Non-contact Infant Anthropometry via 3D Model Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current contact measuring methods in pediatrics are challenging due to the need for infants to maintain specific body poses and physical contact, which can be difficult for young children to cooperate with, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact measuring method and apparatus that acquire human and depth images to establish an infant body model, calculate anthropometric characteristic points, and update the model to obtain accurate measurements without physical contact, using ultrasonic sensors for hair and cloth thickness correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact measuring methods are used to measure infants' anthropometric data, then measurement accuracy can be improved through physical contact and pose control, but the difficulty of operation increases due to infants' inability to cooperate with mandatory pose requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact measuring system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical contact tools like rulers and tapes that require infant cooperation, the system uses cameras to capture images and automatically calculates anthropometric measurements through image processing and 3D reconstruction, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and pose control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (3D model) of the infant's body from captured images. By constructing a three-dimensional body model through photogrammetry and depth mapping, the system extracts anthropometric measurements from the digital replica rather than requiring direct physical measurement, thus avoiding the need for infant pose compliance
2Ease of operation
If non-contact measuring apparatuses designed for adults are used, then ease of operation is improved by eliminating pose requirements, but measurement precision deteriorates because these apparatuses do not suit infants' small body proportions and inability to stand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the measuring system specifically for infants by implementing localized adjustments in the imaging geometry, processing algorithms, and measurement protocols. The system uses multiple cameras positioned at specific angles suitable for capturing infant body proportions, and the 3D reconstruction algorithm is tuned to handle the unique characteristics of infant anatomy, ensuring accurate measurements without requiring standing poses
3Productivity
If multiple independent measuring apparatuses are integrated into one intelligent apparatus, then productivity is improved by simultaneous measurement of multiple indicators, but device complexity increases due to integration of multiple measuring units and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent measuring functions into a single integrated system. By combining weight measurement, length measurement, head circumference measurement, and chest circumference measurement into one unified apparatus that uses a common imaging and processing platform, the system achieves simultaneous multi-parameter measurement while reducing overall system complexity compared to integrating multiple separate devices
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contact measuring method in pediatrics is disclosed. An infant model is established by acquiring a human image and a depth image of a subject infant; updating the infant model by acquiring a plurality of anthropometric characteristic points and finally obtaining an anthropometric data of the subject infant from the updated infant model. This invention also provides an apparatus to achieve the above mentioned measuring method. An infant model which includes anthropometric characteristic points and 3D surface models is established based on a human image acquired by an image acquisition module and a depth image acquired by a depth information acquisition module in conjunction with an algorithm program built in a data acquisition and processing module. Human anthropometric data is obtained by analyzing the infant model. The non-contact measuring method and measuring apparatus in pediatrics make the measuring process more humane without contacting a subject body.