Abstract:
Dynamic-optical surface measurement
of the plantar foot
Aim of the thesis
The overall aims of the thesis were the development of a 3D-footscanner using a dy-namic-optical surface measurement technique and to quantify the changes in foot shape during walking.
Introduction
Even though there are several kinds of foot scanners providing high accuracy, the analysis of the human foot shape while walking has not yet been realised. Up to now, most investigations have been performed in static, semi-weight-bearing conditions. However, considerable differences between static and dynamic conditions as well as in loaded and unloaded foot structure can be expected due to changing ground reac-tion forces and biomechanical functions of the foot during stancephase of walking. Therefore, the aim of this project was to develop a 3D-scanner-system, combining high resolution with short recording time, to capture the dynamic foot shape during the roll over process (ROP) of walking. This measurement device was used to gain first results on the dynamic changes of the foot dimensions during walking.
Method
Deriving from an elaborated analysis of potentially suitable measurement techniques for dynamic three-dimensional measurements of the human foot, a system based on LED surface projection was realized. Three synchronized scanner units, each con-sisting of one CCD-camera and one projector (Vialux GmbH), were used to capture the plantar foot shape during the ROP. The measurement system uses the structured light method, where a series of fringes is used to provide 3D-shape information. The measurement devices were placed below a safety glass platform (60 x 40 cm) which was integrated into a walkway of 460 cm length and 80 cm height. With this setup, the foot could be captured at a frame rate of 41 fps under natural walking conditions.
The main quality criteria of the new dynamic foot scanner (validity, objectivity, reliabil-ity) were examined by using a sample size of 109 subjects. A clinical study including 129 volunteers was carried out to analyze the foot deformations during walking. All subjects walked barefoot at a predefined speed of 4.5 km/h ± 5%, which was con-trolled using photo cells. After an adequate adaptation phase, they performed three dynamic and two static trials. The static measurements were taken in a semi-weight-bearing situation with the bodyweight evenly distributed on both feet.
Using intersection planes, the data were evaluated manually (Geomagic Qualify 8). The analysis considered differences during the dynamic situation, differences be-tween dynamic and static conditions as well as influencing factors such as age, body weight and gender. Finally, a stepwise regression analysis was used to explain the dynamic behavior of the human foot.
Results
The analysis of the main quality criteria’s points out two factors which primarily affect the reliability of the dynamic foot scanner, the object velocity, and the measurement value itself, whereas the spatial resolution of the system is sufficient. Arch measure-ment values have lowest and width measures the highest reliability. Neither do all group values show a systematic error nor a heteroscedasticity in the point clouds.
The findings of the clinical study indicate that the differences between static and dy-namic foot measurement values are lower than hypothetically assumed, whereas measurement within different dynamic stance phases show significant changes in foot length, width and height. Results show high individual variations, which cannot be fully explained by considering influencing factors or by calculating the stepwise regression model.
Discussion
The measurement device implemented in this thesis provides highly reliable data for group differences for all investigated dynamic foot measurements. However, a valid evaluation of foot form deformities for single subjects cannot be guaranteed for all stance phases during ROP of walking.
Overall, the changes of foot dimensions due to different loading situations during the ground contact of walking are lower than expected. Nevertheless, the results of the clinical study of the dynamic optical surface measurement device reveal that the dy-namic foot scanner can provide additional information for last, insole, and shoe con-struction.