Abstract:
The invention provides systems and methods for manufacture of a non-homogeneous article using a 3D voxel-based model of the article and a rapid prototyping device. Use of a voxel-based model provides processing advantages and offers improved realism of the manufactured object with regard to non-homogeneous (i) color, (ii) translucency, and/or (iii) hardness, for example.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to systems and methods for designing and manufacturing dentures. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to a system for preparing a denture base plate. The system includes a user interface and a design application for creating a virtual model, and a manufacturing apparatus for fabricating a denture base plate corresponding to the virtual model. In other embodiments, an apparatus is provided that includes a graphical interface and a design application for selecting a set of virtual denture teeth and placing and adjusting the virtual denture teeth in relation to each other and a virtual denture base plate.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for generating a computer model from scan data from a patient, comprising: (1) acquiring the scan data from the patient; (2) selecting a plurality of key frames from the scan data; (3) hand segmenting the selected key frames, whereby to identify specific anatomical structures; (4) automatically generating segmented intervening frames for the regions between the key frames using an interpolation process; (5) merging the automatically segmented intervening frames with the hand segmented key frames so as to generate a complete set of segmented frames; (6) obtaining a first measurement of a selected feature of the complete set of segmented frames; (7) hand segmenting at least one additional key frame and replacing a corresponding intervening frame with said one additional key frame within the complete set of segmented frames; (8) re-interpolating the set of segmented frames based upon the updated set of key frames; (9) obtaining a second measurement of the selected feature of the re-computed set of segmented frames; (10) comparing said second measurement with said first measurement; and (11) if the second measurement differs from the first measurement by a statistically significant amount, replacing the first measurement with the second measurement and repeating the process from Step 7.
Abstract:
A multiple view endoscope for providing "on command" images of a plurality of different fields of view surrounding the distal end of the endoscope without having to move the endoscope from an initially established position in order to access the different fields of view. A multiplicity of image capturing means are disposed in an array on the distal end to permit the operator to select and view either any one of, or any combination of, the multiple views provided by the multiplicity of image capturing means.
Abstract:
An endoscopic viewing system for maintaining a surgeon's normal sense of kinesthesia during endoscopic surgery regardless of the orientation of the endoscope vis-a-vis the surgeon.
Abstract:
A base station has a transmission element to wirelessly transmit at least one data frame. The at least one data frame has a predetermined uplink allocation and a predetermined downlink allocation. A detection element detects a congestion condition. When the congestion condition is detected, the transmission element transmits a request to at least one neighboring base station for an expansion of the predetermined uplink allocation or the predetermined downlink allocation. A reception element receives a signal from the at least one neighboring base station. A processing element expand the one of the predetermined uplink allocation or the predetermined downlink allocation by a specified amount in response to the signal indicating the specified amount for a mutually agreed time, or number of symbols or frames.
Abstract:
A method, base station, and wireless communications system for interlacing Access and Backhaul frames in a Time Division Duplex wireless communication system. The method includes monitoring Access traffic and Backhaul traffic (604). Access traffic characteristics, Backhaul traffic characteristics, and corresponding frame control overhead information are determined in response to the monitoring (606). The method also includes determining an amount of time required to deliver a substantially equal amount of bearer Access traffic and Backhaul traffic (608). A frame interlacing ration is determined (608) in response to determining the amount of time required to deliver a substantially equal amount of bearer Access traffic and Backhaul traffic. A set of Access frames (302) and a set of Backhaul frames (304) are interlaced on a frequency band using the determined frame interlacing ratio.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an anatomical visualization and measurement system including a first database of 2-D slice images and a second database including a 3-D computer model defining a first software object. Apparatus is provided for selecting a 2-D slice image from the first database. Apparatus is also provided for inserting a second software object into the 3-D computer model. The second software object includes a planar surface and is inserted into the 3-D computer model at the position which corresponds to the position of the selected 2-D slice image relative to the scanned structure. Apparatus is also provided for texture mapping the 2-D slice image onto the planar surface. Display apparatus is provided for displaying an image which simultaneously provides a view of the first software object and the 2-D slice image texture mapped onto the planar surface. An apparatus and method are also provided for determining structural dimensions and volumes using appropriate scanned 2-D slice image information. The present invention permits an appropriate set of scanned 2-D images to be assembled into a 3-D database, information regarding selected structural features to be segmented out of the 3-D database, and measurements to be made based on these structural features. In addition, the present invention permits a set of oblique images to be generated based on these structural features, which oblique images may themselves be used for measurement purposes.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a secure, two-way transmission of medical data over the Internet and through the hospital's firewall using push and pull mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention utilizes standard SSH technology and the rsync and scp protocols to enable secure, cost-effective data transmission over the Internet. The hospital firewall is traversed through the use of an agent located behind the hospital's firewall. The agent utilizes a push mechanism to push the raw scan data through the firewall and over the Internet to the outside third party; and the agent uses a pull mechanism to reach through the firewall and over the Internet to retrieve the data processed by the outside third party. In other words, the present invention transfers data from the hospital to the third party by initiating a data push mechanism from behind the hospital firewall; and transfers the processed data from the outside third party back into the hospital by initiating a data pull mechanism from behind the hospital firewall. The aforementioned agent acts as a broker for the foregoing data transmission and also encodes how the data should be handled once it is received on the hospital side.