3D Body Scan Using Deformable Attachment Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

In orthopedic technology, existing methods for creating 3D scans of body parts often require contact with the body, providing haptic feedback but are inconvenient, time-consuming, and result in contamination and damage to the form, whereas non-contact scanning lacks essential tactile information.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a deformable contact element that is molded onto the body part, allowing haptic interaction and initial partial scanning, followed by removal and secondary scanning of the contact element's surface to capture hidden areas, combining data for a complete 3D model using 3D scanners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional plaster casting is used to create a negative mold, then haptic feedback and direct contact with the body part are available, but the process is time-consuming, causes contamination, and requires manual cutting/sawing to remove the cast

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedback qualityVSAvoidcasting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a 3D scanner to create a digital copy (3D model) of the body part, replacing the need for physical plaster casting. The scanner captures the geometric data directly, eliminating the time-consuming casting process while preserving measurement precision through accurate 3D reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical plaster casting system with an optical/electronic 3D scanning system. The scanner uses optical fields to capture geometric data, substituting the mechanical process of molding, hardening, and cutting with a non-contact optical measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If non-contact scanning is used, then contamination and manual effort are reduced, but haptic feedback and tactile information are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination reductionVSAvoidtactile information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a deformable attachment element as an intermediary between the scanner and the body part. This element can be manually manipulated to conform to the body part's surface, allowing the operator to feel tactile information through the element while the scanner captures the geometric data non-contactingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the body part's surface geometry through 3D scanning. This digital model preserves the geometric information that would be obtained through tactile exploration, allowing virtual manipulation and measurement without physical contact with the body part itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If plaster casting is used, then direct contact and haptic manipulation are possible, but the body part becomes heavily soiled and the cast must be cut or sawn open to extract the body part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact qualityVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical plaster casting system with a 3D scanning system that does not require physical contact or material application to the body part. The scanner captures geometric data from a distance, completely eliminating the contamination and damage issues associated with plaster casts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the body part's geometry without requiring physical contact or material application. The 3D scan produces a virtual model that can be manipulated and measured without soiling the body part or requiring subsequent removal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If a deformable attachment element is used, then haptic feedback is maintained, but an additional scanning step is required for the attachment element surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehaptic feedbackVSAvoidscanning process steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the attachment element with the body part being scanned. The element is positioned on the body part and scanned together as a single integrated object, so that the scanning process captures both the body part geometry and the element's surface geometry simultaneously in one operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the scanning process into two distinct phases: first scanning the attachment element alone to capture its surface geometry, then scanning the element with the body part to capture the combined geometry. This segmentation allows for systematic data collection while maintaining haptic feedback through the deformable element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4061293B1Method for creating a 3D scan
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 OTTOBOCK SE & CO KGAA
  • EP4061293B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4061293B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4061293B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for creating a 3D scan of a body part, the method comprising the following steps: a. molding an application element on the body part, b. acquiring a first partial scan of the body part, c. removing the body part from the application element, d. acquiring a second partial scan of the application element and e. creating a 3D scan at least also from the first partial scan and the second partial scan.