Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cardiopulmonary Corporation

3m Innovative Properties Company

Douglas M Johnston

Douglas P Hart

Federico Frigerio

Manas Chandran Menon

Daniel Vlasic

James W Biondi

David E Altobelli

Janos Rohaly

Gary L Schroeder

Eric B Paley

Micah J Rosenbloom

Steven V Weeks

Edward K Tekeian

Joseph Boerjes

Simon K J Schiessl

Michael P Girard

Stephen Jack Herman

Robert L Reynolds

Gerhardt P Schroeder

Michael Patrick Girard

Donald D Gilmore

Don Gilmore

Simon KJ Schiessl

The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain dynamic three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.

Selecting an earpiece based on dynamic data

Various improvements to inflatable membranes for use in three-dimensional imaging of interior spaces are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, equipping the inflatable membrane with desirable optical features, such as fiducials, optical coatings, etc., that can be used to improve data acquisition.

Three dimensional scanning using membrane with optical features

The systems and methods disclosed herein employ a scanning system for capturing highly detailed digital dental models. These models may be used within a dentist's office for a wide array of dental functions including quality control, restoration design, and fitting. These models may also, or instead, be transmitted to dental laboratories that may, alone or in collaboration with the originating dentist or other dental professionals, transform the digital model into a physical realization of a dental hardware item.

Digital dentistry

Evaluating fit of an earpiece based on dynamic data

Various improvements to three dimensional imaging systems having inflatable membranes are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, a proximity sensor that can be used to warn a user of the device when approaching a feature in a cavity, such as an eardrum in an ear canal; or optical sensors with an optical coating matching the refractive index of the medium in which the optical sensors are deployed, to improve data acquisition.

Enhanced sensors in three dimensional scanning system

Various improvements to inflatable membranes are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, features on the membrane that can mitigate hazards such as bubble formation or frictional damage during inflation of the membrane.

Inflatable membrane with hazard mitigation

Various improvements to inflatable membranes are disclosed. These improvements include techniques for advantageously controlling the inflation of a membrane within a cavity, such as a human ear canal.

Inflatable membrane having non-uniform inflation characteristic

Positioning an input transducer for an earpiece based upon dynamic data

Simulating earpiece fit based upon dynamic data

A multi-purpose device that can be used, as, among other things, an otoscope and a three dimensional scanning system is disclosed.

Integrated otoscope and three dimensional scanning system

Using dynamic data to determine a material profile for earpiece

Imaging shape changes in ear canals

Dynamic three-dimensional imaging of ear canals

The invention features an exhalation assist device for adjusting the airway resistance in an exhalation circuit of a medical ventilator. The device includes a set of pressure, airflow and airway sensors, a controlling processor, a user interface, and a ventilatory unit in communication with a medical ventilator. Data relating to pressure within the ventilatory unit and data relating to exhalation airflow, exhalation circuit pressure and exhalation circuit resistance are provided to the controlling processor by the sensors. The controlling processor compares measured and calculated values for airway pressure, airflow, airway resistance and applied negative pressure with desired values that have been entered by a clinician. Based on these calculations, the controlling processor transmits a signal that will change the applied negative pressure applied to the exhalation circuit by the ventilatory unit. The amount of negative pressure applied during the breathing cycle is varied by the controlling processor so that the amount of exhalation assist increases proportionately with the amount of exhalation flow and so that the amount of pressure within the patient airway remains constant at a level greater than zero and less than PEEP.

Ventilator control system and method

Growing community of inventors

Winchester, MA, United States of America

Douglas M Johnston