Handheld Structured-Light Wound Measurement Without Skin Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wound measurement technologies are labor-intensive, inaccurate, costly, and risk contamination, especially when non-planar or require contact with the skin, lacking a reliable visual record for comparison.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device using structured light techniques with three or more laser fan beams that cross at a crossing point in front of a camera, allowing intuitive positioning and framing without a display, capturing data with a single user instruction, and transmitting it via a communications port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement techniques are used, then skilled personnel can examine and measure wounds, but the process is labor-intensive and requires significant time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement techniques with an automated optical measurement system. A camera captures images of the wound, and a processor automatically calculates wound area and other parameters from these images, eliminating the need for manual measurement while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system performs self-measurement by automatically capturing wound images and calculating parameters without requiring skilled personnel to physically measure the wound. The system serves itself by processing its own captured data to generate measurement results.
2Extent of automation
If reference objects are placed next to wounds for automated measurement, then area calculation becomes possible, but this requires additional cumbersome steps and risks contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reference object from the measurement process entirely. Instead of placing physical reference objects next to wounds, the system uses the camera's field of view and image processing algorithms to establish scale and calculate area, eliminating the cumbersome step of positioning reference objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing algorithms as an intermediary between the camera and the measurement result. These algorithms automatically determine wound area from captured images without requiring physical reference objects, simplifying the operational process while maintaining automated measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If reference objects or guide devices are used to position the camera, then consistent distance from the skin surface is achieved, but this requires contact with the skin risking contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning guides that require skin contact with an optical positioning system. The camera and light source are positioned at fixed geometric relationships, and the system calculates measurements based on optical principles without requiring physical contact with the wound or surrounding skin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical fields and image processing as intermediaries to achieve consistent positioning. Instead of mechanical guides touching the skin, the system uses the camera's optical axis and field of view to establish consistent measurement geometry, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining precision.
4Extent of automation
If traditional wound measurement systems are implemented, then automated monitoring is achieved, but the cost is high limiting system uptake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components such as standard digital cameras and basic light sources instead of expensive specialized medical imaging equipment. The system uses off-the-shelf components that can be easily manufactured and deployed, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining automated monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a camera to create optical copies (images) of the wound, which are then processed to extract measurement data. This approach replaces expensive specialized medical imaging devices with ordinary cameras, achieving automated monitoring at a fraction of the cost through optical copying and digital processing.
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
Provides accurate, cost-effective, and contamination-free wound measurement with intuitive operation, enabling historical comparison and remote data transmission for improved wound monitoring and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relies on structured light techniques and in some embodiments uses a structured light arrangement configured to project three or more laser fan beams such that the laser fan beams cross at a crossing point in front of the camera
Implementation Method 2
a structured light arrangement configured to project three or more laser fan beams
Implementation Method 3
the resulting image data could be used to measure wound properties such as area or depth
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld skin monitoring or measuring device includes a camera having a camera optical axis; and a structured light arrangement configured to project three or more laser fan beams such that the laser fan beams cross at a crossing point in front of the camera.