Body-Part Device Localization Using 3D Surface Normals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treatment operations on body parts face challenges in determining accurate device location without requiring additional sensors worn by the subject, particularly in establishing absolute orientation and position on the body part.
Innovation Solution
A method using orientation sensors in the device to measure orientation and, optionally, movement sensors, processes these measurements to determine the device's location on the body part by comparing them to a 3D representation with normal vectors, allowing for accurate positioning without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If field sources or field sensors are positioned in or on the head and/or device to detect position, then position detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to extra components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the field source from the device and positions it externally (e.g., on a mirror mounted on the wall or held by an assistant). This allows position detection functionality to be maintained while removing the complexity of integrating field sources and sensors within the device itself, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (such as a mirror or external field source) that mediates between the device and the position detection system. The mirror reflects light back to the device's sensor, enabling position tracking without requiring the device to carry both field source and sensor, thus reducing component complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
2Device complexity
If acceleration and gyroscope measurements are used to estimate device position, then device simplicity is maintained, but position accuracy deteriorates due to inability to establish absolute orientation and heading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where external visual markers or field sources provide reference information that feeds back to the device's sensor system. This external reference feedback enables the device to establish absolute orientation and position by comparing sensor measurements against known external references, thereby improving position accuracy without adding complex sensors to the device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual copies or representations of reference frames (such as printed markers or projected patterns) that can be detected by the device's camera or sensor. These visual copies provide absolute orientation information that complements the relative motion data from accelerometers and gyroscopes, enabling accurate position estimation while keeping the device simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise determination of the device's location on the body part, improving treatment uniformity and user guidance by correlating device orientations and movements to a 3D model of the body part, enhancing treatment effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the device comprises one or more orientation sensors for measuring the orientation of the device in a reference frame of the device
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided a method of determining a location of a device on a surface of a body part of a subject that is treated by the device during a treatment operation. The device is for performing the treatment operation on the body part, and the device comprises one or more orientation sensors for measuring the orientation of the device in a reference frame of the device. The method comprises obtaining a three dimensional, 3D, representation of the body part, the 3D representation comprising normal vectors for respective positions on the surface of the body part; receiving a plurality of orientation measurements from the one or more orientation sensors representing orientation of the device during the treatment operation on the body part; processing the received orientation measurements to determine a sequence of orientations of the device during the treatment operation; and comparing the determined sequence of orientations of the device to the normal vectors and respective positions of the normal vectors to determine the location of the device on the surface of the body part during the treatment operation.