3D Joint Kinematics Visualization with Superimposed Vectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for visualizing joint kinematics and kinetics are difficult to interpret clinically, especially in real-time, as they require mental combination of 2D graphs and do not effectively show the spatial relationship of articular motion and forces with anatomical structures, making it challenging to diagnose and treat joint injuries accurately.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for real-time visual representation of joint kinematics using 3D models with dynamically displayed kinematic object vectors superimposed on anatomical structures, allowing for the visualization of kinematic parameters like amplitude, orientation, and forces in a spatially relevant manner, utilizing input/output interfaces, processors, and motion capture systems to provide a reproducible and clinically relevant representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If 2D graphs are used to visualize kinematics data, then data can be displayed, but the reader must understand the graphs and combine them mentally to get a sense of how the joint is moving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D graph representations to 3D visual representations of joint structures with motion paths displayed in three-dimensional space. This dimensionality change allows the spatial relationships and actual movement trajectories of joint components to be visualized directly without requiring mental reconstruction from multiple 2D views, thereby preserving spatial relationship information while improving ease of interpretation
2Measurement precision
If 3D motion is split according to referentials, then up to three values of rotation and three values of translation are obtained for each time interval, but 360 numerical values per second of kinematic recording are obtained which are difficult to interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies or representations of the complex kinematic data in the form of 3D motion paths and trajectories that are superimposed on the joint structure visualization. Instead of presenting raw numerical values (360 values per second), the system generates visual copies showing the actual movement paths, making the precise kinematic measurements clinically interpretable while maintaining measurement precision
3Device complexity
If the instantaneous helical axis method is used to represent motion, then motion is represented as a single rotation axis and translation, but it is not easy to interpret clinically if not related to anatomical structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the instantaneous helical axis method with anatomical structure visualization by displaying the motion paths and trajectories directly on or relative to the 3D rendered joint structures. This combination maintains the simplicity of representing motion as rotation and translation while anchoring these abstract concepts to concrete anatomical references, thereby achieving both simplicity and clinical interpretability
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a method and system for visually representing the kinematics of a patient's joint in real-time. The method comprises the steps of receiving characteristics of a measured movement of the joint, computing at least one kinematic object vector using specific morphology of the Joint structures and the characteristics of the measured movement of the joint, displaying a 3D representation of the joint structures based on the specific morphology of the joint structures and on the characteristics of measured movement of the joint, linking the at least one kinematic object vector with the joint structures and dynamically displaying the at least one kinematic object vector superimposed on the 3D representation of the joint structures.