Foot Imaging Apparatus with Light Deflector for Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for acquiring 3D plantar foot images, especially in a semi-weight-bearing state, face challenges in ensuring correct foot positioning due to difficulties in visualizing the forefoot and achieving appropriate soft tissue deformation, leading to unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
A foot imaging apparatus with a flexible membrane and a monitoring unit that includes a camera and light deflector to assess and adjust the positioning of the foot, providing real-time feedback on the alignment and deformation of the foot, ensuring accurate placement before image acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical imaging techniques are used to acquire 3D plantar images in semi-weight-bearing state, then measurement accuracy is improved, but difficulty in detecting and measuring increases due to challenges in visualizing forefoot positioning and achieving proper soft tissue deformation
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is introduced as an intermediary optical element to redirect light from the forefoot region to the camera. The mirror serves as a mediator that makes the otherwise invisible forefoot positioning visible to the monitoring camera, allowing operators to assess and adjust foot positioning without directly viewing the forefoot area.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring camera is positioned in a different spatial dimension (above the membrane) rather than at ground level, and uses a mirror to capture forefoot positioning from this elevated perspective. This dimensional change allows visualization of the forefoot region that would be obscured from conventional viewing angles.
2Ease of operation
If traditional casting techniques are used to measure foot shape, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming and labor-intensive processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical casting processes (plaster or foam box impressions) with optical imaging technology. A 3D imager captures plantar foot shape data optically, eliminating the need for physical casting materials and manual mold-making processes, thereby significantly reducing treatment time while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating physical copies (casts) of the foot, the system creates digital 3D copies of the plantar foot surface. The 3D imager captures optical information to generate a digital representation of the foot shape, which can be stored, transmitted, and used for orthotic design without physical handling or shipping of molds.
3Ease of operation
If full-weight-bearing scanning is used to capture foot images, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to significant deformation affecting arch measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a monitoring camera with mirror feedback to provide real-time visual information about foot positioning on the membrane. Operators can observe the reflected image of the forefoot and membrane deformation, and adjust positioning accordingly to achieve the desired semi-weight-bearing state before 3D scanning, ensuring measurement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.
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
The apparatus ensures correct foot positioning, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of 3D plantar images by providing real-time monitoring and adjustment capabilities, improving the representation of natural foot deformation and reducing the need for repeated scans.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light deflector arranged to deflect light from the monitored region into the field of view of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A foot imaging apparatus includes a support structure and a flexible membrane suspended from the support structure and configured to receive a foot thereon. The apparatus also includes a three-dimensional imager located under the flexible membrane and configured to acquire a topographical plantar image of the foot on the flexible membrane. The apparatus further includes a monitoring unit for monitoring a monitored region in order to evaluate a positioning of the foot on the flexible membrane. The monitoring unit includes a camera having a field of view, and at least one light deflector arranged to deflect light from the monitored region into the field of view of the camera. The camera acquires a monitoring image of the monitored region after deflection by the at least one light deflector. The monitoring image contains information about the positioning of the foot on the flexible membrane. A foot imaging method is also provided.