SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE NEEDS OF A PERSON AND MANUFACTURING A CUSTOM ORTHOTIC DEVICE

• US 20080292179A1
• Filed: 04/11/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hanger Orthopedic Group
• Original Assignee: Hanger Orthopedic Group
• Inventors: BUSCH, Kaia
• Application Number:
  US12/101,277
• Publication Number:
  US 20080292179A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/154
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 17/00 Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 1/025 comprising optical means, e.g. mirrors, photo-electric cells, for measuring or inspecting feet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1038 Measuring plantar pressure during gait
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1077 Measuring of profiles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/01 Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2518 Projection by scanning of the object

Abstract

A system for providing a custom orthotic can include a scanner, and imager for providing a digital three-dimensional image based on the scan, a gait and pressure measuring device and a data inputting system for inputting information regarding the customer. An analysis device can be provided to make modifications to the three-dimensional image based on the customer information, and the modified three-dimensional image can be forwarded electronically to a manufacturer for production.

Claims

1. A system for providing a custom orthotic, the system comprising:

a laser scanner constructed and arranged to conduct a laser scan of a body part of a person;

an imager for receiving the laser scan of the body part of the person, the imager generating a digital three-dimensional image of the scanned body part;

a gait and pressure capturing device constructed and arranged to electronically obtain the gait and pressure information of the body part;

a data input device for receiving data regarding the person, including customization requests;

an analysis device for electronically receiving the three-dimensional image and the gait and pressure information of the body part;

the analysis device analyzing three parameters of the body part, the three parameters comprising gait, pressure and balance, and evaluating the three-dimensional image based on the three parameters; and

a customization device for digitally modifying the three-dimensional image based on the data regarding the person and the result of the evaluation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gait and pressure capturing device comprises a plurality of sensors.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gait and pressure capturing device comprises a sensing platform on which the body part can be placed.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the gait and pressure capturing device comprises a plurality of thin film tactile pressures and force sensors therein.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the gait and pressure capturing device comprises a sensing insert constructed and arranged to be inserted into the person'"'"'s shoe.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a model generator for producing a model of the body part.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a model generator for producing a model of the body part and an orthotic producer for producing an orthotic over the model.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a video device for capturing video data regarding the person; and

a synchronizing device for synchronizing the video data to the gait and pressure data.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a printing device for providing a hard copy of the gathered data.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote station wherein the laser scanner, the gait and pressure capturing device and the data input device are provided within a unitary station.

5. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensors are constructed and arranged to monitor pressure and force of the body part placed thereon.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensors are constructed and arranged to derive quantitative data relative to gait, pressure, and balance of the person.

13. A system for providing a custom orthotic, the system comprising:

a scanner constructed and arranged to conduct a scan of a body part of a person;

an imager for receiving the scan of the body part of the person, the imager generating an electronic three-dimensional image of the scanned body part;

an information capturing device constructed and arranged to electronically obtain information on the person;

an analysis device for evaluating the three-dimensional image based on the information;

a model generator for producing a model of the body part based on the three-dimensional image; and

an orthotic producer for producing an orthotic over the model.

14. An three-dimensional imaging system for a custom orthotic, the system comprising:

a laser scanner constructed and arranged to conduct a laser scan of a body part of a person;

an imager connected to the laser scanner, the imager receiving the laser scan from the laser scanner and generating a digital three-dimensional image;

a screen for receiving the three-dimensional image from the imager, the screen further constructed and arranged to display the three-dimensional image;

an input device for inputting data regarding the person; and

a gait and pressure capturing device constructed and arranged to obtain gait and pressure information of the body part.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting the three-dimensional image, the data regarding the person and the gait and pressure information to a remote system.

16. A method of providing a custom made orthotic, the method comprising:

scanning a body part of a person and obtaining a digital scan;

inputting person information into a data input device;

measuring gait and pressure information regarding the body part;

transmitting the digital scan, person information and gait and pressure information to an analyzing device;

generating a digital three-dimensional image of the body part based on the digital scan;

analyzing the three-dimensional image based on the gait and pressure information and the person information at the analyzing device;

creating an orthotic on the model.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein scanning the body part includes generating a three-dimensional scan of the body part.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising

obtaining balance information of the body part;

obtaining a two-dimensional image of the body part;

recording a real time video of the body part;

analyzing the gait, pressure and balance information utilizing the two-dimensional image, the three-dimensional image, and the real time video.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the digital scan includes transmitting the digital scan via email.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the digital scan includes uploading the digital scan into a network system.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising modifying the three-dimensional image based.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving special instructions from the person.

23. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving a choice of material for the custom orthotic from the person.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein measuring gait and pressure information regarding the body part includes providing a platform on which the person may stand, and providing a plurality of sensors in the platform.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein providing the plurality of sensors includes providing thin film tactile pressure and force sensors in the platform.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein measuring gait and pressure information regarding the body part includes placing an insert into the person'"'"'s shoe, and providing a plurality of sensors in the insert.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising measuring the person'"'"'s balance information, wherein measuring gait, pressure and balance information includes placing providing a plurality of sensors in an insert and placing the insert into a shoe of the person, and measuring the gait, pressure and balance information of the person while the person is in motion.

28. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing a plurality of profiles and comparing the digital scan, three-dimensional image, person information inputted into the data input device, or the gait and pressure information regarding the body part to the profiles.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the body part is a foot, the method further comprising determining whether the foot is normal, flat or high arch with respect to the profile.

30. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining and recording regions of highest pressure of the body part.

31. The method of claim 16, wherein the body part comprises a foot;

the method further comprising determining and recording percentage of weight distribution of the foot while the person is standing or walking.

32. The method of claim 16, wherein the body part comprises a foot;

the method further comprising determining and recording a difference in weight distribution between the forefoot and the rearfoot.

33. The method of claim 16, wherein the body part comprises a foot;

the method further comprising determining and recording a difference in weight distribution between the left side and the right side of the foot.

34. The method of claim 16, wherein the body part comprises left and right feet;

the method further comprising determining and recording a difference in weight distribution between the left and right feet.

35. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing devices for scanning and measuring gait and pressure of the body part and calibrating the devices.

36. The method of claim 16, further comprising conducting pre-treatment and post-treatment comparisons of the body part in motion for a person undergoing treatment.

37. The method of claim 16, wherein obtaining the three-dimensional image includes using a two-dimensional image grayscale conversion.

38. The method of claim 16, wherein obtaining the three-dimensional image includes using a computer to convert a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional image.

39. The method of claim 16, wherein obtaining the three-dimensional image includes using a computer aided design or computer aided manufacturing technology.

40. The method of claim 16, further comprising generating a model of the body part based on the analysis.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein generating a model includes fabricating a model from a material including foam, wood and composite blanks.

42. The method of claim 16, wherein creating an orthotic includes carving the orthotic.

43. The method of claim 16, further comprising scanning the body part at a first location and creating the orthotic at a second location separate from the first location.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising providing the orthotic at the first location for the person and evaluating proper fit of the orthotic on the person.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising modifying the digital scan to produce a new orthotic.

46. A method of providing a custom made orthotic, the method comprising:

scanning a body part of a person;

obtaining a digital three-dimensional image of the body part;

measuring gait and pressure information regarding the body part;

analyzing the three-dimensional image based on the gait and pressure information; and

producing a custom orthotic based on the three-dimensional image and the gait and pressure information.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein producing the custom orthotic is performed at a location separate from scanning the body part.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising transmitting the three-dimensional image and the gait and pressure information to the location for producing the custom orthotic.