Camera-Guided Spinal Health Risk Assessment Through Trunk Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for diagnosing scoliosis require professional inspectors and are prone to subjective measurement errors, making them complex and inaccurate for routine screening.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that guides users to adjust to a specific state using a camera-equipped electronic device, capturing images or videos to determine the angle of trunk rotation and assess spinal health risk, reducing the need for professional involvement and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the Cobb angle method is used for diagnosis, then the diagnosis is more universal, but additional invasive ray examination is required and the operation is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement information (trunk rotation angle) from the complex Cobb angle methodology, separating the key diagnostic parameter from the invasive radiographic procedures. This allows diagnosis using only surface anatomy and visual inspection, eliminating the need for complex X-ray equipment and procedures while maintaining diagnostic utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the trunk rotation angle through photographic imaging and digital processing. Instead of requiring physical radiographic images, the system captures visual copies of the patient's back in flexed position, then processes these images computationally to determine the angle, replacing invasive physical examination with non-invasive digital documentation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the forward flexion test is used to measure angle of trunk rotation, then the measurement can be obtained without invasive examination, but the measurement result is affected by subjective measurement method and has error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement system (protractors, rulers, and subjective visual estimation) with an automated optical-digital system. The camera captures the trunk rotation visually, and computer algorithms automatically calculate the angle, substituting mechanical measurement tools with electronic imaging and computational processing to eliminate human subjectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the captured images are processed to provide objective measurement data. The digital processing provides feedback on the actual measured angle, allowing for consistent, repeatable measurements that are not influenced by the measurer's subjective interpretation, thereby improving precision while maintaining ease of use.
3Reliability
If a professional inspector is required for measurement, then the measurement can be performed with proper technique, but the operation is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service measurement where patients can perform the forward flexion test and have their trunk rotation angle measured without requiring a professional inspector. The system guides patients through the positioning and captures images automatically, allowing individuals to screen themselves while maintaining reliable measurements through automated image processing and angle calculation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing multiple images and pre-processing them before final angle calculation. The camera system automatically positions, captures, and pre-processes images to ensure proper framing and quality, eliminating the need for professional inspectors to manually position equipment and patients, thereby improving screening efficiency while maintaining measurement reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a spinal health risk assessment method. In this method, an electronic device may display an image captured by a camera, and then output guide information based on the image captured by the camera, where the guide information is used to prompt a user to adjust to a first state. After the image captured by the camera represents that the user is in the first state, the electronic device starts to shoot a photo or record a video, and determines and outputs an assessment result based on the photo or the video. In this way, the user can quickly and efficiently adjust a position and a posture, and a spinal health risk of the user is assessed by analyzing a shot photo or a recorded video.