Sensor Covering Body for Fast Amputation Stump Contour Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing the contour of a limb for prosthetic sockets are time-consuming, uncomfortable for patients, and lack manual adjustability of pressure distribution, with equipment-intensive scanning processes.
Innovation Solution
A covering body equipped with sensors that determine distance and relative positions using measurement radiation, allowing for rapid contour capture without additional equipment, and enabling manual shape manipulation during data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plaster cast method is used to capture limb contour, then manual pressure adjustment is possible, but the process is time-consuming and uncomfortable for patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical plaster cast system with an electronic sensor-based measurement system. Sensors integrated into the covering body electronically capture limb contour data, eliminating the need for manual plaster application and waiting for hardening. This substitution maintains the ability to apply pressure while dramatically reducing process time.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering body with integrated sensors performs self-measurement of the limb contour. The sensors automatically capture distance and position data as the covering body is applied to the limb, eliminating the need for separate casting procedures and reducing patient discomfort associated with traditional plaster methods.
2Stability of the object's composition
If water tank scanning method is used to capture limb contour, then uniform pre-compression is achieved, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water tank and external scanning equipment from the measurement system. Instead of requiring a water tank environment for uniform compression and external optical scanning, the covering body itself provides the compression and contains the measurement sensors, eliminating complex external equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides uniform pre-compression to the limb, houses the sensors for contour measurement, and eliminates the need for separate water tank and scanning equipment. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If multiple position sensors and orientation sensors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and acquisition time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines position and orientation sensing capabilities into a unified sensor system integrated into the covering body. The sensors measure both distance from reference points and orientation relative to the limb surface, merging multiple measurement functions into a single integrated system that reduces complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring only distance to measuring both distance and orientation in three-dimensional space. By adding orientation measurement capability to the sensor system, the patent achieves more precise contour capture without requiring separate sensor arrays, as orientation data provides additional spatial context.
4Loss of information
If sequential measurement with multiple sensors is used, then comprehensive contour data is obtained, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous measurement across all sensor points in the covering body. Instead of sequentially activating sensors one by one, all sensors operate concurrently to capture contour data, maintaining comprehensive data collection while dramatically reducing acquisition time through parallel measurement.
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
The method significantly reduces the time and equipment required for contour capture, providing precise and comfortable prosthetic socket fitting by accurately determining limb contours.
Implementation Method 1
the distance between the transmitter and the receiver can be determined by measuring the time of flight
Implementation Method 2
a reflector for the measurement radiation is located at the second point
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for at least partially detecting the contour of a limb, wherein the method comprises the following steps: applying a covering body (1) to the limb, wherein the covering body (1) comprises a base body (2) and at least one sensor (6) which is configured to detect measurement data from which a distance and/or a relative position between two points in or on the base body (2) can be determined; detecting measurement data by means of the at least one sensor (6); determining distances and/or relative positions between two points in or on the base body (2) in an electronic data processing device (12), wherein a manipulation of the shape of the limb takes place during at least one sub-process of detecting the measurement data.