ANALOGIC CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160015357 | GAIN CALIBRATION AND CORRECTION IN RADIATION SYSTEM - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for calibration of a radiation system to compute a gain correction(s) are provided. A calibration procedure is performed during which a portion of the detector array is shadowed by an object, causing the detector array to be non-uniformly exposed to radiation. A portion of a projection generated from the calibration procedure and indicative of radiation that did not traverse the object is separated from a portion of the projection indicative of radiation that did traverse the object, and a gain correction(s) is computed from the portion of the projection indicative of radiation that did not traverse the object (e.g., and is thus indicative of radiation that merely traversed air). | 01-21-2016 |
20150355051 | OPTICAL SYSTEM - An optical system includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive a sample carrier carrying a sample for processing, a source that emits an excitation signal having a wavelength within a first predetermined wavelength range, and a first set of optical components that direct the excitation signal along an excitation path to the sample carrier receiving region, wherein radiation having a wavelength within a second predetermined wavelength range is emitted from the sample carrier receiving region in response to receiving the excitation signal. The optical system further includes a detector configured to detect the emitted radiation and generates a signal indicative of a power of the detected radiation and a second set of optical components that directs the emitted radiation along a collection path to the detector. The optical system further includes a power meter that measures a power of the radiation emitted from the sample carrier receiving region and generates a signal indicative thereof. | 12-10-2015 |
20150133770 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ABDOMINAL SURFACE MATCHING USING PSEUDO-FEATURES - A system and method for using pre-procedural images for registration for image-guided therapy (IGT), also referred to as image-guided intervention (IGI), in percutaneous surgical application. Pseudo-features and patient abdomen and organ surfaces are used for registration and to establish the relationship needed for guidance. Three-dimensional visualizations of the vasculature, tumor(s), and organs may be generated for enhanced guidance information. The invention facilitates extensive pre-procedural planning, thereby significantly reducing procedural times. It also minimizes the patient exposure to radiation. | 05-14-2015 |
20150104089 | DETERMINATION OF Z-EFFECTIVE VALUE FOR SET OF VOXELS USING CT DENSITY IMAGE AND SPARSE MULTI-ENERGY DATA - Z-effective (e.g., atomic number) values are generated for one or more sets of voxels in a CT density image using sparse (measured) multi-energy projection data. Voxels in the CT density image are assigned a starting z-effective value, causing a CT z-effective image to be generated from the CT density image. The accuracy of the assigned z-effective values is tested by forward projecting the CT z-effective image to generate synthetic multi-energy projection data and comparing the synthetic multi-energy projection data to the sparse multi-energy projection data. When the measure of similarity between the synthetic data and the sparse data is low, the z-effective value assigned to one or more voxels is modified until the measure of similarity is above a specified threshold (e.g., with an associated confidence score), at which point the z-effective values substantially reflect the z-effective values that would be obtained using a (more expensive) dual-energy CT imaging modality. | 04-16-2015 |
20150069255 | NOISE DISCRIMINATION IN PHOTON COUNTING SYSTEM - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for counting detection events on a detector cell of a photon counting detector array. An electronics arrangement of the detector cell comprises a digital discriminator which is configured according to an impulse response of the detector cell or, more particularly, an impulse response of a radiation detection element of the detector cell (e.g., where the radiation detection element is configured to convert energy of the radiation photon into electrical charge). The digital discriminator is configured to analyze a digital representation of a voltage signal of the detector cell and to compare a result of the analysis to one or more metrics derived based upon the impulse response of the detector cell to identify voltage pulses of the voltage signal that are indicative of detection events. | 03-12-2015 |
20140270081 | DYNAMIC CONTROL OF RADIATION EMISSION - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for selectively inhibiting radiation from being generated by a radiation source are provided. A radiation source comprises an electrically conductive gate situated between a cathode and an anode. When a voltage potential is created between the gate and the cathode, a flow of electrons between the cathode and the anode is mitigated, thus inhibiting radiation from being generated by the radiation source. When the voltage potential is removed or lessened, electrons may more freely flow between the cathode and the anode to generate radiation. In some embodiments, a calibration, such as a dark calibration, may be performed while the gate mitigates the flow of electrons. Moreover, in some embodiments, an accelerating voltage applied to the radiation source may be held substantially constant when radiation is generated as well as when radiation generation is inhibited. | 09-18-2014 |
20140211910 | CORRECTION OF PROJECTION DATA IN RADIATION SYSTEM - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for correcting projection data representative of an object under examination to account for drift in a radiation system are provided. System drift is measured by performing a drift calibration on the radiation system. During the drift calibration, a temperature of the radiation system is measured and one or more calibration tables, such as an air table and/or offset table, are corrected based upon the measured temperature to derive a theoretical projection (e.g., indicative of measurements that are expected to be acquired from the radiation system during the drift calibration). The theoretical projection is compared to an actual projection acquired during the drift calibration to measure a degree of drift. Based upon the measured degree of drift, one or more correction factors are determined to correct and/or otherwise adjust for system drift in a projection respective of the object. | 07-31-2014 |
20140197925 | SAMPLE CARRIER IDENTIFICATION - A sample carrier ( | 07-17-2014 |
20140161333 | SYNTHETIC IMAGE GENERATION BY COMBINING IMAGE OF OBJECT UNDER EXAMINATION WITH IMAGE OF TARGET - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for combining a three-dimensional image of a target with a three-dimensional image of an object that is under examination via radiation to generate a three-dimensional synthetic image are provided. Although the target is not actually comprised within the object under examination, the three-dimensional synthetic image is intended to cause the target to appear to be comprised within the object. In one embodiment, one or more artifacts may be intentionally introduced into the three-dimensional synthetic image that are not comprised within the three-dimensional image of the target and/or within the three-dimensional image of the object to generate a synthetic image that more closely approximates in appearance a three-dimensional image that would have been generated from an examination had the target been comprised within the object. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159499 | SHIELDED POWER COUPLING DEVICE - One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide a shielded power coupling device, such as may be used to transfer electric power from a stator portion of a computed tomography (CT) apparatus to a rotor portion. The shielded power coupling device comprises a rotor portion and a stator portion, separated by an airgap, respectively comprising one or more windings and a core. The shielded power coupling device further comprises a fringe field mitigation element(s) (e.g., an electrically conductive wire) that is configured to carry an induced current that creates a magnetic field that mitigates, or substantially cancels, magnetic flux generated by current in the windings that escapes from the core near the core airgap. | 06-12-2014 |
20140098929 | NON-CONTACT ROTARY POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM - A power delivery system includes a rotary transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and configured to transfer power between stationary coupling elements on a stationary side and rotational coupling elements on a rotational side. The rotational coupling elements share a central axis with the stationary coupling elements, and are adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary coupling elements. The power delivery system includes an isolation transformer that drives the primary winding of the rotary transformer, and a plurality of power inverter stages whose outputs are adapted to be summed and coupled to the rotary transformer. A plurality of output power converters receive transmitted power from the rotary transformer. A plurality of control elements, disposed on the rotating side, are configured to close a feedback loop on desired and actual performance of the output power converters, and to control the power inverter stages. | 04-10-2014 |
20140085042 | SHIELDED POWER COUPLING DEVICE - One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide a shielded power coupling device, such as may be used to transfer electric power from a stator portion of a computed tomography (CT) apparatus to a rotor portion. The shielded power coupling device comprises a rotor portion and a stator portion, separated by an airgap, respectively comprising one or more windings and a core. The shielded power coupling device further comprises a fringe field mitigation element(s) (e.g., an electrically conductive wire) that is configured to carry an induced current that creates a magnetic field that mitigates, or substantially cancels, magnetic flux generated by current in the windings that escapes from the core near the core airgap. | 03-27-2014 |
20140073923 | VELOCITY ESTIMATION FOR VECTOR FLOW IMAGING (VFI) IN ULTRASOUND - An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array, with an array of transducer elements that transmits an ultrasound signal and receives a set of echoes generated in response to the ultrasound signal traversing a flowing structure. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a beamformer that beamforms the set of echoes, generating a beamformed signal. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a pre-processor that performs basebanding, averaging and decimation of the beamformed signal and determines an autocorrelation of the basebanded, averaged and decimated beamformed signal. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a velocity processor that generates an axial velocity component signal and a lateral velocity component signal based on the autocorrelation. The axial and lateral velocity components indicate a direction and a speed of the flowing structure in the field of view. | 03-13-2014 |
20140003583 | ROTATING MEMBER FOR RADIATION IMAGING MODALITY CONFIGURED TO FACILITATE CONTACTLESS TRANSFER OF INFORMATION AND/OR POWER AND/OR TO FACILITATE ASCERTAINING ROTATION ANGLE OF ROTATING MEMBER | 01-02-2014 |
20140003582 | CONTACTLESS INFORMATION TRANSFER IN CT IMAGING MODALITY | 01-02-2014 |
20130343515 | DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT OF X-RAY ACQUISITION PARAMETERS - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for dynamically adjusting one or more X-ray acquisition parameters of an X-ray imaging modality. During a first portion of an examination of an object, the object is examined using a first set of X-ray acquisition parameters and a first image is generated. A region-of-interest is identified in the first image and one or more X-ray acquisition parameters are adjusted as a function of the identified region-of-interest to establish a second set of X-ray acquisition parameters. During a second portion of the examination of the object, the object is examined using the second set of X-ray acquisition parameters to generate a second image. In this way, X-ray acquisition parameters can be adjusted in real-time or ‘on the fly’ to obtain a (more) desired image. | 12-26-2013 |
20130308747 | DOSE REDUCTION VIA DYNAMIC COLLIMATION ADJUSTMENT FOR TARGETED FIELD OF VIEW AND/OR DIGITAL TILT CT - Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques are described for dynamically adjusting, in a fan-angle direction, attenuation of radiation during an examination of an object such that portions of the object that are not represented in resulting (tilted/targeted) images of the object are exposed to less radiation than portions of the object that are represented in resulting (tilted/targeted) images of the object. As a rotating gantry is rotated, blades of a pre-object collimator are dynamically repositioned to selectively attenuate emitted radiation. A collimator adjustment component may be configured to determine how to reposition the blades based at least in part upon at least one of a desired tilt of the resulting (tilted) image(s), a translational position of the object, and a gantry rotation angle, for example. | 11-21-2013 |
20130294578 | VOLTAGE SWITCHING IN AN IMAGING MODALITY THAT UTILIZES RADIATION TO IMAGE AN OBJECT - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for varying a voltage applied to a radiation source of an imaging modality to vary an energy of emitted radiation. A power supply comprises at least two rectifiers, with a first rectifier being electrically separated from a second rectifier via a switching component. When the switching component is opened, the first and second rectifiers are effectively arranged in parallel, and when the switching component is closed, the first and second rectifiers are effectively arranged in series. The voltage applied by the power supply may be different based upon whether the rectifiers are arranged in parallel or in series, but the power output by the power supply may remain substantially constant regardless of the rectifier arrangement. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293008 | CONTROLLING CAPACITIVE SNUBBER AS FUNCTION OF CURRENT IN INVERTER - One or more systems and/or techniques are provided for electrically coupling and/or decoupling a capacitive snubber component to/from an inverter as a function of a current in the inverter. A current sensing component may be configured to measure the current in the inverter and/or determine whether the current in the inverter exceeds a desired threshold. The desired threshold may be set at a value sufficient to reset the capacitive snubber component. When the current in the inverter is above the desired threshold, the capacitive snubber component may be coupled to the inverter. When the current in the inverter is below the desired threshold, the capacitive snubber component may be decoupled from the inverter. In this way, little to no energy stored in the capacitive snubber component may be dissipated in the inverter when the current in the inverter drops below a level sufficient to reset the capacitive snubber component. | 11-07-2013 |
20130279647 | CONTACTLESS COMMUNICATION SIGNAL TRANSFER - Among other things, one or more data-links for transferring information between a stationary unit and a movable (e.g., rotating) unit, or between two movable units without contact between the units is provided. A transmitting antenna of a data-link comprises at least two capacitive conducting portions, a first portion configured to conduct signals having a first frequency range (e.g., a higher frequency range) and a second portion configured to conduct signals having a second frequency range (e.g., a lower frequency range). The second portion is comprised of a plurality of members (e.g., conductive plates) arranged to create a substantially continuous electrically conductive structure (e.g., although respective members may not be in physical contact with adjacent members). In this way, a loss of capacitance in a transition between two adjacent members is reduced to provide for transferring information at lower frequencies where a higher capacitance is desirable, for example. | 10-24-2013 |
20130273529 | Identifying and Correcting An Allelic Ladder Signal For DNA Analysis - A method for determining an allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis includes obtaining a measured allelic ladder signal for an allelic ladder substance, which includes a plurality of fragments, obtaining a reference set of expected fragment sizes of fragments of the ladder substance, and generating a signal identifying whether a peak for a fragment size of the measured ladder signal is a true peak of the ladder substance based on the reference set of expected fragment sizes, wherein the allelic ladder signal for DNA analysis includes the true peaks identified in the signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130266116 | ROTATABLE DRUM ASSEMBLY FOR RADIOLOGY IMAGING MODALITIES - Among other things, a rotatable drum for a radiology imaging modality is provided herein. The rotatable drum comprises a bore, defined by an inner circumference of a sidewall of the rotatable drum. In one embodiment, the sidewall comprises one or more apertures through which radiation may pass. By way of example, a radiation source and a detector array may be mounted outside of the bore (e.g., on an outside surface of the sidewall) and apertures in the sidewall may permit radiation to pass from the radiation source to the detector array without being attenuated by the sidewall of the drum. In another embodiment, the detector array may be comprised of a plurality of detector modules that may be individually mounted/dismounted from the rotatable drum, and in one example, may provide structural support to the rotatable drum. | 10-10-2013 |
20130264483 | TILE FOR DETECTOR ARRAY OF IMAGING MODALITY HAVING SELECTIVELY REMOVABLE/REPLACEABLE TILE SUB-ASSEMBLIES - Among other things, one or more tiles for an indirect-conversation radiation detector array are provided herein. Respective tiles comprise a detector sub-assembly and an electronic sub-assembly, which are operably coupled together, yet selectively removable, via a connection interface. When an electronic sub-assembly portion of a tile, which comprises a signal acquisition system (e.g., an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), functions improperly, the electronic sub-assembly portion of the tile may be selectively removed for repair/replacement without removing and/or replacing the detector sub-assembly (e.g., which may be much more costly to replace). Similarly, when the detector sub-assembly portion of a tile functions improperly, the detector sub-assembly portion of the tile may be selectively removed for repair/replacement without removing and/or replacing the electronic sub-assembly portion of the tile (e.g., although some manipulation of the properly functioning sub-assembly may occur). | 10-10-2013 |
20130259202 | CONTACTLESS COMMUNICATION SIGNAL TRANSFER - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described herein for transferring communication information between a stationary unit and a movable (e.g., rotating) unit, or between two movable units without contact between the units. A transmitter is configured to translate digital information into an analog signal which may be fed to an input coupler positioned within a channel of an electrically conductive member (e.g., on a first unit, such as a stationary unit). The current of the signal induces a signal in an output coupler (e.g., on a second unit, such as a movable unit). Voltage characteristics of the induced signal (e.g., which substantially correspond to voltage characteristics of the signal fed into the input coupler) may subsequently be used to reconstruct the digital data at a receiver. In this manner, information can be communicated between two non-contacting units. | 10-03-2013 |
20130214177 | METHOD OF CALIBRATING AND CORRECTING COLOR-BLEED FACTORS FOR COLOR SEPARATION IN DNA ANALYSIS - A method includes calibrating color bleed factors of optical detector channels of a sample processing apparatus through processing a color bleed calibration substance which includes a plurality of different size fragments replicated from different groups of DNA loci, wherein fragments in a same group are labeled with a same fluorescent dye, and fragments in different groups are labeled with different fluorescent dyes having different emission spectra, wherein the different size fragments are processed during different acquisition times. | 08-22-2013 |
20130200269 | PHOTON COUNTING-BASED VIRTUAL DETECTOR - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for creating virtual channels in a photon emitting imaging modality. The imaging modality comprises a plurality of photon counting channels. Information yielded from two or more photon counting channels during a same or similar acquisition view may be combined to yield a virtual channel that represents a portion of the detection surface substantially equivalent to an area comprised by the two or more photon counting channels. In one example, within a same acquisition view, some virtual channels may comprise a different number of photon counting channels than other virtual channels. Also, different sets of virtual channels may be created for a same acquisition view to produce different images from a single set of data, for example, where there may be overlap between virtual channels such that the same photon counting channel is comprised in more than one virtual channel. | 08-08-2013 |
20130170608 | VOLTAGE RIPPLE REDUCTION - Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are described for reducing a voltage ripple in an electric signal. In this way, in radiographic imaging modalities, for example, undesired fluctuations in an output of a radiation source (e.g., undesirable fluctuations in an energy level of emitted photons) may be reduced. To reduce the voltage ripple, a (ripple reducing) electric signal is generated that comprises properties substantially similar to the voltage ripple, but opposite in phase. The (ripple reducing) electric signal is then combined with the original electric signal to generate a combined electric signal with a voltage ripple that is reduced relative to the voltage ripple of the electric signal as initially generated. | 07-04-2013 |
20130153786 | OPTICAL SYSTEM CALIBRATION VERIFICATION - A sample processing apparatus ( | 06-20-2013 |
20130127580 | SHIELDED POWER COUPLING DEVICE - Axisymmetric solid of revolution derivable from section at FIG. | 05-23-2013 |
20130090861 | INTERNAL SIZING/LANE STANDARD SIGNAL VERIFICATION - A method for verifying an ILS signal for DNA processing includes obtaining the ILS signal, determining acquisition times between peaks of the ILS signal, obtaining acquisition times between peaks in reference ILS information for the ILS signal, and verifying the ILS signal based on the ILS acquisition times and the reference ILS acquisitions times. An ILS signal processor ( | 04-11-2013 |
20130087206 | SAMPLE CARRIER - A micro channel device includes at least one sample processing region ( | 04-11-2013 |
20130078609 | THERMAL CYCLING - A processing apparatus includes a carrier receiving region configured to receive a sample carrier with at least one channel that carries at least one sample. The apparatus further includes a thermal control device configured to thermal cycle the sample carrier when the sample carrier is installed in the carrier receiving region, thereby thermal cycling the sample carried therein. The apparatus further includes a thermal control system configured to control the temperature control device based on a predetermined set of target sample temperatures and a temperature map, which maps the predetermined set of target sample temperatures to a set of temperatures of the temperature control device. The set of temperatures of the temperature control device is different from the predetermined set of target sample temperatures, and the set of temperatures of the temperature control device thermal cycle the sample carrier with the temperatures of the predetermined set of target sample temperatures. | 03-28-2013 |
20130075626 | OPTICAL SYSTEM - An optical system includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive a carrier carrying a sample for processing, a source that emits an excitation signal having a wavelength within a first predetermined wavelength range, and a first set of optical components that direct the excitation signal along an excitation path to the sample carrier receiving region, wherein radiation having a wavelength within a second predetermined wavelength range is emitted from the sample carrier receiving region in response to receiving the excitation signal. The system further includes a detector configured to detect the emitted radiation and generates a signal indicative of a power of the detected radiation and a second set of optical components that directs the emitted radiation along a collection path to the detector and a power meter that measures a power of the radiation emitted from the sample carrier receiving region and generates a signal indicative thereof. | 03-28-2013 |
20130053679 | MULTI-MODALITY IMAGE ACQUISITION - One or more techniques and/or systems are described for automatically generating a transformation matrix for correlating images from an ultrasound modality with images from another modality (or with ultrasound images acquired at a different point in time). Ultrasound volumetric data and volumetric data yielded from another image modality are examined to identify and/or extract features. The transformation matrix is automatically generated, or populated, based at least in part upon common features that are identified in both the ultrasound volumetric data and the volumetric data yielded from the other image modality. The transformation matrix can then be used to correlate images from the different modalities (e.g., to display a CT image of an object next to an ultrasound image of the object, where the images are substantially similar to one another even though they were acquired using different modalities). | 02-28-2013 |
20130032481 | SAMPLE CARRIER AND/OR SAMPLE CARRIER PROCESSING APPARATUS - A sample processing apparatus includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive a sample carrier. The sample carrier includes at least one sample channel carrying at least one sample, at least one agent chamber carrying at least one agent to be moved to the at least one sample channel to facilitate processing of the at least one sample, and the at least one agent chamber includes at least one chamber cover covering at least one opening of the at least one agent chamber, inhibiting flow of the at least one agent from the at least one agent chamber to the at least one sample channel. The sample processing apparatus further includes a chamber opener configured to facilitate opening the at least one chamber cover. The sample processing apparatus further includes a fluid mover that moves the agent out of the at least one agent chamber after the at least one chamber cover is opened and into the at least one sample channel. | 02-07-2013 |
20130011928 | OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEM AND/OR METHOD - An optical detection system ( | 01-10-2013 |
20130003930 | COMBINED IMAGING AND RADIATION THERAPY - One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for examining an object (e.g., a tumor in a patient) and subsequently treating the object. The examination and treatment generally occur very close to one another in time, with the patient remaining on a support article (e.g., on a bed or in a chair) during both the examination and the treatment. In this way, a position of the tumor and/or orientation of the tumor relative to the patient is substantially fixed during both the examination and the treatment. In one embodiment, a support article is configured to rotate during the examination and/or treatment. In this way, the object can be examined (e.g., and volumetric data related to the object can be acquired) and/or treated without moving portions of the imaging and/or treatment apparatus, for example. | 01-03-2013 |
20120323106 | ICG/ECG MONITORING APPARATUS - An ICG/ECG electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first or second electrode senses both an ICG signal and an ECG voltage signal. A physiologic parameter monitoring apparatus includes a set of electrodes, including an electrode for sensing both an ICG voltage signal and an ECG voltage signal corresponding to a patient. The apparatus further includes an ICG monitor for processing the ICG voltage signal sensed by the electrode and an ECG monitor for processing the ECG voltage signal sensed by the same electrode. | 12-20-2012 |
20120313009 | Optical Detection System - An optical detection system includes a sample carrier receiving region that receives a sample carrier carrying a sample. The system further includes a source that emits an excitation signal having a wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range. The excitation signal illuminates the sample carrier. A first sub-portion of the excitation signal is absorbed by the sample, which emits characteristic radiation in response thereto. A second sub-portion of the excitation signal traverses the sample carrier. The system further includes a detector that detects the characteristic radiation. The system further includes an absorber that absorbs the excitation signal traversing the sample carrier without being absorbed by the sample or sample carrier. The absorber absorbs at least 95% of the excitation signal traversing the sample carrier. | 12-13-2012 |
20120294415 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HIGH RESOLUTION NUTATED SLICE RECONSTRUCTION USING QUARTER DETECTOR OFFSET - A method and system are provided for generating high resolution CT images. The NSR# method improves on the AMPR method, by increasing the in-plane image resolution of CT scanners, in the helical scanning mode. The provided method uses the quarter detector offset and interleaving of complementary data to achieve in plane image resolution that is similar to the high resolution axial scanning mode utilizing quarter detector offset and interleaving. The method includes several ways of choosing the data to be interleaved, like NSR# with two planes, NSR# with 3 planes, NSR# with multiple planes. The interleaved data are used to create high resolution tilted slices. The NSR# method optimizes the untilting filter to create a mix of high and low resolution tilted slices to achieve the desired in-plane image resolution-image artifact balance required for the imaging task. In one embodiment in the untilting process one may use only high resolution tilted slices, for maximum resolution benefit. In another embodiment one may mix high resolution tilted slices with standard resolution tilted slices resulting from data that did not go through interleaving. This creates unfilled slices of higher resolution than the standard and with lower artifacts. In another embodiment for scans with pitch lower than ⅔ one may reduce the collimation to reduce the dose to the patient. | 11-22-2012 |
20120289828 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - An ultrasound imaging system includes a console and a key pad. The console includes a two dimensional display region having a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension, wherein the horizontal dimension is smaller than the vertical dimension. The display region includes an upper portion configured to display image data and a lower portion configured to display, concurrently with displaying the image data in the upper portion, a touch screen menu including a set of soft controls that are respectively configured to control a secondary set of ultrasound imaging functions. The key pad includes a set of physical controls that are respectively configured to control a primary set of ultrasound imaging functions, wherein the key pad has a width that is less than a width of the console. In one embodiment, the key pad is hermetically sealed, and is easily cleanable, disinfectable and/or sterilizable. | 11-15-2012 |
20120250003 | OPTICAL DETECTION SYSTEM - An optical detection system includes a detector configured to detect a signal emitted from a sample carrier and generate an output indicative of the signal detected by the detector. The sample carrier emits the signal in response to the sample carrier being scanned by an excitation source, the emitted signal is indicative of a structural characteristic of the sample carrier, and the sample carrier includes bulk material, at least one material free chamber and a bulk material/chamber interface for each chamber. The optical detection system further includes a data evaluator that identifies the structural characteristic of the sample carrier based on the output of the detector and generates data indicative of the identified structural characteristic. | 10-04-2012 |
20120248297 | SYSTEM AND/OR METHOD OF SEPARATING MULTIPLE FLUORESCENT-DYE COLOR SIGNALS - A method comprises receiving an output signal of one of multiple detection channels. The method further includes color separating the output signal and generating a color separated signal substantially only with the peaks corresponding to the detected signals with the principle emission in the emission spectrum range of the detection channel. The method further includes estimating a time-variant amplitude of the gradually decaying tail and removing the time-variant amplitude from the color separated signal. The method further includes generating a corrected colored separated signal with substantially only the peaks corresponding to the fluorescent dyes attached to the fragments in the sample. | 10-04-2012 |
20120197132 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes an ultrasound portion configured to acquire an image of a region of interest of a subject. The apparatus further includes an instrument carrying portion configured to carry and employ an instrument to perform a procedure at the region of interest based on the image. The ultrasound and instrument carrying portions are enclosed in the same enclosure. The apparatus, including both the ultrasound portion and instrument carrying portion, is configured to be transported and operated via at least a single hand of a user of the apparatus. | 08-02-2012 |
20120195410 | CLEANING APPARATUS AND/OR CLEANING TECHNIQUES FOR USE WITH A RADIOGRAPHIC EXAMINATION DEVICE - One or more techniques and/or systems are described herein for cleaning a portion of a radiographic examination apparatus whereon debris may accumulate. Typically, the portion being cleaned is within a scanning field of the radiographic examination device (e.g., within a portion of the radiographic examination device through which radiation traverses). Activation of a cleaning mechanism, or a portion thereof, may be timed to miss radiation emitted during a scan, and thus not interfere with a scan. Also, the cleaning mechanism, or a portion thereof, may be located so as to not attenuate radiation. If radiation is attenuated by the cleaning mechanism corrective techniques can be implemented to account for such attenuation. | 08-02-2012 |
20120193548 | OVERLAPPING DETECTOR ELEMENTS OF A RADIOGRAPHIC DETECTOR ARRAY - One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for creating detector elements that are configured to be overlaid, such that at least a portion of gap between two detector elements is situated in a plane that is not parallel to a plane through which primary radiation travels. That is, a first detector element comprises a portion that is configured to overlap a portion of a second detector element. The detector element(s) may be direct conversion or indirect conversion detector elements. Moreover, one or more electrodes may be placed within the gap and/or along an edge of the detector element to assist in the movement of charge generated by a charge producing portion of the detector element. | 08-02-2012 |
20120187021 | SAMPLE CARRIER AND SAMPLE CARRIER PROCESSING APPARATUS - A sample carrier for carrying one or more samples to be processed by a sample processing apparatus includes at least one sample processing channel, the channel including a first region configured to carry a first fluid and at least a second region, wherein the first fluid in the first region is moved to the second region via compression of the first region. A sample processing apparatus for processing samples carried by sample carriers including at least one raised vessel carrying at least one a sample or a processing material includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive one of the sample carriers and a displacer configured to apply physical pressure to the raised vessel which causes compression of the raised vessel, thereby moving a fluid in the raised vessel to another region of the sample carrier for at least one of mixing or processing by the at least one processing component. | 07-26-2012 |
20120179024 | RF Power Transmitter - A RF power transmitter ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120163553 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL METAL PRINTING - One or more metal printing techniques are described for generating a three-dimensional metal structure, such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional anti-scatter grid. The techniques comprise applying a thin layer of powdered metal onto a printing area and using a binder (which is printed onto the printing area according to a specified pattern) to bind the powdered metal particles together. The acts of applying powdered metal and a binder may be repeated a plurality of times until a three-dimensional metal structure having a specified height is created. Moreover, in one embodiment, once the layering is complete, another binder is applied to the one or more layers to provide strength and/or support. While heat may be used in some embodiments to activate one or more of the applied binders the three-dimensional metal structure is generally not heated to a melting point of the powdered metal. | 06-28-2012 |
20120149020 | THERMOCOOLER FOR THERMOCYCLING A SAMPLE - A sample processing apparatus includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive a sample carrier carrying at least one sample, at least one sample processing station that processes the at least one sample, and a thermal control system that controls thermocycling of the sample during processing of the sample by the at least one sample processing station, wherein the thermal control system includes a heating and/or cooling substrate with a thermocycling region, at least one guard heat region, and at least one thermal break between the thermocycling region and the at least one guard heat region. | 06-14-2012 |
20120128117 | MULTI-CATHODE X-RAY TUBES WITH STAGGERED FOCAL SPOTS, AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING SAME - A source of X-rays including at least two cathodes and at least one common anode configured and arranged so as to generate at least two spaced apart beams of X-rays emanating from respectively different locations of the anode, and separately controlled so as to be generated independently of one another. The staggered focal spots can be generated simultaneously or alternately as required. An X-ray imaging system comprising such an X-rays source, and a method utilizing such a source are also disclosed. | 05-24-2012 |
20120110661 | TWO-WAY AUTHENTICATION - A method for activating a physiologic sensor ( | 05-03-2012 |
20120077197 | SAMPLE THERMAL CYCLING - A sample processing apparatus includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive sample carrier carrying one or more samples for processing by the sample processing apparatus, and a thermal control system that controls a thermal cycling of the one or more samples for processing by the sample processing apparatus by selectively varying a pressure over a fluid in substantial thermal communication with the sample carrier, thereby varying a boiling point temperature of the fluid. | 03-29-2012 |
20120056092 | X-RAY DETECTOR WITH IMPROVED QUANTUM EFFICIENCY - Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for integrating electrical charge yielded from an indirect conversion detector array of a pulsating radiation system are provided. The integration begins during a resting period between a first and second pulse and ends before the second pulse is emitted. Electrical charge that is measured during a resting period is integrated, while electrical charge measured during a pulse is not integrated. In this way, parasitic contributions caused by the direct interaction of radiation photons with a photodiode are reduced and a quantum efficiency of the indirect conversion detector array is increased, for example. Moreover, the period of integration can be adjusted such that a voltage gain related to the indirect conversion detector array can be varied to a predetermined level. | 03-08-2012 |
20120027161 | POWER MANAGEMENT OF CT SYSTEMS - One or more techniques and/or systems described herein implement, among other things, an energy storage component disposed in a stationary portion (e.g., non-rotating portion) of a CT scanning apparatus. The energy storage component receives electrical power from an external source, such as a power outlet, and stores the electrical power. The stored electrical power is provided for an operation on a rotating portion (e.g., non-stationary) of the CT scanning apparatus upon demand, and is sufficient to perform the operation alone or in combination with power from the external source. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025981 | ITEM DISPENSER AND TRACKER - An item tracking apparatus includes a tag interrogator that transmits an interrogation signal and receives a signal emitted by a tag affixed to an item in response to the tag receiving the interrogation signal, wherein the tag and item are part of a bio-compatible consumable dosage delivery unit and a controller that determines a state of the item based on the received signal. A consumable dosage delivery unit includes a dosage form and a bio-compatible wireless communications tag. | 02-02-2012 |
20120022379 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound imaging probe ( | 01-26-2012 |
20110317905 | ANTI-COUNTERFEITING / AUTHENTICATION - A system includes an imager that images an object, which includes a marker that is visually obscured, a marker identifier that identifies markers in the image of the object, and an image processor that combines the image of the object and a visual representation for the identified marker into a combined image, wherein a presence of a visual representation for the marker included with the object in the combined image indicates the object is authentic. A method includes imaging an object that includes a visually obscured marker and generating an image of the object, identifying the marker in the image of the object, generating a combined image that includes the image of the object and a visual representation of the identified marker, presenting the combined image, wherein the object is authenticated as not counterfeit in response to the visual representation of the marker corresponding to a reference authentication marker for the object. | 12-29-2011 |
20110317008 | AIRPORT/AIRCRAFT SECURITY - A information processor combines an image of one or more predetermined materials of interest from an image from a full body scan of a subject with video of the subject and generates data including both the image of the one or more materials of interest and the video of the subject. A method includes obtaining a sub-portion of an image that includes a predetermined material of interest. The image is generated via a full body scan of a subject during airport screening utilizing non-ionizing radiation. The method further includes obtaining video of the subject captured while the subject is at the airport. The method further includes combining the sub-portion of the image and the video to generate video or an image of the subject clothed with the sub-portion of the image superimposed over the clothing. | 12-29-2011 |
20110306893 | FETAL MOVEMENT MONITOR - A monitoring system includes a physiologic monitoring device ( | 12-15-2011 |
20110296621 | SUBJECT SUPPORT APPARATUS - A subject support apparatus ( | 12-08-2011 |
20110266982 | MOTOR CONTROL - A system includes a power supply output sensor that senses an output level of a power supply during active motor control of a motor using the power supply and generates a signal indicative thereof. The motor regenerates energy and the power supply absorbs energy regenerated by the motor. The system also includes a motor controller that, in response to the signal satisfying a predetermined threshold, controls an electrical current supplied to the motor for active control of the motor based on a set of instructions that mitigate increases in the output level of the power supply from the absorption of the energy regenerated in the motor. | 11-03-2011 |
20110251498 | BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF - A physiological parameter determining device ( | 10-13-2011 |
20110232892 | MICRO CHANNEL DEVICE TEMPERATURE CONTROL - A micro channel device processing apparatus includes a heating/cooling chamber configured to receive at least a sub-portion of a micro channel device and a fluid control system that controls a flow of a heating/cooling fluid in the chamber. A method includes controlling a temperature of a sample carried by a micro channel device installed in a micro channel device processing apparatus via a heating/cooling chamber of the processing apparatus. A micro channel device processing apparatus includes a heating/cooling chamber configured to receive a micro channel device carrying a sample and means for controlling a temperature of the sample in the chamber. | 09-29-2011 |
20110227910 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL WORKSTATION FOR SECURITY AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS - A method of and a system for displaying volumetric data on a 2D or 3D display are provided. In particular, a method of highlighting objects using contours of selected objects on a 2D display and on a 3D stereoscopic display is provided. The contour highlighting method provides users an attention cue of highlighted objects while preserves the details of objects to be observed. The applications of the 3D display workstation for security luggage screening and for medical diagnosis and surgical planning are also provided. | 09-22-2011 |
20110220332 | MICRO CHANNEL DEVICE TEMPERATURE CONTROL - A micro channel device includes at least one micro channel and at least one heating/cooling channel. The at least one heating/cooling channel is in thermal communication with the at least one micro channel. A temperature of a heating/cooling fluid in the least one heating/cooling channel determines a temperature of a fluid in the at least one micro channel. | 09-15-2011 |
20110211666 | CT SCANNING SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MULTI-PIXEL X-RAY SOURCES - A CT scanning system may include a multi-pixel x-ray source, and a detector array. The multi-pixel x-ray source may have a plurality of pixels that are disposed along a z-axis, and that are sequentially activated so as to controllably emit x-rays in response to incident electrons. The detector array may have one or more rows of x-ray detectors that detect the x-rays that are emitted from the pixels and have traversed an object, and generate data for CT image reconstruction system. In third generation CT scanning systems, the number of detector rows may be reduced. Multi-pixel x-ray source implementation of saddle curve geometry may render a single rotation single organ scan feasible. Using a multi-pixel x-ray source in stationary CT scanning systems may allow x-ray beam design with a minimal coverage to satisfy mathematical requirements for reconstruction. | 09-01-2011 |
20110176663 | FOCAL SPOT POSITION DETERMINER - One or more systems and/or techniques are disclosed herein for determining the orientation of a focal spot of a radiation source based upon shadows that are imposed on channels of a detector array from an anti-scatter grid. The anti-scatter grid is comprised of one or more anti-scatter plates that are focused on a point other than an intended focal spot of the radiation source. Such anti-scatters plates cast shadows on the detector array (even when the focal spot is located at the intended focal spot). By measuring changes in the signals generated by channels of the detector array that detect the shadows, it may be determined how the orientation of the focal spot has changed throughout an examination or between a calibration scan and an examination scan, for example. | 07-21-2011 |
20110168667 | Anti-Reflective Surfaces And Methods For Making The Same - In an embodiment, a method of forming an anti-reflective surface includes providing conditions for a plasma, and exposing a surface of an organic-inorganic optical material to the plasma. A treated optical material formed thereby exhibits lower reflectivity relative to the material prior to the step of exposing, forming the anti-reflective surface. In an embodiment, a method of forming an anti-reflective surface includes depositing an etch mask on a surface of an optical material, providing plasma conditions for a plasma such that the plasma etches the optical material preferentially over the etch mask, and exposing the etch mask to the plasma using the plasma conditions to form a treated optical material having a plasma-affected zone. The optical material exhibits lower reflectivity relative to said optical material prior to the step of exposing, and forms the anti-reflective surface. | 07-14-2011 |
20110124946 | FLUID TRANSFER FOR RADIATION TREATMENT APPARATUS - Techniques and systems for supplying fluid to a rotating gantry portion of a radiation treatment apparatus are disclosed where a first batch fluid is supplied to the rotating gantry when the rotating gantry is stationary a first time, discontinuing the supply when the rotating gantry is rotating, and supplying a second batch of fluid when the rotating gantry is stationary a second time. A storage component on the rotating gantry allows supplied fluid to be stored in the rotating gantry and used to shape a radiation beam and/or cool an ionizing radiation source, for example, while the rotating gantry is rotating. The techniques and systems may also be utilized to discharge a first fluid from the rotating gantry and supply a second fluid to replace the first fluid. | 05-26-2011 |
20110096968 | EXTENSION OF THE FIELD OF VIEW OF A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF INTERFERING OBJECTS - A method and system for generating a field of view extension of a CT scan and minimizing the effect of interfering objects is described. The system is configured and the method carries out the steps of generating a full sinogram based upon CT scan data of a scanned object and any interfering objects within the scanning field; determining the location of any interfering objects within the CT data based on physical and geometrical properties of the interfering objects; generating an ideal sinogram of any interfering objects based on their location and physical properties; subtracting the ideal sinogram from the full sinogram; extending a sinogram free of any interfering objects; and adding the ideal sinogram of interfering objects to the extended sinogram of the scanned object. Speeding up the computation of the extended sinogram by creating a look-up table of the tunable parameter of the extension function. | 04-28-2011 |
20110091011 | MULTI-MODALITY VOLUMETRIC DATA ACQUISITION AND IMAGING - One or more systems and/or techniques are described for generating volumetric data from both radiographic and ultrasound examinations of an object, where the radiographic volumetric data and the ultrasound volumetric data are representative of a substantially same volumetric space of the object. This allows, for example, corresponding portions of the volumetric data and/or images resulting therefrom (e.g., indicative of a tumor) to be identified for comparison via the different modalities. Moreover, in one embodiment, a compression paddle of a mammography examination apparatus is configured to selectively receive an ultrasound component. | 04-21-2011 |
20110066040 | PHYSIOLOGIC PARAMETER MONITORING APPARATUS - A physiologic parameter monitor includes a parameter value determiner that determines a parameter value indicative of a response of a human or animal subject to fluid intake during fluid therapy. The parameter value determiner determines the parameter value based on a signal indicative of a non-invasively obtained state of the subject. The physiologic parameter monitor also includes a display that displays the parameter value in a human readable format. | 03-17-2011 |
20110066013 | PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER MONITORING APPARATUS - A tissue oximeter sensor includes a substrate with a non-zero finite depth and first and second major sides. At least a first material free region extends along the depth from one of the sides to the other of the two sides forming a first well in the substrate. One of the sides of the substrate is configured to be removeably affixed to a human or animal subject. The sensor also includes a first channel with first and second end portions. One of the end portions of the first channel is selectively positioned in the first well along the depth alternatively at one of a plurality of different depth positions. The first channel routes radiation at least one of from the first end portion to the second end portion or from the second end portion to the first end portion. | 03-17-2011 |
20110051891 | COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY EXAMINATION AND PARTICLE THERAPY TREATMENT - An operation room may comprise both an object scanning apparatus for examining an object using x-ray radiation and an irradiation component for treating an object using particle radiation. A support article upon which the object may reside during (both) the examination and treatment may be configured to rotate about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane through which x-ray radiation travels, may be configured to tilt with respect to the axis, and/or may be configured to yaw with respect to the axis. In this way, the relative orientation of the support article and the object remain substantially constant during the examination and treatment to facilitate treating a desired area of the object. | 03-03-2011 |
20100324404 | ICG/ECG MONITORING APPARATUS - An ICG/ECG electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first or second electrode senses both an ICG signal and an ECG voltage signal. A physiologic parameter monitoring apparatus includes a set of electrodes, including an electrode for sensing both an ICG voltage signal and an ECG voltage signal corresponding to a patient. The apparatus further includes an ICG monitor for processing the ICG voltage signal sensed by the electrode and an ECG monitor for processing the ECG voltage signal sensed by the same electrode. | 12-23-2010 |
20100183209 | HISTOGRAM-BASED COMPOUND OBJECT SEPARATION - Certain imaging systems, such as automatic explosives detection systems, employ techniques that utilize image processing, feature extraction and decision making steps to detect threats in images. Such techniques use segmentation as a first algorithmic step, which extracts data representing objects from image data. Some of the extracted objects are actually composed of multiple distinct physical objects. For these compound objects discrimination becomes difficult because computed object properties are less specific than properties computed for a single physical object. A technique is described which includes splitting such compound objects by separating the data of each component from the rest of the data and using properties of density histograms based on voxel distributions in both density and spatial domains. | 07-22-2010 |
20100172464 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR LOW COST IMPLEMENTATION OF DUAL ENERGY CT IMAGING - The disclosed CT scanner comprises at least one source of X-rays; a detector array comprising a plurality of detectors; and an X-ray filter mask arrangement disposed between the source of X-rays and detector array so as to modify the spectra of the X-rays transmitted from the source through the mask to at least some of the detectors so that the X-ray spectra detected by at least one set of detectors is different from the X-ray spectra detected by at least one other set of detectors. | 07-08-2010 |
20100166147 | MULTI-MODALITY IMAGE ACQUISITION - The techniques described herein provide a means for generating an x-ray image and ultrasound image depicting parallel planes of an object under examination and may be used in conjunctions with x-ray or ultrasound techniques known to those in the field (e.g., x-ray tomosynthesis, computed tomography ultrasound imaging, etc.). In one example, one or more x-ray images are spatially coincident to one or more ultrasound images and the images may be combined through spatial registration. It finds particular application to mammography examinations but may be used in other fields that use information from multiple modalities. | 07-01-2010 |
20100066340 | Non-Contact Rotary Power Transfer System - A power delivery system includes a rotary transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and configured to transfer power between stationary coupling elements on a stationary side and rotational coupling elements on a rotational side. The rotational coupling elements share a central axis with the stationary coupling elements, and are adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary coupling elements. The power delivery system includes an isolation transformer that drives the primary winding of the rotary transformer, and a plurality of power inverter stages whose outputs are adapted to be summed and coupled to the rotary transformer. A plurality of output power converters receive transmitted power from the rotary transformer. A plurality of control elements, disposed on the rotating side, are configured to close a feedback loop on desired and actual performance of the output power converters, and to control the power inverter stages. | 03-18-2010 |
20100022850 | TRANSDUCER ARRAY FOR SENSING PHYSIOLOGICAL INFORMATION - A physiologic parameter transducer array for a subject support includes at least one transducer configured for placement between the subject support and a subject being supported by the subject support. The at least one transducer senses an event indicative of a physiologic parameter of the subject that corresponds to the event. A signal processing device, in electrical communication with the at least one transducer, generates a signal indicative of the physiologic parameter. An identification component stores a unique identifier of the subject. The unique identifier associates the generated signal with the subject. A display component displays indicia indicative of the event. | 01-28-2010 |
20090232348 | Image Object Separation - Techniques and systems for segmenting one or more objects in a subject image resulting from subjecting one or more objects to imaging using an imaging apparatus are disclosed, such that limitations of image noise, object proximity, image intensity variations, shape complexity, and/or computational resources may be mitigated. Merely border edges of objects in a subject image can be generated, for example, by using edge detection and discarding interior edges. Geometric difference values of the identified boundaries of the objects in the subject image can be calculated. One or more transitions between objects can be identified by using the geometric difference values, for example, which may result in data that represents a location in the image of an object to be segmented. | 09-17-2009 |
20090051578 | Method and System for Correcting Switched Input A/D Converters - A system is described for correcting a switched input A/D converter circuit that performs a plurality of A/D conversions. The system includes an oversampling circuit, a switched input controller, separation circuitry, and a signal processing subsystem. The oversampling circuit is configured to convert one or more input analog signals into oversampled output signals. The switched input controller is configured to switch a separate calibration signal into the oversampling circuit, as a replacement for the input analog signal, for at least some of the A/D conversions. The separation circuitry is configured to separate the oversampled output signal from the calibration signal. The signal processing subsystem is configured to synchronously and separately process the oversampled output signal and the calibration signal so as to substantially reduce unwanted correlated response of the switched input A/D converter circuit. | 02-26-2009 |