US 12,352,557 B2
Orthodontic aligner with strain measurement features, and methods of making and using the same
Alex Fok, Minneapolis, MN (US); Brian Holmes, Minneapolis, MN (US); Ning Ye, Minneapolis, MN (US); Susan Mantell, Minneapolis, MN (US); and Brent E. Larson, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Assigned to REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MN (US)
Appl. No. 17/801,674
Filed by REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, MN (US)
PCT Filed Feb. 24, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/019465
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 23, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/173710, PCT Pub. Date Sep. 2, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/016,041, filed on Apr. 27, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/980,908, filed on Feb. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0131264 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G01B 11/16 (2006.01); G01L 1/24 (2006.01); G06T 7/00 (2017.01); G06T 7/32 (2017.01)
CPC G01B 11/16 (2013.01) [G01L 1/24 (2013.01); G06T 7/0016 (2013.01); G06T 7/32 (2017.01); G06T 2207/30036 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method including steps comprising:
a) acquiring a first digital image of an orthodontic aligner comprising a plurality of speckles adapted for digital image correlation measurements;
b) after a first period of time following the acquiring of step a), acquiring a second digital image of the orthodontic aligner;
c) performing digital image correlation on the first digital image and the second digital image;
d) determining a first change in one or more mechanical properties, mechanical responses, or mechanical performances in the orthodontic aligner based on the digital image correlation of step c);
e) after a second period of time following the acquiring of step b), acquiring a third digital image of the orthodontic aligner;
f) performing digital image correlation on the first digital image and the third digital image or on the second digital image and the third digital image; and
g) determining a second change in one or more mechanical properties, mechanical responses, or mechanical performances in the orthodontic aligner based on the digital image correlation of step f).