Smartphone-Based Abdominal Cross-Section Image Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying cross-sectional abdominal images often deviate significantly from the actual abdominal cross-section, necessitating an improvement in image generation and visualization.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and system utilizing a smartphone to measure and correct the outline of the abdomen, estimating visceral and subcutaneous fat areas, and displaying a corrected cross-sectional abdominal image based on these measurements, incorporating sensors for direction and motion information and employing Fourier analysis for characteristic coefficient extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CT methods are used to measure fat area in abdominal cross-section, then measurement accuracy is achieved, but device complexity and operational requirements (recumbent position) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the abdominal cross-section by measuring the abdominal outline externally and generating a two-dimensional cross-sectional image that replicates the actual anatomy. This copy enables fat area measurement without requiring complex CT imaging equipment or specialized recumbent positioning, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical CT imaging system with a software-based image generation system that uses smartphone sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope) to capture abdominal outline data. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy imaging equipment while maintaining measurement capability, addressing the device complexity issue
2Measurement precision
If conventional CT imaging is performed, then accurate cross-sectional images are obtained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to recumbent position requirement
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to lie down (recumbent position) for accurate imaging as in conventional CT, the patent inverts the approach by having the user stand upright and measuring the abdominal outline externally. This inversion of positioning requirements maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables users to perform self-measurement of their abdominal outline using a smartphone without requiring professional operators or specialized positioning equipment. The system processes the measured data automatically to generate cross-sectional images, making the operation simple and accessible
3Ease of operation
If simple display methods are used for abdominal cross-section, then ease of operation is maintained, but visualization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display of various abdominal regions based on fat content. The system calculates visceral and subcutaneous fat areas separately and displays them with different visual characteristics, allowing accurate visualization of specific anatomical regions while maintaining overall simplicity of the display interface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating a cross-sectional abdominal image includes a memory for storing a cross-sectional abdominal image, a measuring unit for measuring an outline of an abdomen, and a controller configured to correct the cross-sectional abdominal image based on the outline of the abdomen measured by the measuring unit.