Automated Foot Imaging Platform for Frequent Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients with diabetic neuropathy often fail to detect early foot complications due to decreased sensation, leading to untreated issues that can progress to amputations, as routine doctor visits are insufficient for frequent monitoring, and self-examinations are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A foot abnormality detection system comprising a platform with an imaging device and processor that automatically captures and analyzes foot images to identify complications, including a bathmat or mat with integrated sensors for presence detection and imaging, capable of generating 3D models and issuing alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If patients perform self-examinations at home, then monitoring frequency increases, but detection reliability decreases due to patient inability to view all foot parts, lack of understanding, or forgetfulness
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic foot examination without requiring patient active participation. The platform with imaging device automatically captures foot images when the patient steps on it, and the processor automatically analyzes the images for abnormalities. This eliminates the need for patients to manually examine their feet while maintaining high monitoring frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual self-examination process is replaced by an automated imaging and analysis system. Instead of patients visually inspecting their feet, the system uses imaging devices to capture foot images and processors to automatically detect abnormalities, substituting human sensory and cognitive limitations with technological capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If doctors conduct routine foot examinations during visits, then detection accuracy improves through professional assessment, but monitoring frequency remains insufficient due to low visit frequency compared to complication progression rate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic foot examinations without requiring doctor involvement for each examination. The platform with imaging device and processor conducts independent assessments, enabling frequent monitoring at home while maintaining professional-level detection accuracy through automated image analysis algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of foot images and analyzes them using processed data, allowing repeated examinations of the same foot without requiring physical doctor presence. Multiple images can be captured and analyzed instantly, enabling high-frequency monitoring that replicates clinical examination quality.
3Reliability
If a platform with imaging device is used for automatic foot detection, then detection reliability and frequency improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a weighing scale and an imaging platform. The same platform structure supports both weight measurement and foot image capture, reducing overall system complexity by combining functions into a single integrated device.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device, sensor, and processor are merged into a single integrated platform system. The platform combines structural support, imaging capabilities, sensing functions, and processing capabilities in one unified device, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for detecting a foot abnormality includes a platform configured to be stood upon by a user, an imaging device within the platform, and a processor connected to the imaging device. The processor is configured to detect a foot abnormality from images gathered by the imaging device.