Spinal Alignment Estimation from 3D Surface Imaging to Reduce X-Ray Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting scoliosis, such as the moire test, lack a nationwide unified standard, leading to variations in diagnosis and unnecessary X-ray exposure, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86%.
Innovation Solution
A spinal-column arrangement estimation apparatus and method using 3D image acquisition, machine learning, and angle calculation to estimate spinal-column elements from a human body surface, reducing the need for X-ray inspections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the moire test is used to determine the presence or absence of side curvature, then the sensitivity is 100%, but the specificity is only 86% leading to false positives and unnecessary X-ray exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediate assessment step between the moire test and X-ray photography. The spinal column arrangement estimation apparatus acts as a mediator that processes moire images to predict spinal arrangement, providing an additional filtering layer that reduces false positives before X-ray exposure, thereby maintaining high sensitivity while improving specificity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a virtual copy or model of the spinal column arrangement from the moire image data. By estimating the spinal column arrangement and calculating Cobb angles from the 2D moire image without physical X-ray exposure, the system produces a predictive model that replicates the diagnostic information needed to reduce unnecessary X-ray usage
2Adaptability or versatility
If each local government independently implements the moire test without a unified standard, then local flexibility is maintained, but determination variation arises across different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides a universal determination standard that can be applied across all local governments. The spinal column arrangement estimation apparatus and Cobb angle calculation methods serve multiple functions: they maintain local implementation flexibility while providing a standardized, objective criterion for determining side curvature presence or absence, thereby eliminating regional determination variations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the determination parameter from subjective moire image evaluation to objective Cobb angle measurement. By calculating specific angular parameters from the estimated spinal column arrangement, the system transforms the assessment into a quantifiable, standardized metric that can be consistently applied across different regions while maintaining local implementation autonomy
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a spinal-column arrangement estimation-apparatus capable of estimating at least one of a Cobb angle and a rotation angle of spinal-column arrangement present inside a human body from an image representing a three-dimensional shape of a human body surface, facilitating diagnosis of scoliosis by a doctor, confirmation of a spinal-column by a determiner, etc., and reducing medical exposure by unnecessary X-ray inspection. An image acquisition unit (11) configured to acquire an image representing a three-dimensional shape of a surface of a human body, a spinal-column arrangement estimation-unit (12) configured to estimate spinal-column arrangement of the human body using accumulated data, and an angle calculation unit (13) configured to calculate at least one of a Cobb angle and a rotation angle from the estimated spinal-column arrangement are included.