Orametrix, Inc.

Dentsply Sirona Inc.

Fsi International, Inc.

Andrew Cordell

Rohit Sachdeva

Friedrich Riemeier

Werner Butscher

Frank Witte

Christoph Radinger

Keith W Redding

An apparatus and method for bending or shaping orthodontic archwires or other medical devices into a complex, patient individual shape is described. The apparatus comprises of two moveable, compact, manipulators with, in total, at least three revolute joints defining three rotation axes and at least three prismatic joints defining at least three translation axes. Gripping tools are provided on the manipulators. The two manipulators are arranged to allow a relative movement in six degrees of freedom. A reduced complexity embodiment is also described having only one or two revolute joints.

Apparatus and method for customized shaping of orthodontic archwires and other medical devices

Method for calibration of manipulator utilized in apparatus and method for customized shaping of orthodontic archwires and other medical devices

Methods and apparatuses for calibrating and teaching a robot to accurately work within a work environment. The present invention preferably provides one or more tactile sensor devices that may be operatively coupled with a robot or positioned at one or more desired locations within a work environment of the robot. In one aspect of the present invention a method comprises the steps of providing a touch sensitive surface in the work environment, causing the touch sensitive surface to contact an object, generating a signal indicative of the position of the contact with respect to the touch sensitive surface, and using information comprising the generated signal to teach the robot the location of the contact in the work environment.

Robot with tactile sensor device

Growing community of inventors

McKinney, TX, United States of America

Andrew Cordell