3D Limb Workspace Assessment Using Colored Spot Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing limb mobility in 3D space lack accuracy and intuitive data visualization, particularly in distinguishing varying degrees of upper limb functional impairments and monitoring rehabilitation progress.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing sensors and computer processing to calculate and visualize the 3D workspace by associating limb position points with predetermined portions of the limb, providing a 2+1D representation on display surfaces, allowing for intuitive assessment and visualization of the reachable workspace through colored spots indicating depth and reachability, with adjustable thresholds and challenge levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional workspace assessment methods are used, then the assessment process is simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy of limb mobility assessment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D or scalar workspace measurements to comprehensive 3D workspace assessment. The system captures limb position data in three-dimensional space (x, y, z coordinates) and generates 3D visual representations of reachable workspaces, enabling accurate measurement of workspace volume, surface area, and spatial distribution that cannot be obtained with simpler 2D methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates visual copies and representations of the actual 3D workspace through colored spots and graphical displays on screen surfaces. These visual copies allow clinicians to assess and analyze workspace characteristics without directly measuring physical space, replacing complex physical measurement apparatus with optical and computational modeling systems.
2Measurement precision
If complex 3D workspace data is collected, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation and data visualization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates visual copies of 3D workspace data through colored spots displayed on screen surfaces surrounding the patient. Each spot's position, color, and intensity encode specific spatial information about limb reachability, transforming complex numerical coordinate data into intuitive visual representations that clinicians can easily interpret.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color variations to encode different aspects of workspace data. Colored spots on the display surfaces represent different spatial locations and reachability characteristics, allowing clinicians to quickly assess workspace volume, boundaries, and accessibility patterns through visual color cues rather than analyzing raw numerical data.
3Measurement precision
If shape primitives are used to model workspace, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and fidelity of workspace representation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the continuous 3D workspace into discrete volumetric elements or voxels, each represented by colored spots on display surfaces. This segmentation allows precise representation of irregular workspace boundaries and varying reachability characteristics without requiring complex analytical geometry or simplified shape approximations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system represents 3D workspace characteristics by projecting data onto multiple 2D screen surfaces surrounding the patient. This multi-surface visualization approach preserves three-dimensional spatial information while utilizing flat display technologies, avoiding the need for complex 3D graphical rendering or simplified geometric models.
4Measurement precision
If detailed limb position data is captured throughout 3D space, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time for data acquisition and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection by having patients perform standardized limb movement patterns that systematically explore the reachable workspace before detailed analysis. This preliminary exploration phase captures the essential boundaries and volume of the workspace, allowing rapid assessment without requiring exhaustive sampling of every possible limb position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time visual feedback to patients through the colored spot displays, allowing them to see their current limb position and reachable areas during the assessment. This feedback mechanism guides patients to efficiently explore workspace boundaries and ensures complete coverage of the reachable volume, reducing the number of trials needed for accurate measurement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for an assessment of a movement of a limb-related point (32) in a predetermined 3D space effected by a user displacing said limb (15) in the 3D space allowing said movement, comprises the steps of: providing a computer,providing one or more display surfaces (105) around the 3D space around the user(10), providing a limb position point (22) connected to a predetermined portion of the limb (15) of the user(10) which is associated to the limb-related point (32)and providing sensors adapted to detect the position of the limb position point (22) in the 3D space in relation to the joint (31). The computer program can be adapted to calculate the direction defined by the straight line (30) between the joint (31) and the limb-related point (32) and to provide a representation of the position of the limb-related point (32) in the 3D space as function of the distance (35) between said joint (31) and the limb-related point (32)on one of the display surfaces(105) on said line (30).