Dadatron, are you going to cut the pillow in your office while the patient waits?
No, I've come up with a 3D imaging system which provides me with the shape and measurements of the patient. They are out there and commercially available, but I've modified it for my needs. I combine his/her physical shape with MRI findings and primary complaints, ie left arm pain, neck pain, etc, and develop a pillow which puts the patient in the 'best available' position when sleeping on back, left and right side. Since everyone is different, I have to have a way to cut the foam in order to accommodate all these issues.
I came up with it 3 years ago for myself. Over the last 3 years, I've modified my own and made enough others that I feel I need to improve my production capability and quality. Up to now, I've just been in a 'learning/helping' phase. I think that with a better production machine, I can learn more with better and more consistent quality, thereby refining my algorithms and finding what works best with given body shapes, sizes, and problems.
All in all, its been a long 3 years, trying to do most on my own. I've ran through about every foam cutting machine in the world... literally. I've spoken with major manufacturers in the Auto and mattress industry. Foam suppliers, etc. I've narrowed my needs down, and if I can begin building them in a realistic manner, I'll start thinking about selling them. Up to now, I have been exclusively in the 'research' phase in which I make it with no guarantees and my patients use them and provide feedback. Its actually worked really well. But I am at the make or break point of making this a real business or just helping my small sliver of the population.
I have general CNC design ideas, but it requires a completely different cutter... not at ALL like anything currently available. But that will be a significant investment, so I am looking for a hand held cutter which will work in the interim and be better for 'proving' my business theory and need before the big $$$ investment in patented engineering.
