SweetVision systems

Although our blog hasn't been updated in a while, we have been quite busy with R&D.  This, despite the exceptional ups & downs I experienced in 2014.  All I can say is that it resulted in me having a new perspective and appreciation of life, my family and friends and a new focus on business!

2015 is here and we just completed a redesign of our desktop and laptop imaging systems, SweetVision HD.  We’ve implemented cd quality, audio recording (great for speech pathologists and vocal cord stroboscopy); local file encryption and cloud-based, HIPAA compliant sharing services for telemedicine usage; automated thumbnail sheet creation of video examinations; and wireless foot pedal control of video recording and image snapshots.

Just got back from Turkey after another blessed opportunity to coordinate business and pleasure.  While there, I met with Dr. Cem Bozkurt, CEO of Alvimedica, and his team to explore the possibility of collaborating together and utilizing the SweetVision technology.  They specialize in manufacturing balloon and stent products for angioplasty procedures and were looking to possibly branch out with other types.

After traveling about 1.5 hours from the center of Istanbul to Çatalca, I arrived at Alvimedica's facility and met with the staff.  I had an opportunity to give a demonstration of my technologies but unfortunately, I was woefully unprepared as my portable light source's batteries weren't fully charged and embarrassingly, the imaging was less than impressive.  I will never *let that* happen again!

The next day, I met with Dr. Ismail Kocak and gave him an update of my technologies.  One of them was a high speed, HD camera that captured 500fps in 720p.  When coupled with his xenon stroboscope, we were able to capture exceptional detail of the vocal cords while phonating.  He was quite impressed!  After demonstrating the high quality and high speed video capture, it made me realize there was great potential for integration of this feature into SweetVision HD.  As you can imagine, there was a whole lot of positivity to reflect upon during the plane ride home.  It makes up for the 8-hour, domestic flight delay that me, my wife and newborn son had to previously endure!

After the Frost & Sullivan article was published, I have been in communication with a major international endoscope company and received some excellent feedback.  While they don't see any immediate need or synergistic opportunities with my products right now, it was expressed that as a larger corporation, they would need to reconsider how to stay relevant with the constant evolution of technology.  That was music to my ears as I have always said that by being a small company who researches and uses emerging tech, it gives me an advantage and head start to bring exciting and cutting edge ideas to the market.  That type of agility is often not seen with the larger, monolithic entities as after 2 years, they are still trying to recover their R&D costs while newer and higher performing products become available.  One such example is how I will be offering an *Ultra* HD endoscope imaging product soon whereas it has been unheard of by the medical sales reps that I have been speaking to.  Ultra HD (4k) resolution is 6 times greater than 1080p and 12 times greater than 720p!  That in turn provides superior imaging and ultimately more accurate diagnosis of pathologies.

Today, I had the fortunate opportunity to take advantage of a 3D scanning workshop that was sponsored by Konica-Minolta.  The timing was perfect since (for my new design of SweetVision mobile) I am using the Nokia 808 and had to reverse engineer its exact shape so I could build a custom case around it and then have the first prototype sent out for 3D printing.  Before this workshop, my first scanning attempt was a DIY method using the free version of 'David 3D scanning' software along with a LED projector for Structured Light Scanning (SLS) of the phone.  My results were good but I think since I used a varifocal lens on my camera, the output was not captured to scale (+15%).  I didn't spend much time tweaking the system but if I did, I understand I could of gotten an accuracy of around 0.1% of the object size.  Not bad for a total 3D scanning system costing less than $500 (< $100 if I used a line laser).

I hustled down to the workshop this morning and sat down with all my gadgets laid out on the table to stir curiosity.  Right away, I was asked if I had a part to scan and after introducing my iPhone endoscope imaging system, they got right to work.

The representatives there were very knowledgeable and informative in regards to the techniques they were using and current state of 3D scanning.  One thing that was interesting is how they used talcum powder and a brush on the black and shiny surfaces in order to make them apparent with the scans (I love simple solutions!).  In total, they took about 18 scans to create the final CAD file and the accuracy was right on spot at .2 mm.

What an amazing business vacation in Turkey!  It started with an 18 hour journey that included 2 flights and a car ride that went through the winding mountains of the Datca Pennisula (which is in South Western Turkey on the coast of the Aegean Sea).  Got to climb a mountain and shoot a fun video for the upcoming Kickstarter fund raising drive and my SweetVision mobile, smartphone endoscope imaging system.  That was after our daily swim in the turquoise waters of Aktur.  When underwater there, your visibility with goggles is limited by your eyesight alone – it’s like a never ending pool which I refer to in my mind whenever I need serenity.  Enjoyed local cuisine with my family while watching a full moon rise over the mountaintop.  Coordinated business meetings for our return to Istanbul while riding on a family friend’s yacht.  Traveled to Bodrum to stay with family and see where the socialites vacation.

Istanbul:

Met with Ishak Alaton, founder of Alarco which is one of Turkey’s largest holdings companies and is considered one of Turkey’s most accomplished businessman.  The experience was both personally and professionally amazing.  Discussed possibilities of project collaboration with Alvimedica, which is part of his medical division in Holland.  Also discussed getting in touch with one of his medical device catalog sales contacts for global distribution of products – SweetVision mobile is what I have in mind.

Later, I met with Dr. Ismail Kocak who is considered one of the top ENT doctors in Turkey.  He had a beautiful office around what is considered the 5th Avenue of Istanbul.  He used very modern equipment there and was most impressed with my iPhone endoscope system.  So much, he wanted to buy it there on the spot!  This was after he explained that his attempt to do the same with glue and tape didn’t work out so well.  To his disappointment, it wasn’t for sale yet but he will be the first on my pre-order list.  We also discussed having me design an advanced camera system that will better image vocal cord motion and performance.  I have to get some demo systems out to him and if he likes what he sees, he says he will recommend the units to other doctors.

Finally, I met with Ozden and Yasemin Dalli of CDK Medical Distribution.  Their company coordinates the distribution of medical devices to different regions of the world and to different classes of users (hospitals, offices, clinics, etc.)  They too were most impressed with the simplicity and effectiveness of SweetVision mobile and saw a potential market for that unit.  Not only in Turkey but in Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia!   When I was asked what my target was, I wasn’t sure exactly what they meant.  Target sales, target market?  When specified as to how many I want to sell, I stated my goal was to have this be standard equipment in all global locations that would benefit from it.  While that might be too vague for those looking to get a sense of sales potential, it was the most honest answer I could give at the time.   With the technological advances seen in smartphones (especially with the lossless quality zooming, as seen with the 41MP Nokia 808!), I do see it being transformative and disruptive in terms of its potential. 

Then I finished the trip with traditional Turkish meze in the crazy district of Beyoglu and a birthday celebration with good friends and family.  Overall, what an unforgettable experience but I couldn’t wait to get back to the states where I can have a conversation with people in my native language of English and eat food that requires more significant chewing.  Time to get back to work and follow up with those contacts!

Super happy today as I was just selected as one of the "40 Under 40, Medtech Innovators" by Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine!  It's a leading edge publication who has their finger on the pulse of what's new and developing in the medical industry.  Don't mind the mustache in the picture - I was in my creative phase and I heard it helps :-)

I had the honor and privilege of setting up space within Dennis Leiner's booth for Lighthouse Imaging!  He's an endoscope and optics expert who I have been collaborating with on my new designs.  While there and demonstrating my fiberscope filtering and video capture software, he said to a friend who he was demonstrating to, "It's like magic how the mesh pattern disappears!"  That felt great to hear that from someone of his knowledge and experience.

Below are some fun pics.  I later learned photos aren't supposed to be taken (makes sense) so people were pretty suspicious with me and my iPhone endoscope system shooting away.  Innocently I was trying to get some shots with a unique perspective but sure enough, it looked like I was James Bond, undercover and identifying circuit components.  Others were quite intrigued and the guys at RedEye Rapid Prototyping were excellent with their explanations of how they are different than other services and how their 3D printing with Fused Deposit Material (FDM) works.  Needless to say, they got me as a client now.

MD&M East '12: Philadelphia photos