Robotic Skin Imaging with Guided Control Points for Reproducibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems for skin, hair, and nails are resource-intensive, prone to errors, and struggle to produce high-quality, reproducible images due to inconsistencies in lighting and camera positioning, which complicates early detection and diagnosis of skin conditions like skin cancer.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a digital camera, light source, and navigation system to capture high-resolution images of a subject's skin, hair, and nails by generating a photography scheme with defined control points for location, orientation, and photography parameters, ensuring consistent and reproducible imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional imaging systems with multiple cameras are used to capture skin images, then image coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple sequential captures at different positions around the patient's body. Instead of using multiple cameras simultaneously, a single camera system moves through predefined photography control points to capture complete body surface images, dividing the imaging task into discrete positional segments
Solution Approach 2:
A guidance system acts as an intermediary between the camera system and the patient. This guidance system provides visual cues and feedback to operators, ensuring consistent positioning and orientation at each photography control point, thereby achieving reproducible images without requiring complex multi-camera setups
2Ease of operation
If manual positioning of cameras is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Photography control points are pre-defined with specific location and orientation parameters before the imaging session. These control points establish predetermined positions around the patient's body where images should be captured, allowing operators to follow a structured protocol that ensures consistent positioning without requiring manual measurement or complex alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The guidance system provides real-time visual feedback to operators during the imaging process. This feedback mechanism displays information about current positioning relative to the desired control points, enabling operators to make adjustments and achieve accurate positioning through iterative correction rather than relying solely on initial manual placement
3Ease of operation
If inconsistent lighting conditions are used during imaging, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system standardizes lighting parameters as part of the predefined photography control points. By establishing specific lighting conditions at each control point and incorporating them into the imaging protocol, the system ensures consistent illumination across all images while maintaining operational simplicity through automated or semi-automated lighting control
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A method for photographing at least a portion of a subject is disclosed, the method comprising: generating a photography scheme, the photography scheme comprising a set of photography control points, each of the photography control points comprising: a location of the platform relative to the subject; an orientation of the platform relative to the subject; and one or more photography parameters; determining a location and an orientation of the platform carrying the imaging system; navigating the platform to each of the photography control points and operating the imaging system to capture an image of the subject at each of the photography control points according to the associated photography parameters. A method of administering photodynamic therapy to a subject is also disclosed.