Limb Tension Calculation for Reliable Compression Garment Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for determining the tension value of a limb for custom-tailored compression garments are unreliable due to their dependence on manual measurement skills, leading to inconsistent and suboptimal results, which can result in complaints from users.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that calculates the tension value from the skin value using a calculation instruction parametrized by parameters derived from a dataset of associated tuples, allowing for standardized and reproducible measurements, potentially using big data evaluation and 3D scanning devices for contact-free measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual measurement methods are used to determine tension value, then the measurement process is simple to perform, but the reliability and consistency of the measurement results deteriorate due to dependence on staff skill and experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical measurement system with an automated image processing system. Instead of relying on staff to manually apply tension and read measurements, the system uses images of the limb with a visible measuring scale, processes these images computationally to detect the measuring line and calculate the tension value automatically. This substitution eliminates human skill dependency while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the measurement process through images. Rather than directly measuring with physical tools, the system captures images showing the limb and measuring scale, then processes these visual copies to extract measurement data. This copying approach allows automated analysis while preserving the visual information needed for accurate measurement determination.
2Reliability
If automated image processing methods are used to determine tension value, then the reliability and consistency of measurement results improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the image processing system universal by using standard image processing techniques that can handle various limb shapes, sizes, and positions. The measuring scale and line detection algorithms are designed to work across different measurement scenarios without requiring specialized equipment for each case, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual measuring scale as an intermediary element between the limb and the measurement system. This scale appears in the images and serves as a reference that bridges the physical measurement process and the digital image processing analysis. The measuring line drawn on the scale provides a clear, detectable feature that simplifies the computational extraction of tension values without requiring complex direct sensing equipment.
3Device complexity
If manual tension measurement is performed, then equipment requirements are minimal, but measurement precision deteriorates due to human error and variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement with automated image-based measurement. The system uses computational algorithms to detect the measuring line and calculate tension values from images, eliminating human reading errors and variability. This substitution maintains simple equipment requirements (camera or image source plus processing software) while dramatically improving measurement precision through automated, consistent analysis.
4Reliability
If standardized calculation methods are used to determine tension value from skin value, then measurement consistency improves, but adaptability to individual patient variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing the measuring line to be positioned specifically for each patient's limb characteristics. Rather than using a single standardized measurement location, the system can adapt the position and orientation of the measuring line based on the individual patient's anatomy visible in the images, maintaining consistency through standardized processing while adapting to local patient-specific variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented method for determining a tension value of a limb of a person, the tension value of the limb being used along with a skin value of the limb for production of a custom-tailored compression garment for the limb, the skin value describing the circumference of the limb without any applied compression and the tension value describing the circumference of the limb with the compression garment applying a desired compression, wherein the skin value of the limb is received and the tension value of the limb is calculated from the skin value according to a calculation instruction parametrized by at least one parameter, the parameter being derived from a dataset comprising multiple associated tuples of skin values and tension values.