University of Utah Research Foundation

Government of the United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Commerce

Other

Charles L Thomas

Anthony J Bur

Joel D MacDonald

Francis W Wang

Alagar Krishnan Balaji

Bradley C Hansen

Bharat Thakkar

William T Couldwell

Aniruddha LaPalikar

Zetian Wang

Joseph L Rose

Sung K Lee

Steven C Roth

Jerry Deane Crane

Robert E Lowry

Thomas M Gaffney

Srinivas Kaza

Cheol H Lee

Russell Edwards

Liyong Diao

Jien-Ping Mu

Integrated surgical systems and methods for using same are provided that can receive scanned images and produce a three dimensional model from the images. Based at least in part on the three dimensional model, a processor generates code defining an optimized tool path, which is sent to a surgical machining system that can machine the desired portion of the patient. In one exemplary aspect, the integrated system operates in a clearly defined and pre-programmed manner with no necessity for in-situ sensory or guidance feedback.

Integrated surgical cutting system

Integrated surgical systems and methods for using same are provided that can receive scanned images and produce a three dimensional model from the images. Based at least in pan on the three dimensional model, a processor generates code defining an optimized tool path, which is sent to a surgical machining system that can machine the desired portion of the patient. In one exemplary aspect, the integrated system operates in a clearly defined and pre-programmed manner with no necessity for in-situ sensory or guidance feedback.

The present invention provides a method for creating a beveled needle or a blade. The method employs a side wall surface of an angled post as a base to control beveled tip geometry. The invention provides needles, microneedle arrays, blades and microblade arrays with sufficient sharpness and toughness.

3D fabrication of needle tip geometry and knife blade

An injection molding apparatus is disclosed that includes an injection mold, a mold injector, and means for monitoring the injection mold process using acoustic energy. The injection mold includes a cavity for receiving an injection mold material, such as a polymer as injected via the mold injector. The monitoring system includes an acoustic energy generator, an ultrasonic crystal, and an energy monitoring device. The acoustic energy generator produces continuous acoustic energy to be non-invasively applied to the injection mold as the polymer is delivered into the mold. The energy monitoring device monitors changes in dynamic parameters of a resulting continuous resonant frequency established by the acoustic energy generator through the ultrasonic crystal. The ultrasonic crystal serves also as a transducer to receive an output signal from the mold to be delivered to the energy monitoring device. It is this output signal that is processed to determine dynamic parameters that change based on the change of the continuous resonant frequency. This change of dynamic parameters can identify at least one characteristic of the polymer such that refined control of the injection process may be achieved by monitoring such characteristics through the continuous wave resonant frequency monitoring approach applied by the monitoring system.

Continuous wave ultrasonic process monitor for polymer processing

A fire protection system for determining the existence of hazardous conditions within a building. The system includes a central monitor node for monitoring and displaying system status information. At least one zone node is located remote from the monitor node, and defines a plurality of fire protection zones within the building. A plurality of detectors are arranged within each zone at respective predetermined address locations. Each of the detectors includes a microcontroller for detecting and storing information indicating an occurrence of a hazardous event. The detectors have a normal negative state wherein no occurrence of a hazardous event is detected, and a positive state wherein the occurrence of a hazardous event is detected. The zone node includes detector interrogation circuitry for interrogating the plurality of detectors to determine their respective positive or negative states, and for determining the address location for each of the plurality of detectors in a positive state indicating the occurrence of a hazardous event. A communication line electronically interconnects the zone node and the monitor node for relaying information from the zone node to the monitor node indicating the address location for each of the plurality of detectors in a positive state. The address location of all detectors in a positive state is displayed to a system user at the monitor node.

Fire protection system

A volume sequential technique allows the production of prototypes from a liquid photopolymer precursor without requiring the CAD model to be decomposed into slices. Inverse Tomographic Construction (ITC) selectively cures the photopolymer in a vat without requiring it translating build platform.

Rapid prototyping method

A rapid prototype modeling system operates to first electronically decompose a discrete part represented by an STL file into electronic layers, using a paradigm characterized by a higher than zero order of fit with respect to the surface of the part. Physical layers are generated from the electronic layers by mechanical devices constructed and arranged to operate in accordance with the paradigm. The physical layers are then stacked appropriately to create a physical model of the discrete part.

Higher order construction algorithm method for rapid prototyping

A rapid prototype modeling system operates to first electronically decompose a discrete part represented by an STL file into thick layers, which are then electronically sliced into cross sectional slices the thickness of a sheet of construction material. The slices are cut from sheets of the construction material in a pattern which permits construction of the layers by stacking the sheets. The layers are then stacked appropriately to create a physical model of the discrete part.

A method and apparatus for monitoring the crystallinity and shrinkage of a olymeric resin during molding in which light is introduced into the mold cavity, from an optical fiber through a light permeable window, transmitted through the resin in the mold, reflected from the opposite side of the mold, collected again by the optical fiber sensor, and the attenuation of the light is analyzed to detect mold filling, the onset of polymer crystallization, and separation of the polymeric material from the mold wall due to shrinkage, which separation also produces the geometry of an interferometer which can be used to detect shrinkage and to measure the rate of shrinkage by counting the minima of interference fringes.

Method and apparatus for monitoring resin crystallization and shrinkage

A method is provided for measuring the onset of polymer solidification, i phase transitions from liquid to crystal or liquid to glass, during injection molding to detect characteristic fluorescence radiation from a dye which has been doped into the polymer at very low concentration. The method involves the use of a calibration relationship between the fluorescence intensity and temperature of the doped polymer in order to determine distinct features which characterize the onset of solidification.

Method for detecting thermodynamic phase transitions during polymer

A method of measuring fluid properties of a polymer melt, undergoing shear and/or extensional flow which utilizes fluorescent anisotropy. The method utilizes a polymeric chromophore which includes a bifunctional anthracene that is covalently bonded to polybutadiene. The invention also involves an optical probe which is designed to be inserted into existing temperature and/or pressure probe ports in processing equipment. The probe includes a rotatable polarizer and emission collection fibers.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Charles L Thomas