Cutaneous Condition Analysis Using 3D Depth Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing and analyzing cutaneous conditions are slow, tedious, and lack accuracy due to reliance on single measurement references and camera angle variations, with existing systems being large, expensive, and requiring meticulous clinician examination.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that captures 2D images and associated 3D point clouds, generating a 3D surface and depth map for precise analysis of cutaneous conditions, allowing for automated measurement and diagnosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional 2D photography with a single ruler reference is used, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but measurement accuracy is low due to surface irregularities and camera angle variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D imaging to 3D imaging by capturing multiple images at different angles and generating depth maps. This adds the dimension of depth information, enabling accurate measurement of surface irregularities and three-dimensional characteristics of cutaneous conditions without requiring complex physical devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If 2D and 3D imaging devices are used to capture complete skin maps, then measurement accuracy improves, but the devices become large, expensive, and require meticulous clinician examination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidexamination efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated analysis by processing captured images through computer vision algorithms that automatically generate depth maps, create three-dimensional models, and identify cutaneous conditions. This eliminates the need for meticulous manual examination by clinicians, significantly improving examination efficiency while maintaining high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual clinician examination with automated computer-based analysis. The system uses image processing algorithms, depth map generation, and three-dimensional modeling to automatically detect and analyze cutaneous conditions, substituting mechanical manual inspection with digital automated processing.

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

3Productivity

If traditional photography methods are used, then the process is simple, but the acquisition process is slow and tedious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacquisition speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures multiple images from different angles and processes them through automated algorithms to generate depth maps and three-dimensional models. This continuous automated processing eliminates the slow, tedious nature of traditional photography while maintaining relatively simple device requirements, significantly improving acquisition speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3668387B1Systems and methods for analyzing cutaneous conditions
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 IKO PTE LTD
  • EP3668387B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3668387B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3668387B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The following disclosure discusses systems and methods of detecting and analyzing cutaneous conditions. According to one embodiment, a 2D image of the cutaneous condition and a set of 3D point clouds associated with the 2D image are captured using an image capturing device. The 2D image and the set of 3D point clouds are sent to a computing device. The computing device generates a 3D surface according to the set of 3D point clouds. Subsequently, the computing device receives a depth map for the 2D image based upon the 3D surface from another computing device such that the depth map comprises depth data for each pixel of the 2D image. The cutaneous condition may then be measured and analyzed based upon the depth map using the computing device.