Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090321249 | Method of Hard Coating a Blade - A sputtering apparatus includes a chamber for containing a feed gas. An anode is positioned inside the chamber. A cathode assembly comprising target material is positioned adjacent to an anode inside the chamber. A magnet is positioned adjacent to cathode assembly. A platen that supports a substrate is positioned adjacent to the cathode assembly. An output of the power supply is electrically connected to the cathode assembly. The power supply generates a plurality of voltage pulse trains comprising at least a first and a second voltage pulse train. The first voltage pulse train generates a first discharge from the feed gas that causes sputtering of a first layer of target material having properties that are determined by at least one of a peak amplitude, a rise time, and a duration of pulses in the first voltage pulse train. The second voltage pulse train generates a second discharge from the feed gas that causes sputtering of a second layer of target material having properties that are determined by at least one of a peak amplitude, a rise time, and a duration of pulses in the second voltage pulse train. | 12-31-2009 |
20100101935 | Methods and Apparatus for Generating Strongly-Ionized Plasmas with Ionizational Instabilities - A strongly-ionized plasma generator includes a chamber for confining a feed gas. An anode is positioned inside the chamber. A cathode assembly is positioned adjacent to the anode inside the chamber. An output of a pulsed power supply is electrically connected between the anode and the cathode assembly. The pulsed power supply comprising solid state switches that are controlled by micropulses generated by drivers. At least one of a pulse width and a duty cycle of the micropulses is varied so that the power supply generates a multi-step voltage waveform at the output having a low-power stage including a peak voltage and a rise time that is sufficient to generate a plasma from the feed gas and a transient stage including a peak voltage and a rise time that is sufficient to generate a more strongly-ionized plasma. | 04-29-2010 |
20110133651 | Methods And Apparatus For Generating Strongly-Ionized Plasmas With Ionizational Instabilities - A plasma generator includes a chamber for confining a feed gas. An anode is positioned inside the chamber. A cathode assembly is positioned adjacent to the anode inside the chamber. A pulsed power supply comprising at least two solid state switches and having an output that is electrically connected between the anode and the cathode assembly generates voltage micropulses. A pulse width and a duty cycle of the voltage micropulses are generated using a voltage waveform comprising voltage oscillation having amplitudes and frequencies that generate a strongly ionized plasma. | 06-09-2011 |
20150315697 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SPUTTERING HARD COATINGS - A plasma generator includes a chamber for confining a feed gas. An anode is positioned inside the chamber. A cathode assembly is positioned adjacent to the anode inside the chamber. A pulsed power supply comprising at least two solid state switches and having an output that is electrically connected between the anode and the cathode assembly generates voltage micropulses. A pulse width and a duty cycle of the voltage micropulses are generated using a voltage waveform comprising voltage oscillation having amplitudes and frequencies that generate a strongly ionized plasma. | 11-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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 |
20110033118 | EDGE DETECTION - One or more techniques and/or systems for detecting edges in images of objects subjected to imaging using imaging apparatus are disclosed, such that the effect of image noise on the edge detection can be mitigated. Ratios of intensity values (e.g., signal values) for a subject region (e.g., a pixel) and respective adjacent regions are determined. An adaptive threshold value is determined for respective adjacent region pairs. The ratio value is compared to the adaptive threshold value for respective adjacent region pairs, to determine whether an edge is present between the respective adjacent region pairs. | 02-10-2011 |
20110085695 | IMAGE COMBINING - One or more techniques and/or systems for combining images of objects are disclosed where an image of a first object is to be inserted into an image of a second object in such a manner as to make the insertion substantially undetectable by a human observer of the combined image. An object generator generates a substantially artifact free image of a first object. An object locator orients the first object image according to a desired insertion point in a second object image. A forward projector converts the first object image into projection space data of the first object, and a combiner combines the first object projection space data with the second object projection space data. The combined projection space data is converted to image space data by a reconstructor, and the resulting combined image space data can be displayed on a monitor for human observation. | 04-14-2011 |
20110200167 | RADIATION MODULATION IN A SECURITY EXAMINATION APPARATUS - Radiation flux can be adjusted “on the fly” as an object ( | 08-18-2011 |
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 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140310190 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONCEPT DISCOVERY WITH ONLINE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENTS - Provided are systems and methods for referencing intent-based taxonomies to enable more natural approaches for users to specify problems to be solved, questions to be answered, and other content requests that can be delivered within online communities. Further embodiments include an active recruitment approach to ensure answers and interactions occur on a given case and/or question. The recruitment approach can be integrated with known or existing online communities to facilitate information exchange and generation. The recruitment approach can be configured to tap resources within an online community but also reach outside of the community to additional resources. Further, intent-based models of cases can be used across even language barriers to recruit across the largest knowledge base possible. Internationally accepted concepts can be used in conjunction with case definition/modeling and resulting case models can be translated through various languages. Such recruitment approaches can target individuals outside a community and across languages. | 10-16-2014 |
20140310311 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONCEPT DISCOVERY WITH ONLINE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENTS - Provided are systems and methods for referencing intent-based taxonomies to enable more natural approaches for users to specify problems to be solved, questions to be answered, and other content requests that can be delivered within online communities. In the medical setting, physicians and medical personnel are accustomed to provide medical information and ask questions of other physicians in the form of a narrative. Narrative medical information can be easy for a physician to define but difficult to process in an online community. The inability to classify such narratives can significantly affect the ability of the physician to obtain answers to his/her question and/or search for material in the community based on his/her question. Narrative statements can be analyzed automatically and standardized concepts returned from medical taxonomies to classify a narrative question. Standardized concepts can also be used to search and/or review material relevant to the question defined within a community. | 10-16-2014 |
20140310607 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONCEPT DISCOVERY WITH ONLINE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENTS - Provided are systems and methods for referencing intent-based taxonomies to enable more natural approaches for users to specify problems to be solved, questions to be answered, and other content requests that can be delivered within online communities. In the medical setting, physicians and medical personnel are accustomed to provide medical information and ask questions of other physicians in the form of a narrative which can be organized around medical cases. Intuitive user interfaces are provided that facilitate definition of intent during case generation and case searching. Linking UI displays and narrative data structures associated with intent information can enable definition and navigation of intent-based models of the cases. Intent-based models can reflect standardize concepts (e.g., medical diagnoses and medical concept ontologies) facilitating their navigation based on intent. Further, the intent-based models of cases can include additional close-ended selections in the UI to further interact with intent-based models of cases. | 10-16-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130060267 | CANNULA TIPS, TISSUE ATTACHMENT RINGS, AND METHODS OF DELIVERING AND USING THE SAME - A surgical cannula system. The surgical cannula system includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A tissue attachment ring, being configured to be coupled to a biological tissue, includes a lumen extending therethrough. A locking mechanism has a first locking state, in which the cannula is configured to move with respect to the tissue attachment ring, and a second locking state, in which movement of the cannula with respect to the tissue attachment ring is resisted. | 03-07-2013 |
20140364880 | CANNULA TIPS, TISSUE ATTACHMENT RINGS, AND METHODS OF DELIVERING AND USING THE SAME - A surgical cannula system. The surgical cannula system includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A tissue attachment ring, being configured to be coupled to a biological tissue, includes a lumen extending therethrough. A locking mechanism has a first locking state, in which the cannula is configured to move with respect to the tissue attachment ring, and a second locking state, in which movement of the cannula with respect to the tissue attachment ring is resisted. | 12-11-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090205644 | PNEUMOSTOMA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE - A pneumostoma management system for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management system includes a two-part pneumostoma management device and associated insertion and removal tools. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent and a chest mount for positioning and securing the vent into a pneumostoma. The pneumostoma vent includes a hydrophobic filter and/or a one-way valve. | 08-20-2009 |
20090205645 | PNEUMOSTOMA MANAGEMENT METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE - A method for maintaining the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. A pneumostoma management system includes a two-part pneumostoma management device and associated insertion and removal tools. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent and a chest mount for positioning and securing the vent into a pneumostoma. To use the system, the chest is first cleaned and the chest mount secured to the chest adjacent the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma vent is then inserted into the pneumostoma through an aperture in the chest mount until it is engaged and secured by a coupling of the chest mount. The pneumostoma vent may be replaced periodically such as daily. The chest mount may be changed less frequently such as weekly. | 08-20-2009 |
20090205647 | PNEUMOSTOMA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAVING A COSMETIC AND/OR PROTECTIVE COVER - A pneumostoma management system which includes a pneumostoma management device and a cover. The pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a hydrophobic filter and/or a one-way filter. The cover serves to protect the pneumostoma management device and/or provide a cosmetic skin to make the pneumostoma management device more acceptable to the patient and thereby encourage patient compliance with a pneumostoma treatment regimen. | 08-20-2009 |
20090205648 | PNEUMOSTOMA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH SECRETION MANAGEMENT FEATURES FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE - A flexible pneumostoma management device maintains the patency of a pneumostoma while controlling the flow of material through the pneumostoma. The pneumostoma management device includes a pneumostoma vent having a tube which enters the pneumostoma to allow gases to escape the lung, a flange and a filter/valve to control flow of materials through the tube. The flange is a thin flexible patch which conforms and attaches to the chest of the patient. The flange secures the tube in position in the pneumostoma. The device has features to control secretions from the pneumostoma. The secretion management features include, ridges, pores, absorbent materials, and combinations thereof. | 08-20-2009 |