Foot imaging device

• US 20070211355A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Insight Healthcare Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Arcadia Group Limited (Taveta Limited)
• Inventors: Dalbo, Ansley, Quest, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/374,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20070211355A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/50 having additional measuring devices, e.g. for height
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/3728 with wireless means

Abstract

Several ways are provided for a person to obtain an image of the soles of their feet while sitting near a foot imaging device, standing near the device, or standing on the device. In one embodiment, a device on the floor has a reflective surface having an adjustable angle relative to the floor. In another embodiment, a mirror is placed beneath the surface of a foot imaging device that incorporates a weight scale. Additionally, the surface of the device can incorporate a way for the user to detect loss of sensation in the soles of the feet, such as a sandpaper surface, a dull probe or a thermal stimulator. In a further embodiment, the device incorporates an image capture device that can send an image of the feet to a local display, to a local computer such as a personal computer having storage, display and print capability, or to a remote device such as a medical or insurance provider'"'"'s computer, where it can be viewed for diagnostic purposes or simply retained to demonstrate that a patient has carried out the imaging operation.

Claims

1. A floor based imaging device for reflecting an image of a user'"'"'s foot, comprising:

a protective enclosure having a substantially transparent top surface, and a reflecting surface positioned inside the enclosure to reflect an image through the top surface of the protective enclosure.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is at an angle relative to a floor located underneath the protective enclosure.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising angle adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the reflecting surface relative to the floor.

4. A floor based imaging device for reflecting an image of a user'"'"'s foot, comprising:

a platform located parallel to a floor for being stepped upon by the user, and

a reflecting surface located in a fixed position relative to the platform to generate a reflection directed away from the floor.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a protective surface located over the reflecting surface.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the reflecting surface is at an angle relative to the platform.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising angle adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the reflecting surface relative to the platform.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the protective surface opens to reveal the reflecting surface.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the protective surface changes its light transmission property to reveal the reflecting surface.

10. The device of claim 4, further comprising a magnifying surface located under the reflecting surface.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising guide rails supporting edges of the magnifying surface so that the magnifying surface can be pulled from underneath the reflecting surface.

12. The device of claim 4, further comprising a light source for illuminating the reflecting surface.

13. The device of claim 4, further comprising a weight display for displaying the weight of the user when the user steps on the platform.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the weight display is removable from the platform.

15. The device of claim 4, further comprising a neuropathy detector.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the neuropathy detector is a monofilament.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the neuropathy detector is a tactile surface.

18. A floor based imaging device for capturing an image of a user'"'"'s foot, comprising:

a platform located parallel to a floor for being stepped upon by the user,

an image capture surface located in a fixed position under the platform to capture an image of what is on the platform, and

an image transmission circuit for sending the captured image to another device for display or processing.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a display device for displaying the captured image.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a wireline connection between the image transmission circuit and the display device.

21. The device of claim 19, further comprising a wireless connection between the image transmission circuit and the display device.

22. The device of claim 18, further comprising a reflecting surface located in a fixed position relative to the platform to generate a reflection directed away from the floor.

23. The device of claim 22, further comprising a protective surface located over the reflecting surface.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the reflecting surface is at an angle relative to the platform.

25. The device of claim 24, further comprising angle adjustment means for adjusting the angle of the reflecting surface relative to the platform.

26. The device of claim 22, further comprising a light source for illuminating the reflecting surface.

27. The device of claim 18, further comprising a weight display for displaying the weight of the user when the user steps on the platform.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the weight display is removable from the platform.

29. The device of claim 18, further comprising a neuropathy detector.

30. The device of claim 18, wherein the image capture surface is located in a camera.

31. The device of claim 18, wherein the captured image is sent to a computer for processing.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the computer is at a different location than the floor based imaging device.