Researchers at Hokkaido University in Japan have discovered that 3D scanning has the potential to transform care for lymphedema patients.
Lymphedema’s main symptom is swelling caused by issues with the body’s lymphatic system which trigger the build up of internal fluids that require draining. Traditionally, swelling is measured using calipers or silk thread, but this is often inaccurate and highly variable.
In a recent paper, the Hokkaido researchers reported that non-contact 3D scanners offer a more reliable alternative, making them better tools for analyzing all sorts of patient symptoms.
Hokkaido University’s breakthrough research
It’s an unfortunate truth that lymphedema is a long-term, often debilitating illness that we don’t currently have a cure for. For the moment, all we can do is make life easier for patients.
To make this possible, the researchers say “it’s imperative to delve into the underlying mechanisms” of lymphedema, and gain an understanding of how symptoms develop. In their case, the team achieved this by inducing the disease in lab mice, and measuring limbs as they became swollen – both with traditional methods and a handheld 3D scanner.
As they used a low-end device, they found that it missed some intricate details and a couple of areas needed to be rescanned. But there was still more than enough data to identify limb length, area, and volume over time, which in human patients is absolutely critical.
While scanning took a few seconds longer than caliper and tape measuring, it was also found to be less influenced by operator bias, and pick up subtle grooves better around joints. Overall, the researchers say 3D scanning’s high repeatability and non-invasiveness are huge selling points, even compared to other medical technologies like ultrasound and radiology methods.
“The limitations of 3D scanning technology include the cost of the scanner and the requirement for additional data processing time,” concluded the team. “However, these challenges are being progressively addressed through technical advancements, such as integrated ‘in-device’ processing, improved affordability, and the seamless integration of software with medical record systems. As these developments continue, this technology is likely to see broader applications in the near future.”
How far can 3D scanning go in medical?
It may seem a little far-fetched, the idea of having professional 3D scanners in doctors’ surgeries, but the technology is already finding applications across the healthcare space.
As demonstrated by the research team in Hokkaido, 3D scanning is increasingly gaining traction as a patient measurement tool. Tracking symptoms as they progress is vital to ensuring patients get the best possible treatment in a timely manner.
Then there’s customization – in prosthetics and orthotics, getting accurate measurements is imperative, otherwise devices won’t fit comfortably or have the desired effect. Here, 3D scanners like Artec Leo offer a faster, non-contact alternative to plaster casting, while allowing for designs to be tailor-made, so patients want to wear what they’ve been prescribed.
For example, the device is now being used to create 3D printed prosthetics in Rwanda, as part of an initiative by Handicap International. Whether for diagnostics, treatment, or customization, it’s clear that the technology has a huge role to play in the future of healthcare.
You can find the researchers’ full paper here.
