External Fixation Strut Length Detection via Smartphone Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for systems and methods to accurately determine whether and how a fixation frame adjustment is proceeding according to a correction schedule in external fixation systems, as patients may not correctly adjust these devices without physician supervision, leading to potential misalignment or incomplete adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that receives images of the external fixation system, identifies and measures strut lengths, compares them to planned lengths, and transmits information for adjustments, using visual indicia such as QR codes to ensure compliance with the correction plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If patients adjust external fixators themselves without physician supervision, then the need for frequent physician visits is reduced, but the accuracy and compliance of adjustments according to the correction plan deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated image capture and analysis that provides real-time feedback on strut length measurements. The computer system compares measured lengths against the correction plan and generates alerts when deviations occur, enabling continuous monitoring without requiring frequent in-person physician visits while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual physician measurement and verification with an automated optical measurement system. Image processing algorithms automatically measure strut lengths from photographs, eliminating the need for physical measurement tools and reducing human error in measurement while maintaining high precision through computational analysis.
2Ease of operation
If patients adjust external fixators themselves, then ease of operation improves, but reliability of compliance with correction plan deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated compliance monitoring by capturing images of the external fixator, measuring strut lengths, and comparing them against the predetermined correction plan. The computer system generates compliance reports and alerts physicians when deviations occur, maintaining reliability of compliance verification while allowing patients to perform adjustments independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables patients to independently adjust their own external fixators using a handheld device to capture images and receive guidance on proper adjustment. The system empowers patients to self-monitor and self-adjust while the automated measurement system ensures compliance with the correction plan, combining patient autonomy with reliable verification.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicia such as QR codes are used on struts, then ease of identification and tracking improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual indicia such as QR codes or barcodes on struts that can be captured by a camera and processed by image recognition software. This creates a digital copy of the strut identification information that can be easily read and stored, simplifying the tracking and identification process while adding minimal physical complexity to the fixator system.
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device, such as a camera-enabled smart phone, may be used to take one or more pictures of an external fixation frame attached to a patient. The pictures may be transmitted to a computer system accessible by the patient's physician. The computer system may uniquely identify each strut of the external fixation frame and determine the length of each strut. The computer system may compare the determined length of each strut to a planned length of the struts for a particular time interval as outlined in a correction plan. If the struts are the correct length for the particular time interval, the fact may be indicated to the physician and transmitted to the patient. If the struts are not the correct length, the computer system may update the correction plan to account for the discrepancy plan, with the updated correction plan transmitted to the patient.