiple subjects with different anatomies. The standardized anatomical regions and measurement protocols enable consistent comparison of skin treatment effects across diverse populations, making the system both multi-subject capable and precision-maintaining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized 3D reference model as an intermediary between subjects with different anatomies. This reference model serves as a common framework for defining and comparing anatomical regions across individuals, enabling reliable multi-subject studies while maintaining measurement precision through standardized positioning and measurement protocols.
3Measurement precision
If 3D imaging and standardized anatomical region tracking are implemented, then the objectivity and quantification accuracy improve, but the device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining standardized anatomical regions and creating reference models before actual measurements are taken. This preprocessing work establishes a consistent framework that simplifies subsequent measurements and reduces the complexity of real-time processing, as the heavy lifting of anatomical standardization is done in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex task of 3D image analysis into manageable components: capturing 3D surface geometry, segmenting anatomical regions based on standardized definitions, extracting specific measurement parameters from each region, and comparing results against baseline data. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by breaking down the challenging holistic problem into simpler modular steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed that assist a user in tracking changes that occur in an anatomical region of one or more subjects based on three-dimensional images of the region captured at different times, such as before and after treatment. In exemplary implementations, a three-dimensional anatomical reference model derived from a population of relevance to the subjects is deformed to fit at least a baseline image of each of the subjects. The deformed model of each subject's baseline image is further deformed to fit a follow-up image of the subject's anatomical region. The deformed models thus generated are used to establish sparse correspondences between the images from which surrounding, denser correspondences between the images are additionally found.