Estimating Rib Cage Geometry from Optical Surface Scans

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for simulating breast surgery outcomes require expensive or risky MR or CT imaging to acquire patient-specific images, which is not feasible for all patients.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system that estimates the geometry of internal structures within a biomechanical assembly, such as the rib cage, using optical surface imaging and metadata, allowing for biomechanical simulations without the need for invasive imaging techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If MR or CT imaging is used to acquire patient-specific images, then the precision of biomechanical simulation is improved, but the cost and health risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of biomechanical simulationVSAvoidhealth risks and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital surface copy of the patient's anatomy using optical scanning technology. This surface model serves as a substitute for expensive and potentially harmful internal imaging, capturing the external geometry that can be used for biomechanical simulation without requiring MR or CT scans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/radiological imaging systems (MR and CT scanners) with an optical imaging system. This substitution uses light-based surface scanning instead of radiation-based internal imaging, eliminating the associated health risks and reducing costs while still providing sufficient data for simulation purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If optical surface imaging is used instead of MR or CT, then cost and safety are improved, but the ability to measure internal structures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and costVSAvoidability to measure internal structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by not trying to image internal structures directly. Instead, it captures the external surface geometry and uses this inverted approach to infer internal structural information, achieving the measurement goal through indirect observation rather than direct imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computational model as an intermediary between the optical surface scan and the biomechanical simulation. This model translates surface geometry data into estimates of internal structure properties, bridging the gap between external observation and internal measurement without requiring direct internal imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10692208B2Chest wall estimation from optical scans

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

An image processing system (IPS) includes an input port (IN) for receiving a surface image of an outer layer (OL) of a current biomechanical assembly (TOR). The surface image is acquired by a surface imaging apparatus (DSC) along at least one imaging direction. The assembly includes relative to the imaging direction behind the outer layer, an inner wall (RC) element coupled from behind to the outer layer. The image processing system further includes a wall estimator (WE) configured to provide an estimate for geometrical data of the inner wall element (RC), the estimate being based on image information as per the surface image.