Company History

The aerospace stage

In the 1990s, while the original team of scientists was still at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory, they explored a wide range of measurement applications to understand their inventions’ relative advantages. One of the unique features of the technology was the ability to scan and measure larger objects to the highest accuracy, and the aerospace industry proved to be particularly interested in the technology's future capabilities. They experimented with various medical applications such as the scanning of teeth as well as forensics, automotive, marine and aerospace components.

There was early interest from very sophisticated users of industrial metrology or measurement systems, including large jet engine manufacturers, aircraft and aerospace component manufacturers, space agencies and several branches of the U.S. armed forces. They were looking for ways to inspect components and assemblies to comply with regulatory requirements, to enhance energy efficiency and to streamline production.

DPI participated in several technology development projects with the National Center for Manufacturing Science (NCMS), and delivered advanced 3D measurement solutions to leading aerospace organizations as well as several branches of the U.S. armed forces. The measurement solutions were first and foremost focused on measurement accuracy.

In general, the evolution of CAD/CAM software, advances in digital imaging and general computer processing power also contributed to providing DPI's team of scientists and engineers with new opportunities. The results of the product development efforts remained encouraging to demanding industry users.

In 2007, DPI issued a press release reporting from independent tests conducted at the calibration-certified laboratory of a major aircraft manufacturer and a major power systems supplier that "results showed the [DPI scanner] to be twice as accurate as other systems, and [..] a higher degree of repeatability than any other 3D scanner in the market." 

In April 2008, DPI entered into a licensing agreement with FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: FARO) wherein FARO gained the rights to DPI’s technology with a focus on industrial measurement applications. FARO is a leading supplier of portable measurement systems. If you’re interested in more information about our involvement in the industrial measurement arena, please follow these links to Industrial Applications and Industrial Measurement Case Studies .

Changing to a healthcare focus

In addition to the Boston area's many renowned colleges and universities, the area is also home to many of the world’s leading research hospitals and both large and small healthcare and life science focused companies. It was therefore natural for DPI's leadership team to seek ideas about future applications of DPI's proprietary technology focused on healthcare.

Today, DPI's technology has evolved an ever smaller scanning device and the ability to scan in real time. This opens up for a range of potential new applications. DPI remains true to its roots as a metrology company (metrology is the science of measurements) even as it enters the medical field, and continues to focus on measurement accuracy.

Intra-oral scanning in dentistry

The first medical opportunity pursued by DPI’s team was an intra-oral scanner for use in dentistry. Dentistry was targeted in party due to the generally promising evolution and penetration of digital dentistry and CAD/CAM solutions. Generally speaking, an intra-oral scanner was seen as a replacement for the conventional "goop" used for making "impressions" of teeth. Instead of a wax-like impression and a plaster model, an intra-oral scanner can create a direct 3D digital impression of the teeth in the patient’s mouth. The digital (impression) file can be manipulated (CAD) and used for manufacturing (CAM) of both restorative and orthodontic purposes.

The DPI team has developed a light weight, hand-held scanner capable of creating an accurate 3D digital impression without the use of any dulling surface sprays required by other intra-oral scanners. DPI’s intra-oral scanner creates real-time surface measurements at video-rate, and was developed with ease-of use as the second most important requirement after measurement accuracy. 

Potential future uses

DPI is now exploring new uses and new embodiments of its proprietary technology. For example, plans to develop an endoscopic 3D measurement are underway. Other potential applications of DPI's technology under consideration can be found in medical diagnostics, surgical assistance, dermatology and microscopy.