Automated Weight Bearing 3D Ultrasound Foot Scanner

The team created the Automated Weight-Bearing 3D Ultrasound Foot Scanner. It is a novel diagnostic tool designed to be used in a clinical setting to measure the stiffness of arch-supporting structures in a weight-bearing position. This system integrates SWE and brightness mode imaging to provide a precise, real-time assessment of plantar ligament stiffness. Using this system, a clinician can accurately detect early signs of arch collapse.

The team’s engineering efforts focused on refining the mechanical structures of the device for improved patient adjustability, developing advanced data acquisition and processing software, and enhancing the graphical user interface for real-time visualization. The final design features an automated ultrasound probe positioning system, pressure sensors for load distribution feedback, and a compact, user-friendly platform that can accommodate various foot sizes and patient weights. The team’s testing confirmed that the system has a ±5% accuracy in stiffness measurements. This is sufficient accuracy to improve preventative care in podiatry and orthopedic clinics. This scanner also standardizes foot stiffness assessments, which gives clinicians an efficient, reliable and noninvasive diagnostic tool for enhancing
patient outcomes.