Apparatus and method for imaging feet

摘要

An apparatus and method for determining contours of a patient's foot. The apparatus includes an alignment section that orientates the foot relative to an optical imaging section. The alignment section includes at least one support member located proximate a focal length of the imaging section, that engages the plantar surface substantially only in the immediate area of the fifth metatarsal head of the foot. The support generates a dorsally-directed load that locks the midtarsal joint. The alignment section further includes a heel stirrup and a laser beam or other reference line for aligning the second metatarsal head with the distal one-third of the lower leg, to place the subtalar joint in a neutral condition. The foot is thus suspended in space such that the imaging section is able to obtain an accurate measurement of the plantar surface without distortion of the soft tissues or bone structure of the foot.

主权项

1. An apparatus for determining contours of a plantar surface of a patient's foot, said apparatus comprising:
an imaging section that optically measures contours of said plantar surface of said foot; and an alignment section that orientates said foot relative to said imaging section, said alignment section comprising:
at least one support member that engages said plantar surface of said foot substantially only beneath a lateral forefoot area of said foot with said plantar surface of said foot directed towards said imaging section,said at least one support member being adjustable relative to said foot to a position in which said lateral forefoot area of said foot is reactively loaded in a dorsal direction by said support member so as to lock a metatarsal joint of said foot.