US 12,277,664 B2
Method of manufacture of custom cranial remodeling devices by additive manufacturing
Timothy R. Littlefield, Phoenix, AZ (US); Jerold N. Luisi, Phoenix, AZ (US); and George E. Kechter, Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to CRANIAL TECHNOOLGIES, INC., Tempe, AZ (US)
Filed by CRANIAL TECHNOLGIES, INC, Tempe, AZ (US)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/115,639.
Application 18/115,639 is a division of application No. 17/178,027, filed on Feb. 17, 2021, granted, now 11,625,901.
Application 17/178,027 is a continuation of application No. 16/925,700, filed on Jul. 10, 2020, granted, now 11,776,228.
Application 16/925,700 is a continuation of application No. 15/474,684, filed on Mar. 30, 2017, granted, now 10,710,356, issued on Jul. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0206577 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06T 19/20 (2011.01); A61F 5/058 (2006.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B29L 31/48 (2006.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); B29K 105/04 (2006.01)
CPC G06T 19/20 (2013.01) [A61F 5/05891 (2013.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); B29K 2105/04 (2013.01); B29L 2031/4807 (2013.01); G06T 2210/22 (2013.01); G06T 2210/41 (2013.01); G06T 2219/2016 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for creating a digital data device file of a custom cranial remodeling device for correction of a deformed head shape of an infant, said method comprising:
utilizing digital capture apparatus to capture data for said deformed head shape;
generating a three-dimensional digital data file representative of said deformed head shape, said three-dimensional digital data file comprising said data captured by digital capture apparatus;
operating said processor to execute program instructions stored in a memory to automatically process said three-dimensional digital data file of said deformed head shape to identify first areas on said deformed head shape in said three-dimensional digital data file where an inner surface of said custom cranial remodeling device is to contact said deformed head shape and to identify second areas on said deformed head shape where said inner surface is to be spaced apart from said deformed head shape;
operating said processor to utilize said three-dimensional data file, said first areas, and said second areas to generate a three-dimensional modified head shape digital data file for a modified head shape for said infant;
said processor utilizing said first areas and said second areas to define an inner surface of said custom cranial remodeling device in said digital data device file;
operating said processor to execute said program instructions to utilize said three-dimensional modified head shape digital data file to generate said digital data device file for a shape for said custom cranial remodeling device;
said shape comprising said inner surface comprising first inner surface areas to contact said deformed head shape and second inner surface areas to be spaced apart from said deformed head shape, said inner surface configured to reshape said deformed head shape as said infant grows;
operating said processor to execute said program instructions to utilize said three-dimensional data file of said deformed head shape to provide contour lines that determine peripheral edges for said custom cranial remodeling device; and
said processor executing said program instructions to utilize said contour lines to determine peripheral edges for said shape in said digital data device file.