Depth Camera Limb Volume Measurement for Home Edema Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring limb volume, such as water displacement and 3D imaging, are cumbersome, prone to inter-operator variation, and non-compliant with patient use, making them unsuitable for routine home monitoring of peripheral edema associated with heart failure.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using a depth sensing camera system with IR and visible light cameras, combined with 2D and 3D image analysis, identifies and measures limb volume by generating a deformable 3D model that adjusts to patient orientation and joint angles, allowing opportunistic and precise volumetric data capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water displacement technique is used for limb volume measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water displacement system with an optical imaging system. A camera captures images of the limb, and image processing algorithms automatically calculate volume based on the captured visual data, eliminating the need for manual water displacement operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or model of the limb through image capture and processing. Instead of physically displacing water to measure volume, the system creates a digital representation from which volume can be calculated, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining precision.
2Ease of operation
If 3D imaging system is used for limb volume measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to patient orientation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic measurement system that can accommodate varying patient orientations. Rather than requiring fixed positioning, the system adapts to different limb positions and orientations, using image processing to accurately calculate volume regardless of how the patient is positioned during measurement.
3Measurement precision
If smart socks or similar devices are used for limb volume monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to patient compliance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-service measurement system where the patient simply needs to position their limb in the camera's field of view. The system automatically captures images and calculates volume without requiring the patient to perform any complex actions, wear special devices, or follow complicated procedures, thereby significantly improving compliance.
4Measurement precision
If multiple reference points, lines, curves or planes are identified for limb volume measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential volume measurement information directly from the captured images through automated image processing. Rather than requiring manual identification of multiple reference points and complex geometric constructions, the system processes the image data to directly derive volume measurements, simplifying the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining volumetric data of a predetermined anatomical feature is described. The method comprising determining volumetric data of one or more anatomical features present in a field of view of a depth sensing camera apparatus, identifying a predetermined anatomical feature as being present in the field of view of the depth sensing camera apparatus, associating the volumetric data of one of the one or more anatomical features with the identified predetermined anatomical feature, and outputting the volumetric data of the predetermined anatomical feature. An apparatus is also described.