Magnetic Body Surface Shape Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting three-dimensional body surface shapes in orthopaedic and medical contexts are either invasive, costly, energy-intensive, or unable to accurately capture complete surface data without post-processing, particularly when therapeutic actions or support devices obstruct optical scanning.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensor field with magnetic field sensors and a signal processing unit that generates and processes position signals from a magnetic field to create a closed surface model of the body surface, allowing for reliable and complete detection without manual rework or high-energy imaging methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If optical scanning methods are used to detect body surface shapes, then the detection can be performed non-invasively and without radiation exposure, but the scanning is obstructed when therapeutic actions or support devices cover body regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical scanning methods with a magnetic field-based sensing system. Magnetic field sensors detect the position and orientation of markers attached to the body surface by sensing distortions in a magnetic field generated by a portable device. This substitution eliminates the line-of-sight requirement of optical methods, allowing accurate detection even when body regions are covered by therapeutic devices or during manual manipulation.
2Reliability
If plaster casts with later optical digitization are used, then complete surface coverage is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The system attaches magnetic markers directly to the body surface in advance, before scanning begins. These markers serve as reference points that enable the magnetic sensors to accurately determine surface geometry. This preliminary marking step eliminates the need for time-consuming plaster casting and subsequent optical digitization, as the magnetic field can directly sense the marked surface points in real-time.
3Measurement precision
If transilluminating imaging methods like computer tomography are used to detect internal body components, then detailed internal shaping information is obtained, but the methods involve radiation exposure and high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes radiation-based transillumination methods with a magnetic field sensing approach. By attaching magnetic markers to the body surface and detecting their positions and orientations using magnetic sensors, the system achieves detailed surface and near-surface geometry information without ionizing radiation. The magnetic field penetrates tissue effectively, enabling precise measurement of body surface shapes and internal component positioning relative to the surface.
4Productivity
If optical digitizing systems are used to scan visible body regions, then the detection can be performed quickly, but regions covered during scanning must be reworked manually or supplemented by extrapolation
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces line-of-sight optical scanning with magnetic field-based sensing that can detect markers regardless of their visibility. Magnetic field lines penetrate through and around obstacles, allowing sensors to detect marker positions even when body regions are covered by therapeutic devices or manipulated by therapists. This eliminates the need for manual rework or extrapolation of missing data, maintaining both speed and completeness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise, cost-effective, and energy-efficient detection of body surface shapes, facilitating the development of orthopaedic aids with improved fit and comfort by avoiding the need for post-processing and reducing health risks associated with traditional imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field generator (7) for generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the sensor field (1)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system and a method for detecting a surface shape of a human or animal body surface. A plurality of magnetic field sensors (2) arranged relative to one another in a sensor field (1) is placed on a plurality of surface regions of the body surface. A magnetic field generator (7) generates a magnetic field in the vicinity of the sensor field, so that a plurality of surface signals belonging to the surface regions are generated by using the magnetic field sensors (2). The surface signals serve as position signals with regard to the orientation and position of the magnetic field sensors in the magnetic field, so that the surface shape of the body surface is determined from the plurality of position signals of the magnetic field sensors (2) by using a signal processing unit (5).