Systems and methods for mapping and marking the thickness of bioprosthetic sheet
US6378221B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2/2415
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method to facilitate thickness measurement of bio-material workpiece, preferably a sheet, and to topographically map the sheet into similar thickness zones for later use. In particular, the system may include a three-axis programmable controller for manipulating a bio-material workpiece with respect to a thickness measurement head. The measurement head may include a plurality of sensors for simultaneous measurement of a plurality of points, with the sensors being adapted to contact the sheet or not. A robust human-machine interface is also provided for process control, preferably including a touch-screen monitor. A marking head may be provided for marking the zones or otherwise indicating the thickness in different areas. Two platens are desirably used in parallel for increased thoughput; the workpiece on one platen may be measured while the other is marked. The system and method are especially suited for assessing and marking pericardial tissue for forming heart valve leaflets. The system may also include logic that analyzes the thickness data and generates a thickness map of the sheet divided into similar thickness zones from which similarly sized leaflets can be cut…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.