Inflatable Membrane With Optical Features For 3D Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional scanning techniques for capturing thickness measurements inside inflated membranes are inadequate for specific environments like the human ear canal, requiring improved inflatable membranes for effective data capture.
Innovation Solution
The development of inflatable membranes with non-uniform inflation characteristics, integrated three-dimensional scanning systems, and optical features such as fiducials and coatings to enhance data capture and processing, including the use of pumps for controlled pressure and illumination sources to calculate distances using different wavelengths of light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If uniform inflation is used in the membrane, then the membrane inflates evenly and predictably, but the scanning accuracy and data capture quality deteriorate in specific environments like the ear canal
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with non-uniform inflation characteristics where different regions have different inflation properties. Specifically, the membrane includes regions with varying thickness, stiffness, or elasticity that cause selective inflation of certain areas over others. This local variation in inflation quality enables the membrane to conform to specific anatomical structures (like the ear canal) while maintaining sufficient contact pressure for accurate optical scanning in those critical regions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the membrane is made highly adaptable to specific environments, then data capture improves in those environments, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire membrane highly complex and adaptable, the design applies local quality by incorporating specific structural features (such as varying thickness, stiffness gradients, or localized reinforcement) only in regions where adaptability is needed. This allows the membrane to be tailored for specific environments like the ear canal while keeping other portions simpler and easier to manufacture.
3Measurement precision
If optical features like fiducials and coatings are added to enhance data capture, then measurement precision improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical features (fiducials, reflective coatings, absorptive coatings) are integrated directly into the membrane structure during manufacturing, rather than being added as separate components. The fiducial markers are embedded or printed on the membrane surface, and optical coatings are applied as part of the membrane fabrication process. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and simplifies assembly while maintaining high measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables improved three-dimensional imaging of interior spaces by providing precise data capture and processing, particularly in challenging environments like the ear canal, with enhanced accuracy and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
The medium may selectively absorbs one wavelength of light more than another wavelength of light
Implementation Method 2
an illumination source disposed within the interior and positioned to illuminate a surface of the interior
Data Source
AI summary
Various improvements to inflatable membranes for use in three-dimensional imaging of interior spaces are disclosed. These improvements include, among other things, equipping the inflatable membrane with desirable optical features, such as fiducials, optical coatings, etc., that can be used to improve data acquisition.