University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.

University of Minnesota

National Board of Medical Examiners

Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

Jack B Stubbs

Fluvio Lobo Fenoglietto

Timothy Mariusz Kowalewski

Robert Sims

Gregory Kermit Peterson

Darrin D Beekman

Jim Inziello

Arthur Guy Erdman

Paul Anthony Iaizzo

Sean Lester Moen

Robert M Sweet

Sachin Bijadi

James Inziello

Troy E Reihsen

Lauren H Poniatowski

Andrew Misselt

Vincent Rotty

David Hananel

Fluvio Lobo

Astrini Sie

Kristin Stubbs

Michael Winek

Kim Leblanc

A method of designing and manufacturing a replica composite object based on an original object. The method identifies the structure and physical properties of an original object. Base materials, bodies, and structural templates, each of which includes associated physical properties, are utilized to generate a 3-dimensional model. The 3-dimensional model is discretized and tested to determine if the selected combination of base materials and bodies have physical properties that substantially equal the physical properties of the original object. If the physical properties do not equate, the 3-dimensional model is optimized by adjusting the combination of base materials, bodies, and structural templates. When the difference between the measured physical properties of the 3-dimensional model and the identified physical properties of the original object is less than a tolerance value, the method instructs an additive manufacturing system to generate a replica composite object based on the original object.

Method for the design and manufacture of composites having tunable physical properties

A system and method that relies on the principles of material science, deformable body mechanics, continuum mechanics and additive manufacturing to reduce the costs associated with additive manufacturing. Physical properties are used by numerical solution methods, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) or Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), to deform an original model of an object to be manufactured into a viable configuration that reduces fabrication material, time, and cost when manufacturing an object through additive manufacturing.

Deformation-based additive manufacturing optimization

Methods of optimizing additive manufacturing processes for improved efficiencies and accuracies, particularly by simplifying the user interface portions of the processes. The methods use path-finding calculations, such as vector fields, vector trails, and texture maps, to form accurate models from which replica composite objects can be printed, without requiring complex parameter inputs and calculations from the user. The methods measure and plot vector fields by considering the location of a particle within the volume of an object at various points of time to develop a strand-like model that is used to manufacture a replica object.

Methods of using vector fields and texture maps as inputs to design and manufacture composite objects with tunable properties

Embodiments relate to multi-focal intravascular pressure catheters and related systems and methods. In an embodiment, a catheter comprises a plurality of pressure sensors spaced apart along at least a portion of the catheter. Each of the plurality of pressure sensors can comprise a pressure membrane arranged over an aperture in the catheter. In an embodiment, the pressure membrane can comprise carbon nanotubes, silver or gold nanoparticles, or another suitable material that can provide a signal in response to a mechanical change (e.g., deformation or flexing of the pressure membrane) to indicate a pressure or change in pressure. Signals from the plurality of pressure sensors can be communicated to an electrical interface which can calibrate or convert the signals into a visual indication of the pressure at any one of the plurality of pressure sensors as well as pressure gradients between various ones of the plurality of pressure sensors.

Multi-focal intravascular pressure catheter devices, systems and methods

Medical training and performance assessment instruments, methods, and systems are disclosed. Training and/or assessment systems may include an augmented medical instrument for use by a student to examine a patient. A system in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes a first augmented medical instrument configured to sense a first physical parameter during examination of a subject and produce a first examination data and a second augmented medical instrument configured to sense a second physical parameter during examination of the subject and produce a second examination data. The system is configured to generate at least one simulated physical parameter based on the first examination data and present the at least one simulated physical parameter to the student on the second augmented medical instrument.

Medical training and performance assessment instruments, methods, and systems

Apparatus and methods for ablating material in a region within a vascular system of a patient are provided. A determination of at least one of a type of material in the region and an indication of a distance to the material in the region is made based on at least one property of the region determined from light reflected from the region. Light from a light source is transmitted in at least one of a plurality of optical fibers based on the determination, and at least some of the transmitted light is received at a first emitter disposed along a length of a laser catheter proximate a distal end thereof. The first emitter radially transmits the at least some of the light from the length of the laser catheter so that the light impinges upon and ablates the material through an opening in the length of the laser catheter.

Laser catheter with use of determined material type in vascular system in ablation of material

Apparatus and methods for determining a type of a material in a region within a vascular system of a patient and/or a distance to the material are provided. At least one source fiber is provided that supplies light from a light source to a region within a vascular system of a patient. At least one return fiber is provided to receive light reflected from the region within the vascular system. At least one controller is provided to determine at least one property of the region within the vascular system from the reflected light, and to determine a type of a material in the region within the vascular system and/or an indication of a distance to the material. Techniques such as laser ablation may then be performed based on the determined material type and/or distance to remove unwanted buildup, deposits, etc., while avoiding harmful results such as tearing of tissue.

Laser catheter with use of reflected light to determine material type in vascular system

A system for assessing performance of a procedure comprises a tissue model or a tool comprising assessment indicators applied thereto, one or more image-capturing devices for capturing one or more assessment images of the assessment indicators while or after a user performs the medical procedure, and a processor configured to analyze the assessment indicators in the one or more assessment images and provide feedback to the user. A system can also comprise a tissue model, one or more image-capturing devices each configured to capture one or more images of the tissue model, and a processor configured to analyze the one or more images from the one or more image-capturing devices to determine a deformation of the tissue model and determine a force exerted on the tissue model based on the determined deformation of the tissue model.

Systems and methods for analyzing surgical techniques

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Lake Elmo, MN, United States of America

Jack B Stubbs