Geometrical Model for Characterization of Foot Deformity using 3D imaging

The present work focuses on the first stage of the development of a mathematical mode for objective assessment of foot arch geometrical characteristics using 3D scanning approach. The model is a first step in the development of multi-parametric assessment that aims to bridge the existing mismatch between professional visual based assessment and objective measurement and objective indices. One of the perceived reasons for this is that the objective indices are applied to plane projections, i.e. 3D characteristics are inferred from partial 2D information. Hence a modified index using 3D scan data was developed and assessed. Based on this single index and statistical analysis, population result matched closely reported values by professional assessors. The overlap, i.e. type 1 and type 2 errors, were reduced but still require further refinement. The next step in the artificial intelligence type multi-criteria decision making is to utilize the Gaussian curve at a global shape level using ellipsoids for shape characterization. The work on this is still in progress as key characteristics for image reconstruction need to be finalized as well as the degree of complexity of the shape approximation.