Remote Range of Motion Measurement via Video Overlay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring a patient's range of motion require in-person visits, as traditional goniometers need physical contact with the patient, making it impractical for telehealth settings where environmental or personal health factors hinder travel.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for remotely monitoring range of motion using video communication, where a healthcare professional guides the patient to position themselves, captures images, selects reference points, calculates angles, and stores the data, allowing for remote measurement and storage in a HIPAA-compliant system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional goniometer measurements are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring in-person visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the goniometer measurement process by capturing images of the patient's joint and using image processing to calculate angles. Instead of requiring physical contact with a traditional goniometer, the system captures visual data and processes it computationally to derive range of motion measurements, enabling remote operation while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical goniometer system with a computational image processing system. The physical device that requires direct contact is substituted with software that processes images from a camera, eliminating the need for mechanical contact while preserving the angle measurement function through mathematical calculations on image coordinates
2Adaptability or versatility
If telehealth visits are implemented, then ease of operation improves for remote patients, but measurement precision deteriorates without physical contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of image capture and processing software that bridges the gap between remote telehealth interaction and accurate measurement. The intermediary processes visual data to extract angular measurements, enabling adaptation to remote settings while compensating for the lack of direct physical contact through computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct physical contact points to visual landmarks on the patient's body that can be identified in images. By transforming the measurement approach from tactile to visual, the system adapts to telehealth constraints while maintaining the ability to calculate range of motion through coordinate-based angle determination
3Adaptability or versatility
If video communication is used for remote measurement, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to image processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that combines video communication, image capture, automated image processing, and angle calculation capabilities within a single platform. This universal system handles multiple tasks (communication, measurement, analysis) that would otherwise require separate devices, managing complexity through integration rather than multiplication of components
Data Source
AI summary
A platform for monitoring range of motion in a joint includes initiating a range of motion monitoring application and connecting the application to a video communication platform. Video data, comprising the joint of the patient, is received from the communication platform. The platform may be used to determine that the patient is in position for calculating a range of motion of the joint, and capture an image of the joint from the received video data. The platform receives, from a user, a selection of a first set of points used in measuring range of motion, and calculates a first angle measurement associated with the range of motion of the joint based on the selected set of points. The captured image is displayed together with an overlay comprising the first set of points and the first calculated angle, and the captured image and the overlay are stored to a storage device.