System for the Obtaining of Data of use for Body Morphometric Analysis and Associated Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry and associated method determining body morphometry, in newborns or non-newborns, from 3D models in an automatic, non-invasive, rapid and low-cost manner. Furthermore, the system and the method obtain the measurement and 3D modeling of the patient, newborn or non-newborn, in a conscious state, as movement has no influence thereon.

Claims

1. System for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry, characterised in that it comprises: a coded mesh (1) configured to be fitted to a body surface (2); a set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1); at least one image sensor configured to record the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1); processing means for processing the set of images (3) configured to generate a three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) from the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) and configured to be recorded by the at least one image sensor; and display means (6) for displaying the three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2).

2. The system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one image sensor configured to record the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) and the processing means are integrated in a smartphone.

3. The system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to claim 2, characterised in that the processing means are integrated in an application (8) of the smartphone.

4. The system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) configured to be detected by the at least one image sensor comprises a first coded target (41), a second coded target (42) and a third coded target (43) configured to be detachably arranged in the coded mesh (1).

5. The system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to claim 4, characterised in that the first coded target (41), the second coded target (42), and the third coded target (43) comprise attachment means for attaching the first coded target (41), the second coded target (42) and the third coded target (43) to the coded mesh (1).

6. The system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the coded mesh (1) is a capeline configured to be fitted to a cranial surface (2).

7. A method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry carried out with the system of any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said method comprises: a fitting step for fitting the coded mesh (1) to the body surface (2); a placement step for placing a set of coded targets (4) in the coded mesh (1); a recording step for recording the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) by means of the at least one image sensor; a processing step for processing the set of images (3) using the processing means in which a three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) is generated from the set of coded targets (4) recorded in the previous step; and a displaying step for displaying the three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) using the display means (6).

8. The method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to claim 7, characterised in that it further comprises a placement step for detachably placing the first coded target (41), the second coded target (42) and the third coded target (43) in the coded mesh (1) between the fitting step for fitting the coded mesh (1) to the body surface (2) and the recording step for recording the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) by means of the at least one image sensor, in order to define a coordinate system.

9. The method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to any of claim 7 or 8, characterised in that it further comprises a check step for checking the recording step for recording the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) wherein the number of coded targets (4) arranged in the coded mesh (1) that have been recorded from among the set of targets (4) is checked, in order to determine if the number of coded targets (4) recorded is sufficient for validating the recording step based on parameters such as the calibration and/or external orientation of the images.

10. The method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the processing step for processing the set of images (3) using the processing means in which a three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) is generated from the set of coded targets (4) recorded comprises a generating sub-step for generating a point cloud (7) corresponding to the set of coded targets (4) detected.

11. The method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that the fitting step for fitting the coded mesh (1) to the body surface (2) requires the inclusion of additional coded targets to the coded mesh (1)).

12. The method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry according to claim 10, characterised in that the processing step for processing the set of images (3) comprises an assistance sub-step for providing assistance to the user while collecting data, prior to generating the three-dimensional model.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIGS. 1c, 1b and 1c show respective perspective views of the capeline configured to be fitted to the body surface to be measured in an automatic manner by the system and method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry, in 3D of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows an interface of the application of the smartphone where the processing means of the system and method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry of the present invention, applied to the case of a cranial deformation, are integrated.

[0033] FIGS. 3a and 3c show a side and top view, respectively, of the point cloud corresponding to the set of coded targets detected, derived from the generating sub-step for generating the point cloud.

[0034] FIGS. 3b and 3d show a side and top view, respectively, of the three-dimensional model of the surface of the head generated from the set of coded targets detected, corresponding to the point clouds of FIGS. 3a and 3c, respectively.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows another interface of the application of the smartphone once the three-dimensional model of the surface of the head of FIG. 3d has been generated.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The system and method for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0037] The system for obtaining useful data for analysis of body morphometry comprises: [0038] a capeline or coded mesh (1) configured to be fitted to a body surface (2); [0039] a set of coded targets (4) arranged in the capeline or coded mesh (1) [0040] at least one image sensor configured to record the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the capeline or coded mesh (1); [0041] processing means integrated in the same device of the camera which allow the images to be selected and useful information thereof to be obtained, in addition to acting as a guide for the user; and [0042] processing means for processing the set of images (3) configured to generate a three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) from the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the capeline or body mesh (1) and configured to be recorded by the at least one image sensor; and [0043] display means (6) for displaying the three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2).

[0044] The set of coded targets (4) arranged in the capeline or coded mesh (1) configured to be detected by the at least one image sensor comprises a first coded target (41), a second coded target (42) and a third coded target (43) configured to be detachably arranged in the capeline or coded mesh (1), wherein the first coded target (41), the second coded target (42) and the third coded target (43) preferably comprise attachment means for attaching the first coded target (41), the second coded target (42) and the third coded target (43) to the capeline or coded mesh (1), wherein these attachment means are preferably an adhesive.

[0045] The capeline or coded mesh (1) with the set of coded targets (4) arranged in said mesh (1) allows three-dimensional models (5) of body surfaces, for example, heads of newborns (2), to be obtained, which allows the morphometry of the measured area to be determined. The advantage of this system is that it allows three-dimensional models (5) to be obtained in an automatic, non-invasive, rapid and low-cost manner. Furthermore, the tool works with a conscious patient (newborn or non-newborn), as movement has no influence thereon. Therefore, the use of anaesthesia is not necessary.

[0046] The system could be used by medical staff without knowledge in photogrammetry.

[0047] To that end, the system comprises an application (8) which guides the medical staff while collecting data.

[0048] In relation to the method for obtaining useful data to determine body morphometry carried out with the system described above and applied to the case of the head, said method comprises: [0049] a fitting step for fitting the capeline or coded mesh (1) to the body surface (2); [0050] a placement step for placing a set of coded targets (4) in the capeline or coded mesh (1); [0051] a recording step for recording the set of coded targets (4) arranged in the capeline or coded mesh (1) by means of at least one image sensor; [0052] a processing step for processing the set of images (3) using the processing means in which a three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) is generated from the set of coded targets (4) recorded in the previous step; and [0053] a displaying step for displaying the three-dimensional model (5) of the body surface (2) using the display means (6).

[0054] The processing step for processing the set of images (3) using the processing means in which a three-dimensional model (5) of the cranial surface (1) is generated from the set of coded targets (4) detected comprises a generating sub-step for generating a point cloud (7) corresponding to the set of coded targets (4) detected.

[0055] The processing step for processing the set of images (3) using the processing means is carried out by means of a processing algorithm integrated in the imaging device (a mobile telephone application, for example) which evaluates the quality of the images and selects them in real time.

EXAMPLE

[0056] In detail, first, the medical staff must place the capeline.

[0057] It is important to respect the placement position in an at least approximate manner. Then, the user clinician will detachably place the first coded target (41), the second coded target (42) and the third coded target (43) in the points identified as right preauricular, left preauricular (opposite the tragus in both cases) and glabella, respectively. This will allow a common coordinate system to be defined for all the models generated. Once the previous steps have been performed, the camera of the device is started, and the interface will be similar to that of recording a video. In each frame those coded targets that are being detected will be displayed, as shown in FIG. 2, which in this example are highlighted with respect to the rest. Furthermore, the upper part shows the percentage of coded targets detected, and the lower part shows the areas correctly that are recorded from those that are not. A non-expert user can thereby readily check if the distance to the patient, focus, etc., are appropriate. The interface furthermore shows the areas of the head which have already been suitably recorded and those which still require more images.

[0058] For each frame, the application detects the coded targets. It checks if the number of coded targets detected is sufficient to solve the calibration and external orientation of the images; it also evaluates whether or not the image provides information or, conversely, repeats information that has already been recorded. If the frame is selected, the coded targets detected and their coordinates are recorded in a record. Images are not saved, so the required storage is very low. Furthermore, the data can be completely anonymised, enhancing the security and privacy of highly sensitive data. Basic parameters of the camera, which will allow the calibration thereof, are also stored in the same record.

[0059] Once the entire head has been recorded with a minimum number of images, the 3D model can be obtained from the coordinate file generated. The coordinates of the coded targets are processed as homologous points. An algorithm which codes the numbering of the 3D point cloud following the numbering of the coded targets has been created.

[0060] The software for creating the application is based on tools Tapas and AperiCloud, belonging to MicMac software. Then, the point cloud is scaled using the known size of the coded targets, and the mesh is created by means of Poisson Reconstruction and MeshLab. Lastly, the scaling of the model is performed using the known size of the coded targets.

[0061] The mesh created will be used to obtain the deformation parameters and can be compared with data stored in previous captures. The model and data obtained may also be displayed in a web viewer.

[0062] The present system and method are based on a photogrammetric solution which has been validated by means of comparison with measurements taken with callipers and measuring tape (Barbero-García et al., 2017), models obtained by means of reflex cameras (Lerma et al., 2018) and radiological tests (Barbero-García et al., 2019).