Portable Multispectral Imaging with Distance-Guided LED Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for wound assessment in diabetic patients are resource-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring frequent visits to primary care physicians for monitoring and early detection of tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A portable multispectral imaging device is used to capture images of a tissue region, with a method that includes determining the distance between the device and the region of interest, adjusting the light source unit to achieve standardized illumination, and triggering an image capturing sequence when the device is positioned correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a portable multispectral imaging device is used for remote tissue assessment, then the need for frequent medical visits is reduced and productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to varying distances between the device and tissue region
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a distance sensor that continuously monitors the distance between the imaging device and the tissue region, providing feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of distance variations, allowing the system to maintain optimal imaging conditions despite the portable nature of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts imaging parameters such as light source intensity and exposure time based on the detected distance. When the distance changes, the system dynamically modifies these parameters to compensate for the varying light path, thereby maintaining consistent image quality and measurement precision across different operating distances.
2Ease of operation
If the device allows flexible positioning for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but illumination consistency deteriorates due to varying distances affecting light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static illumination approach to a dynamic one, where light source intensity is continuously adjusted based on real-time distance measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain standardized illumination conditions regardless of its position relative to the tissue region.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit modifies the light source intensity parameter in response to distance variations detected by the distance sensor. By changing this parameter dynamically, the system compensates for the inverse square law effect, ensuring that the tissue region receives consistent illumination intensity even when the device is repositioned for portability.
3Measurement precision
If distance measurement and correction mechanisms are added, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the portable device and the tissue region. By introducing this single measurement component, the system gains the ability to compensate for distance variations through software-based parameter adjustments, avoiding the need for complex mechanical positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces potential mechanical positioning or adjustment mechanisms with an optical/electronic solution. Instead of using complex mechanical systems to maintain fixed distances, the patent uses a distance sensor combined with software-controlled parameter adjustments to achieve the same goal, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving precision.
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
This approach enables efficient and non-invasive remote tissue assessment, reducing the need for frequent medical visits and improving the early detection and monitoring of diabetic wounds.
Implementation Method 1
obtaining N image datasets of the ROI by sensing reflectances using a light sensor when the ROI is illuminated by light generated sequentially by one of N LEDs
Implementation Method 2
the distance sensor is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A method for positioning a portable multispectral imaging device within a target distance range relative to a surface for imaging a region of interest (ROI) of the surface. The method generally involves determining a distance between the portable multispectral imaging device and the ROI of the surface determining whether the distance is within the target distance range generating a signal indicating to a user that the portable multispectral imaging device is not within the target distance range and providing instructions to the user to guide that the user for repositioning the portable multispectral imaging device; and triggering an image capturing sequence when the portable multispectral imaging device is within the target distance range. A method for calibrating a light source unit of the portable multispectral imaging device and a portable multispectral imaging device are also described.