Methods for making prosthetic surfaces
AssigneeA-Pear Biometric Replications Inc.
InventorThomas Ferrone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods for reproducing a 3D object surface are provided. A preferred method according to this invention includes (1) identifying a real object surface, (2) acquiring at least a 3D data set with a 3D surface imaging device, (3) acquiring at least a 2D data set using a 2D surface imaging device with a surface resolution of at least about 0.1 mm2, (4) synthesizing a 3D composite data set by orienting a first virtual image of the first data set and a second virtual image of the second data set to form a composite virtual image that corresponds to the composite data set, and (5) making a reproduction of the object surface with the composite data set. Orientation of the virtual images is relative to each other and without substantial loss of surface resolution.
Claims46
A method for reproducing a 3D object surface comprising:
- identifying a real object surface having at least one measurable dimension;
- acquiring at least a 3D data set using a 3D imaging device, said 3D data set depicting said object surface;
- acquiring at least a 2D second data set using a second surface imaging device, the second data set depicting said object surface and having a surface resolution;
- synthesizing a 3D composite data set by combining said 3D data set and said 2D second data set through orienting, relative to each other and without substantial loss of said surface resolution, a first virtual image of said first data set and a second virtual image of said second data set to form a composite virtual image, said composite virtual image corresponding to said composite data set;
- and
- making a physical reproduction of said object surface with said composite data set.
A method for making a prosthetic skin for covering a prosthetic device that replaces a missing limb that attaches to a stump, said method comprising:
- acquiring at least a first data set with a surface imaging device, said first data set depicting a surface of an original limb and having a surface resolution;
- synthesizing a 3D composite data set by combining a second data set with said first data set through orienting, relative to each other, a first virtual image of said first data set and a second virtual image of said second data set, said composite data set depicting said prosthetic skin without substantial loss of said surface resolution;
- providing said composite data set to a digitally controlled fabrication device, wherein said fabrication device is selected from a group comprising a fused deposition modeling device, stereo lithographic device, 3D electroforming system, a laminated object manufacturing system, a solid ground curing device, and a 3D printing device;
- fabricating a negative mold with said fabrication device using said composite data set, said mold substantially depicting said prosthetic skin;
- and
- fabricating said prosthetic skin with said mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.