Phototherapy Imaging Alignment Using Multi-Camera Body Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phototherapy devices struggle with accurately aligning light irradiation regions with treatment sites, especially when the treatment site is not visible to the patient, such as the back or waist, and existing image-guided systems face challenges in combining multiple camera images for precise alignment.
Innovation Solution
A phototherapy device equipped with a barrel, imaging units, a deviation amount calculation unit, an image combining unit, and a display unit that overlays the target position, allowing for accurate alignment of the light irradiation region with the treatment site by combining multiple images and using markings to determine the target position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If multiple cameras are used to image the treatment site, then the field of view is improved, but the image combination and alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a marking as an intermediary object placed on the patient's body at the treatment site. The marking serves as a common reference point that both cameras can image, enabling precise alignment through the marking's known geometry rather than relying on direct imaging of the treatment site itself. This mediator resolves the conflict between wide field of view and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the treatment site by combining images of the marking from multiple cameras to generate a three-dimensional position. This virtual representation allows precise alignment without requiring the actual treatment site to be directly visible to all cameras, thus maintaining both wide field of view and alignment precision.
2Ease of operation
If the patient performs self-alignment using monitor images, then the ease of operation is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visual indicators with distinct colors and patterns on the marking and in the overlay display to guide patient alignment. The marking includes color-coded regions and the display shows colored overlay images that clearly indicate alignment status, making it easy for patients to achieve precise alignment themselves without requiring complex adjustments or expert knowledge.
3Reliability
If the barrel tip is positioned to contact the body for treatment, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the ability to image the treatment site deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging of the marking before the barrel tip contacts the body. The marking is imaged from multiple angles and positions used to calculate the three-dimensional position of the treatment site. This preliminary action allows the system to establish accurate alignment data before the barrel obscures the view, enabling both effective treatment and accurate imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image capture to three-dimensional position calculation. By using multiple cameras to capture the marking from different angles and computing the three-dimensional coordinates of the treatment site, the system overcomes the limitation of the barrel blocking the direct line of sight to the treatment area while maintaining imaging capability.
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 accurate alignment of light irradiation with the treatment site, facilitating effective and simple self-administered phototherapy at home by patients, even for areas that are not easily visible, by using a combination of imaging units and marking alignment techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a light source which is installed inside the barrel and which emits light
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of imaging units for imaging a marking arranged on a body
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a phototherapy device with which a light irradiation region can be accurately positioned on a treatment site. The phototherapy device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a barrel, a light source which is installed inside the barrel and which emits light, a plurality of imaging units for imaging a marking arranged on a body, a deviation amount calculation unit for calculating a deviation amount between a plurality of images of the marking included in a plurality of images captured by the plurality of imaging units, an image combining unit for combining the plurality of images of the marking based on the calculated deviation amount, a target position determination unit for determining a position of a target in the combined image corresponding to an irradiation region of light from the light source, and a display unit for overlaying and displaying an image of a target on the combined image of the marking.