Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a localized heating are provided, the method comprising: transmitting a spatially localized or shaped electromagnetic field via a plurality of coils to a subject and generating magnetic resonance signals; performing magnetic resonance imaging based on the magnetic resonance signals to generate an image of a region of interest of the subject; and controlling the plurality of the same imaging coils to radiate radio frequency (rf) energy to generate the localized heating on a region of interest. The invention provide a more efficient manner for generating localized heating and means for verifying the heating pattern without the need to measure temperature rises in the patient. This is useful to check the localization prior to the application of hyperthermia.

Abstract: A micro pin hybrid interconnect array includes a crystal anode array and a ceramic substrate. The array and substrate are joined together using an interconnect geometry having a large aspect ratio of height to width. The joint affixing the interconnect to the crystal anode array is devoid of solder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an electron beam manipulation coil for an x-ray generation system includes the use of a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first low voltage source, a second low voltage source, and a first switching device coupled in series with the first low voltage source and configured to create a first current path with the first low voltage source when in a closed position. The control circuit also includes a second switching device coupled in series with the second low voltage source and configured to create a second current path with the second low voltage source when in a closed position and a capacitor coupled in parallel with an electron beam manipulation coil and positioned along the first and second current paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a PET image of a tissue using a PET scanner that includes scintillation crystals and detectors. A first crystal group including a first subset of crystals is formed, and a second crystal group including a second subset of the crystals is formed. The crystals in the first crystal group are different from crystals in the second crystal group A first beam striking one or more crystals of the first crystal group is converted to a first electrical signal, while a second beam striking one or more crystals of the second crystal group is converted to a second electrical signal, wherein the second beam is scattered from the first beam. The second electrical signal is corrected using a correction factor derived from at least one of a first and second timing relationships to compensate for energy in the second signal scattered from the first signal. An image of the tissue is created using the corrected second electrical signal.

Abstract: A method for automatic image optimization in ultrasound imaging of an object is provided. The method includes transmitting a first ultrasound signal into the object, wherein the signal has a plurality of first signal parameters. The method also includes receiving a first set of electrical signals representing reflections of the first ultrasound signals from the object and processing the first set of electrical signals into a first image. The method evaluates an image quality cost function for the first image to produce a first image quality metric and determines a second plurality of signal parameters based upon the first image quality metric. Similarly, the method includes transmitting a second ultrasound signal into the object, wherein the signal has the second plurality of signal parameters and receiving a second set of electrical signals representing reflections of the second ultrasound signal from the object and processing the second set of electrical signals into a second image.

Abstract: A wireless patient monitoring system forms a Network Around a Patient (NAP) and includes sensor nodes configured to acquire patient data from a patient. A gateway device is in bi-directional wireless communication with the sensor nodes for a plurality of defined communication frames. The gateway device is configured to transmit a beacon message to the sensor nodes at each of a plurality of frequencies. The sensor nodes are further configured to receive the beacon message from the gateway device and transmit the acquired patient data to the gateway device at each of the plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: An event time stamping system comprising a current source, an integrator comprising an input and an output, and configured to output a voltage proportional to the length of time the current source is coupled to the input, and one or more switches configured to couple the current source to the input of the integrator upon receipt of an event signal and configured to de-couple the current source from the input of the integrator upon receipt of a control trigger. The system further comprises a lock-out signal generator configured to generate a lock-out signal, and a controller coupled to the one or more switches, wherein the controller is configured to generate the control trigger based on the lock-out signal to ensure a minimum integration time.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is provided including providing at least one magnet positioned between a keeper device and a yoke, the keeper device being positioned at a pole region of the at least one magnet, positioning at least one pole device at the pole region of the at least one magnet, and removing the keeper device from the pole region to allow the at least one pole device to be positioned at the pole region of the at least one magnet.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a network and detecting network vulnerabilities is provided. A communication associated with one or more programs is issued to one or more devices in a network and the response from the devices is detected and analyzed. Based on the analysis, a device response is identified as a threat response if it represents at least an alert, an unexpected response or a response time-out indicating that the device did not response to the communication. The vulnerability of the network is determined based on the threat responses of the devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for correcting magnetic resonance temperature measurements is disclosed. In one aspect, the method identifies monitoring regions of interest outside a therapeutic region of interest. Next, a pulse sequence sensitive to changes in T1 and proton density is used to measure the temperature changes in these regions. Next, the PRFS is measured in these same regions. The PRFS in these regions will be caused both by the desired shift from temperature change, and the undesired shift from background magnetic field changes. Using the measured temperature changes from the T1-method, the component of the PRFS due to actual temperature changes is subtracted from the PRFS method, leaving only the component caused by the unwanted magnetic field changes. This analysis is performed separately for each region. At the end of this step, one has measured the change in background magnetic field within each region.