3D Ear Canal Scanning Using Frequency-Modulated Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional scanning techniques for external and internal human body surfaces are inaccurate due to patient movement and equipment vibration, and the impression process for custom-made hearing aids is time-consuming, uncomfortable, and prone to errors, especially in dynamic ear canals.
Innovation Solution
A system that projects electromagnetic radiation onto a surface using a spatial signal modulation algorithm, capturing images with a probe equipped with an illumination and imaging subsystem to create a full-field, 3-D representation of the surface, allowing for quick and accurate modeling of ear canals for earmold manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser-based scanning is used to create three-dimensional maps, then surface mapping capability is provided, but patient movement and equipment vibration cause measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The system intentionally vibrates the probe at a known frequency to modulate the optical path length. By detecting the frequency-shifted reflected light, the system can distinguish between intentional probe movement and unwanted patient movement or equipment vibration, thereby maintaining measurement precision even during physiological motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the frequency-modulated light signals to continuously track and compensate for probe position changes. The detected frequency shifts provide real-time feedback about probe movement, allowing the system to adjust measurements and maintain accuracy despite patient movement or equipment instability.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional impression taking is used for hearing aid fitting, then earmold customization is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and causes patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical impression-taking process with optical measurement. Instead of using physical impression materials that require setting time, the system uses light to capture three-dimensional ear canal geometry instantly, eliminating waiting time and patient discomfort while maintaining manufacturing precision for earmold fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital optical copy of the ear canal geometry rather than a physical impression. This digital model can be immediately processed and used for earmold manufacturing, eliminating the time-consuming steps of material application, curing, and physical model creation while preserving the accuracy needed for precise fitting.
3Loss of information
If multiple impressions are taken to account for jaw movement, then measurement completeness is improved, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically tracks jaw movement in real-time during the scanning process. By continuously monitoring the position changes and adjusting the measurement accordingly, the system captures complete ear canal geometry information in a single dynamic scan, eliminating the need for multiple static impressions and reducing process complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides real-time, accurate 3-D surface replication of body surfaces, reducing inaccuracies from patient movement and equipment vibration, and enables rapid, comfortable, and precise earmold fitting by generating detailed ear canal models.
Implementation Method 1
An image sensor may be configured to capture image data representing reflections of the projected pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may be used to perform measurement of surfaces, such as external and internal surfaces of the human body, in full-field and in 3-D. Embodiments of the present invention may include an electromagnetic radiation source, which may be configured to project electromagnetic radiation onto a surface. The electromagnetic radiation source may be configured to project the electromagnetic radiation in a pattern corresponding to a spatial signal modulation algorithm. The electromagnetic radiation source may also be configured to project the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency suitable for transmission through the media in which the radiation is projected. An image sensor may be configured to capture image data representing the projected pattern. An image-processing module may be configured to receive the captured image data from the image sensor and to calculate a full-field, 3-D representation of the surface using the captured image data and the spatial signal modulation algorithm. A display device may be configured to display the full-field, 3-D representation of the surface.