Methods of generating compression garment measurement information for a patient body part or body area of interest and use thereof
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to methods of generating a shape description from digital image acquisition for a patient body part or body area of interest and use of such shape description. Such shape description includes geometric information from which measurement information can optionally be derived. Included herein are methods for diagnosing and monitoring edema and other conditions in patients using shape descriptions acquired from a patient in need of such diagnosis and monitoring. The invention also includes use of the generated shape descriptions to make compression garments specifically configured for a patient's body part or body area. Compression garments generated from the shape descriptions are also included herein.
1. A method for making a compression garment comprising:
a) selecting a body part or body area of interest in a patient in need of compression therapy, the selected body part or body area having a surface morphology of that patient;
b) acquiring digital images of the selected body part or body area;
c) processing the digital images by a computing device, wherein:
i) the processing of the digital images comprises generating shape description information for the selected body part or body area;
ii) the generated shape description information comprises geometric information for the selected body part or body area, the geometric information being associated with the surface morphology of the selected body part or body area of the patient; and
iii) measurement information for the selected body part or body area can optionally be derived from the shape description information;
d) providing at least one compression level identified as therapeutically appropriate to provide the compression therapy to the patient when the at least one compression level is incorporated into a compression garment fabricated from the shape description information or the optional measurement information; and
e) fabricating the compression garment from the shape description information or the optional measurement information, wherein the fabricated compression garment incorporates the provided at least one compression level.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected body part or body area is at least part of one arm or at least part of one leg.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital images are not acquired by rotation of an imaging device on a path about a fixed axis around the patient or by rotation of the patient on a platform.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digital images are acquired by an operator moving an imaging device around the selected body part or body area of the patient.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the imaging device is free to move around the selected body part or body area with six degrees of freedom, unconstrained by a mounting or support assembly.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the operator observes a digital image acquisition report in substantially real time during the digital image acquisition step, wherein the digital image acquisition report includes information received about a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the selected body part or body area, and wherein the operator can adjust the digital image acquisition in response to the received information about the 3D reconstruction.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the digital image acquisition report is presented to the operator on a screen that is in operational engagement with the imaging device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compression garment comprises geometric features associated with the selected body part or body area that reduce pinching or chaffing of the patient.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compression garment is in a form of an arm sleeve, wherein the provided at least one compression level is from 20 to 50 mm Hg, wherein the provided at least one compression level is incorporated in an area distal from a top end of the arm sleeve, and wherein the top end is proximal to either an elbow area or a shoulder area on the patient.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the compression garment comprises geometric features associated with the selected body part or body area that reduce pinching or chaffing of the patient.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the compression garment comprises geometric features associated with a bony area of the selected body part or body area identified by the shape description information.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compression garment is in a form of a leg covering, wherein the provided at least one compression level is from 20 to 50 mm Hg, wherein the provided at least one compression level is incorporated in an area distal to a top end of the leg covering, and wherein the top end is proximal to either a knee area or a thigh area on the patient.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the compression garment comprises geometric features associated with a bony area of the selected body part or body area identified by the shape description information.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the selected body part or body area substantially does not comprise a circular cross-sectional area.