Automated Functional Form Generation for Orthosis Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual preparation and adaptation of patient-specific orthoses or prostheses are time-consuming, costly, and require extensive education and expertise, including proficiency in software handling for certified prosthetists and orthotists.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a transfer algorithm, statistical shape models, and neural networks to automate the creation of a functional form from anatomic structural data, reducing the need for extensive knowledge and time by encoding and decoding data to generate optimized geometry for orthosis or prosthesis fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual preparation and adaptation methods are used, then customization and precision fitting are achieved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating a functional form model from anatomic scan data before the actual orthosis/prosthesis manufacturing process. This pre-computed functional form serves as a ready-to-use template that eliminates the need for time-consuming manual measurements and adaptations during the fitting process, while still achieving precise customization through the automated generation of patient-specific geometric data
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy (functional form model) of the patient's anatomic structure through scan data processing. This digital functional form serves as a virtual replica that can be manipulated, analyzed, and used for manufacturing planning without requiring physical manipulation of the patient's actual extremity, thereby saving time while maintaining the precision needed for customization
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adaptation by certified professionals is performed, then high-quality individualized orthoses or prostheses are produced, but extensive education and software handling expertise are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automating the functional form generation process through algorithms that automatically process anatomic scan data and generate the necessary geometric models. This eliminates the need for certified professionals to manually operate complex software tools, as the system performs the computational tasks autonomously, thereby reducing the education and software expertise requirements while maintaining high individualization quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/manual process of professional measurement and software operation with an automated computational system. Instead of relying on human experts to manually input data and manipulate software interfaces, the system uses automated image processing algorithms and computational geometry to generate the functional form, thereby substituting complex human-operated software systems with simpler automated processing
3Productivity
If automated transfer algorithms are used, then time and cost efficiency improve, but the complexity of data processing and algorithm implementation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data processing by pre-processing the anatomic scan data into a standardized format suitable for functional form generation. This includes tasks such as noise filtering, feature detection, and coordinate system alignment that are performed automatically before the main functional form computation, thereby streamlining the overall process and improving efficiency without requiring complex real-time processing during manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a universal data processing framework that handles multiple types of anatomic data and generates functional forms for different applications (orthoses, prostheses). The same core algorithmic infrastructure processes various input data formats and produces appropriate output models, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized processing systems for different medical applications and simplifying the overall data processing architecture
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a computer-implemented method for creating a functional form, in particular as a basis for individually fitting an orthosis or prosthesis to a first patient, comprising the steps of receiving of anatomic structural data (ASD) of the first patient and applying a transfer algorithm to generate functional form data (FFD) for the first patient, whereby the received functional form data (FFD) forms the basis on which an individualized orthosis or prosthesis is manufactured. Furthermore, the invention refers to a data processing system and a computer-readable medium.