Developing Quality Assistive Technology and Better Supports for Breasts with the Help of Low-Cost Sensors

Resources that help people with some disability to perform their daily tasks are named as assistive technology. The devices under this denomination are listed in an ISO standard (ISO 9999:2016), and this organization is due, in part, to the efforts of the industry and governments to know exactly what can be called so. Breast forms (external breast prostheses) are included in that normative. There is also a part in that standard dedicated to undergarments, where bras can be found. Even healthy women with no disability at all may benefit of better built bras, as some of them are more carefully developed that the regular off-the-shelf offered by fashion brands or commercial shops. In order to improve the quality of such aids or supports, this manuscript registers the process of verifying the possibility of using low-cost sensors to acquire 3D images of the breasts. The technology itself is studied by doctors, interested in evaluate the volume and the shape of that region in order to perform more precise breast reconstruction surgeries (after a mastectomy), or to check the results of the work already done. The Golden standard that they use are 3D scanners that cost thousands of dollars, not affordable by all countries or hospitals. This is the reason why this study tested the reliability of three low-cost equipment: to check the feasibility of using them broadly to manufacture better external breast prostheses and bras, respecting the human anatomy as any product that claims to be ergonomic should do. Using the plaster replica of a patient’s breast as reference, researchers gauged the 3D images and checked their index error. A geometric solid was also put in the scene with the same goal. Asus Xtion Pro™, connected to a notebook using Skanect™ software, Structure Sensor™, in the same condition, and the same Structure Sensor™, then connected to an iPad™ 2 were the gadgets used to evaluate the possibility of using low-cost systems (less than US$ 2000,00) to acquire 3D images of the breast region. The most important advantage to science, besides the quality of assistive technology to be offered, is the popularization of technology and the portability of said low-cost equipment. The main downgrade of all three equipment – when compared to high end ones – is the lower quality of the tridimensional mesh they generate, but still reliable, although needing some post processing manipulation.