Abstract: An ultra-wideband (UWB) communications system combines the techniques of a transmitted reference (TR) and a multiple access scheme called delay hopping (DH). Combining these two techniques using UWB signaling using a continuous noise transmitted waveform avoids the synchronization difficulties associated with conventional approaches. This TR technique is combined with the DH multiple access technique to create a UWB communications scheme that has a greater multiple access capacity than does the UWB TR technique by itself.

Abstract: A method for processing medical images for use in the detection and diagnosis of disease comprises classifying regions of interest within the medical images based on a hierarchy of anatomical models and signal models of signal information of an image acquisition device used to acquire the medical images. The anatomical models are derived to be representative of anatomical information indicative of a given disease. A computer-aided system for use in the diagnosis and detection of disease comprises an image acquisition device for acquiring a plurality of image data sets and a processor adapted to process the image data sets. The processor is adapted to classify selected tissue types within the image data sets based on a hierarchy of signal and anatomical models and the processor is further adapted to differentiate anatomical context of the classified tissue types for use in the diagnosis and detection of disease.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer, the transducer elements are electrically connected to the pulsers via throughholes in an acoustic backing layer. Electrically conductive material is deposited on the front face of the acoustic backing layer and later diced to form conductive pads, and on the walls of the throughholes or vias to form conductive traces having exposed ends that will be connected later to a printed circuit. The holes in the acoustic backing layer are then filled with acoustic attenuative material. The signal electrodes on the rear faces of the transducer elements are electrically connected to the printed circuit via the conductive pads and the conductive traces of the acoustic backing layer. A common ground connection is disposed between the front faces of the transducer elements and the acoustic impedance matching layer, which ground connection exits the transducer pallet from the side.

Abstract: A control system comprising a driver circuit for magnetic systems is provided. The driver circuit is coupled to a magnetic system and is configured for isolating control signals from electromagnetic interference. The control signals are configured for controlling a plurality of switching elements in the magnetic system. The driver circuit and the magnetic system are located in shielded environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems for determining matter properties are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image from an extended volume of interest within a subject using a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system are provided. The method comprises translating the volume using a positioning device along an axis of the MRI system. A plurality of MR signals are detected from at least one radiofrequency (RF) coil array for a given field-of-view within the MRI system as the positioning device is translated. The plurality of MR signals are sent to a plurality of receivers wherein the receivers are each adapted to adjust their respective center frequencies at a rate commensurate with a rate of translation of the positioning device. A plurality of respective sub-images corresponding to the plurality MR signals for each of the plurality of receivers are combined to form a composite image of the volume of interest.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for acquiring images using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method comprises the step of applying a plurality of steady-state free precession (SSFP) radio-frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a selected pattern of varying amplitudes and phases such that signals corresponding to the pattern of pulses are substantially immune to magnetic field inhomogeneity of the MRI system. The pulses have substantially equal spacing between all neighboring pulses and between successive groups of pulses. The method further comprises the step of reading a plurality of signals corresponding to the pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for segmenting three-dimensional (3D) medical images containing a region of interest is provided that identifies a first set of seed points within the region of interest and a second set of seed points outside the region of interest. A first sphere is constructed within the region of interest. Voxels contained within the medical image are classified using a spatial constrained fuzzy clustering algorithm. A plurality of second spheres is generated. Ones of the plurality of second spheres are accepted that satisfy the homogeneity function threshold as defined by the spatial constricted fuzzy clustering algorithm. A three-dimensional area is grown that defines the region of interest. The region of interest defined by the three-dimensional area is displayed.

Abstract: A mechanism and a method for framing a low-distortion flexible dielectric substrate during subsequent flex circuit processing. The processing method comprising the following steps: making a flexible dielectric substrate having an outer periphery; joining a continuous portion of the flexible dielectric substrate near the outer periphery to a rigid open frame, the flexible dielectric substrate being in a state other than a state of substantially uniform tension as a result of the joinder; causing the joined flexible dielectric substrate to undergo a change to the state of substantially uniform tension; and printing an electrical conductor on the flexible dielectric substrate while the flexible dielectric substrate is joined to the frame and in the state of substantially uniform tension. The frame is in the shape of a polygon (e.g., a rectangle) with rounded vertices.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device for imaging a volume is provided with at least one main magnet for generating a magnetic field, and at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one main magnet to image the volume. The magnetic fields generated by the at least one gradient coil are substantially unshielded.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a reconstruction of a tomographic dataset by filtering and combining the projection images, followed by a backprojection step. In one embodiment, the method can yield a reconstruction equivalent to an additive ART reconstruction, while in another embodiment the method represents a filtered back-projection type reconstruction. The computations do not require an iterative backprojection/re-projection step.

Abstract: A method and system of processing raw images for display. First, a processor corrects the raw images with respect to an offset image to generate an offset corrected image. Next, a level of the offset corrected image is adjusted with respect to a gain adjust by employing saturation arithmetic to clip the level of the offset corrected image to generate a gain corrected image. Next, a window of the gain corrected image is adjusted with respect to a reference window to generate an output image. Next, the output image is packed into a register for display.

Abstract: A method of quantitative positron emission analysis includes accounting for the loss of positron-electron annihilation events and quantitative inaccuracies in positron emission assays.

Abstract: A non-contact measurement system employing a non-contact optical sensor and an edge detection sensor with a positioning system for moving the sensors over the surface and edges of a part (A) held in a predetermined, fixed position. The part is aligned in a co-ordinate system for obtaining accurate measurements of the part's surface (S) and edges (E). For parts smaller than the optical sensor's field of view, the part is rotated about an axis so both sides of the part are viewed by the sensor. If required, the part can also be shifted linearly along a horizontal axis (X) parallel to the sensor. For parts larger in size than the sensor's field of view, the part is moved along a vertical axis (Y) in predetermined segments so all of the part is exposed to viewing by the sensor.

Abstract: A method for acquiring image data from a subject during a scan with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system comprising the steps of acquiring a reference data set of a region of interest, acquiring a plurality of free-breathing data sets, and, selectively processing the plurality of free-breathing data sets in comparison with the reference data set to be used in creating an image of the region of interest. The reference data set comprises breath-held data set or, alternatively, free-breathing data.

Abstract: A method and system for segmenting three-dimensional (3D) medical images containing an object of interest are provided. The method comprises generating a plurality of successive layers of fixed radius spheres about a circumference of a sphere containing at least one seed point placed within the object of interest when a plurality of respective voxels contained within the spheres exceed a selected threshold. The generation of the layers is repeated until no further voxels contained within an outer surface of each respective layer exceed the selected threshold or a stop seed point is encountered. The layers form a segmented representation of the object of interest.

Abstract: A flat panel x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a cathode assembly including a plurality of emitter elements. An anode substrate is included having a substrate upper surface facing the plurality of emitter elements and a substrate lower surface. The substrate upper surface is positioned parallel to the plurality of emitter elements. A plurality of target wells are formed in the substrate upper surface. Each of the plurality of target wells comprises a first angled side surface positioned at an acute angle relative to the substrate upper surface. A plurality of first target elements is applied to each to one of the first angled side surfaces. The first target elements generate x-rays in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of emitter elements in response to electrons received from one of the plurality of emitter elements.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates received radioscopic image data to host memory through a computer communication bus. Image data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The image data is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to host memory.

Abstract: An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object comprises an x-ray source, motion controller, an x-ray detector and a processing unit. The x-ray source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the object and continuously moves along a linear path relative to the object. The x-ray source transmits x-ray radiation through the region of the object at a plurality of predetermined locations. The motion controller is coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moves the x-ray source along the path relative to the object. The x-ray source minimizes vibration in the imaging system due to continuous movement. The x-ray detector is positioned at a predetermined distance from the x-ray source and detects the x-ray radiation transmitted through the region of the object, thus acquiring x-ray image data representative of the region of the object.

Abstract: A method of determining the leading edge (E) of a turbine blade or airfoil (P). The object is mounted in a desired position and backlit using a light source (S). The object and its leading edge are viewed using one or more cameras (I) which are positioned on the opposite side of the part. When illuminated, the object blocks a portion of the light from the source and the occluded portion of the light defines an outline (T) of the object including its leading edge. An image of the object is obtained and the part is then moved to other positions at which additional images are obtained. The images are processed using a space carving algorithm to ascertain the contour of the leading edge of the object. This allows accurate measurements of the leading edge to be made for using in determining acceptability of the part.