Camera-Based Limb Movement Tracking for Orthopedic Range of Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for orthopedic patient care, such as physical and occupational therapy, fail to adequately monitor or assess range of motion and pain before or after surgical intervention, leading to potential long-term issues and incorrect diagnoses.
Innovation Solution
A portable system using a camera, such as a mobile device, calibrates patient movements to accurately track compliance and progress by determining a maximum limb length, aligning the movement plane orthogonal to the camera's line of sight, and providing real-time feedback to ensure correct exercise performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical therapy or occupational therapy is used to help patient recovery, then patient strength and functioning improve, but there is no adequate monitoring or assessment of range of motion or pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual assessment methods with an automated optical measurement system using a camera to capture and analyze patient movements. The system uses image processing to automatically calculate range of motion metrics, eliminating the need for manual measurement while providing continuous monitoring during therapy exercises.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to perform self-assessment of their range of motion through the mobile device camera. Patients can independently track their own progress by performing exercises and having the system automatically measure and record their movements, providing continuous feedback without requiring therapist intervention for each measurement.
2Measurement precision
If manual assessment methods are used for range of motion testing, then patient compliance can be monitored, but measurement accuracy and precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a standard mobile device camera that patients already possess, making the measurement tool universally available without requiring specialized equipment. The same device serves multiple functions: capturing movement images, processing measurements, providing feedback, and storing data, thereby achieving high measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of dedicated measurement devices.
3Measurement precision
If continuous monitoring of patient movements is implemented, then range of motion tracking accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement devices with a software-based solution using a standard camera. The system captures images and uses image processing algorithms to automatically extract movement data, providing continuous monitoring with high precision while keeping the hardware simple and accessible through mobile devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods may be used for evaluating a patient after completion of an orthopedic surgery on a portion of a body part of the patient. In an example, the method includes capturing, using a camera of the device, a series of images of the patient in motion, determining respective lengths of the body part in each of the series of images based on comparing the body part in each of the series of images to a skeletal model, and identifying a maximum length of the body part from the respective lengths. The method may include displaying an indication corresponding to the maximum length.