Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for estimating the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) using image data collected in emergency situation, i.e. without following specific protocols. In particular, the invention discloses a method for assessing the risk of bone fractures using as one indicator a BMD of one or more bones. The BMD is calculated using a universal constant which provides a value of BMD having a certain error in respect to its true value. However this error does not substantially affect the assessment of the risk of fracture of one or more bones.

Abstract: The system and method provide ways to achieve vascular access, e.g., for chronic hemodialysis. The system includes a port which may be bonded to a vascular graft which is installed between an artery and vein. A movable seal occludes a lumen of the port which when deployed allows access to the blood flow, allowing hemodialysis. A stent may be employed with an extension that is part of the graft. A connector may lock on to the port to deploy the seal to make a connection between the patient and a dialyzer. A cap may cover the port and seal for sterility. Methods of using the system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of data to be processed in a visualization pipeline. The visualization pipeline includes data capture, data compression, data storage, data decompression, and data rendering including the use of a transfer function. The data is divided into blocks in the compression and the reduction is achieved by adaptively selecting a level-of-detail for each block in the step of decompression utilizing a significance measure based on the transfer function.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of using a linear path to transmit X-rays through, sequentially, an object, a scintillator, a lens and an imaging sensor is described. In a further embodiment, an X-ray scanner that uses an amorphous silicon detector plate to detect photons transmitted from a scintillator with lens or fiber coupling is described. In addition, a method for utilizing an amorphous silicon area detector to create digital radiographs of parts which are themselves larger than the active area of the amorphous silicon array is described.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for performing dialysis. The system provides needleless vascular access which reduces the repeated traumas of conventional dialysis by providing a vascular graft and port combination which interfaces with a specially-designed catheter system. The installed implant is low profile, small and stable, and saddles the vessel to secure the protruding surface tissue above. The stability of the port is maintained by features that encompass the vessel and the surrounding tissue. These features are enhanced by the catheter attachment, which also provides reduced trauma and provides convenient access to the implant for performance of dialysis functions.

Abstract: A method for reducing an amount of data to be processed in a visualization pipeline. The visualization pipeline includes data capture, data compression, data storage, data decompression, and data rendering including the use of a transfer function. The data is divided into blocks in the compression and the reduction is achieved by adaptively selecting a level-of-detail for each block in the step of decompression utilizing a significance measure based on the transfer function.

Abstract: A one-piece dental implant characterized by a threaded shaft having self-tapping cutting threads of variable thread pitch and optionally one or more flutes running longitudinally along at least a portion of the length of the dental implant and across a plurality of turns of the self-tapping cutting threads. The dental implant is useful to support both temporary and permanent prostheses as well as orthodontic appliances.

Abstract: A method of virtually producing a dental stent for placing one or more dental implants based on data derived from scanning a patient's mouth and a prosthesis to be installed or an impression of the patient's existing teeth. The virtual dental stent is converted to a usable dental stent, which is, thereafter, used to guide the placement of the one or more dental implants into the patient's jawbone. After the dental implants have been placed, a prosthesis can be mounted onto the dental implants.

Abstract: A method for reading images on a diagnostic workstation, wherein the method comprises the steps: a sequence of images is loaded into the workstation, a Dynamic Display Protocol (DDP) containing a set of rules included in a hanging protocol that automatically determines how the sequence of images is to be presented on at least one monitor for viewing the images is loaded into the workstation, a set of clinical applications is provided in a storage means, at least one of said clinical applications is configured as being a part of said hanging protocol, said Dynamic Display Protocol is checking if matching criterias for said hanging protocol are met by the sequence of images to be read and a clinical application being part of a hanging protocol which matching criterias are met by the sequence of images to be read is automatically started by said Dynamic Display Protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer program product for analysis of a source medical image data set in a medical imaging system, being operable to: identify a user identity; identify at least one role linked to the user identity; load a source medical image data set; allow the user to review the loaded source medical image data set; allow the user to, based on role privileges, interactively perform processing operations on the loaded source medical image data set; create a processing protocol; allow the user to interactively specify at least one medical image data set characteristic to be associated with a processing protocol associater; allow the user to interactively restrict which user(s) to be associated with a user access right of the processing protocol by specifying which role(s) or which user identity/identities to be associated with the user access right; allow the user to interactively further restrict the role privileges; store the processing protocol in a central unit, and, if the user is

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for measuring in a dynamic sequence of medical images of a moving body part. A reference point being fixed relative to an image geometry and at least one measurement point are defined in the moving body part in one image in the sequence of images. The reference point is then automatically indicated and the at least one measurement point is then automatically tracked in all of the images of the sequence. A length and a direction of at least one vector extending from the reference point to one of the at least one measurement points for each pair of reference point and one measurement point is automatically determined in all of the images of the sequence and at least one of a rate of change of the length and the direction of the at least one vector is automatically determined between selected images in the sequence of images.

Abstract: A liquid process tank that provides a quick dump feature includes a fixed bottom wall assembly and moveable tank side walls that contain liquid and also act as a quick dump valve for the liquid. The bottom wall assembly includes an acoustic transducer secured thereto. The tank side walls are secured to a plurality of linear actuators adapted for vertical movement. A seal is secured to the lower edge of the side wall assembly to impinge on a land surface that extends about the perimeter of the bottom wall assembly. The linear actuators are retracted to draw join the bottom and side wall assemblies to retain liquid, or activated in unison to drive the tank walls upwardly from the fixed bottom wall assembly, creating a bottom opening in the tank that quickly discharges all the liquid from the tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-piece dental implant having a threaded shaft which is tapered on one end and has a non-circular abutment on the other end, and a ball-shaped head mounted on said non-circular abutment. The inventive dental implants are advantageous in that they are of one-piece design, and, therefore, do not have multiple parts which can loosen over time. The present invention further relates to a keeper cap for use with the inventive dental implants, which is adapted to retain either O-ring-shaped inserts or plastic inserts. The inserts can be switched easily at any time without the need to remove the keeper cap from the denture or to form a new denture around new caps. The inventive dental implant and keeper cap make up a kit along with the O-ring-shaped inserts and the plastic inserts, which kit is useful in connection with the formation of fixed or removable prostheses.

Abstract: In a substrate bath that processes substrate wafers using megasonic energy, a tank that is provided with reflecting surfaces that direct the megasonic energy to those portions of the substrates that would otherwise be sonically shadowed by the cassette that supports the substrates. In one aspect, a pair of curved wall surfaces are formed within the tank, each extending from one side wall to the bottom wall in curvilinear fashion and oriented longitudinally, the paired curved wall surfaces being disposed in laterally spaced, enantiomorpic relationship. The curved surfaces are arranged so that a significant amount of the megasonic energy impinges at an angle less than the critical angle, so that the energy is reflected in a diverging field that intersects the substrates and strikes those portions of the substrates that are shadowed by the cassette structure. Thus the megasonic cleaning, (etching or processing of the substrate) process is improved significantly.

Abstract: A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.

Abstract: A cassette for supporting electrical component substrates in a megasonic processing bath includes a pair of end panels spaced apart longitudinally, a pair of side rails extending longitudinally along opposed sides of the substrate cassette, and at least one bottom support extending between lower portions of the end panels. The supports include a plurality of shallow channels extending laterally therein and spaced regularly therealong to receive edge portions of the substrates. The side rails and bottom supports of the cassette are all formed of plate components that are dimensioned to transmit the maximum amount of the megasonic energy projected into the processing bath, so that the components do not cause sound-shadowing of the substrates supported in the cassette. The side rails and bottom supports are formed of narrow plates having a thickness equal to an integer multiple (i.e., 1, 2, 3, etc.) or an even fractional (i.e., ½, ¼, etc.

Abstract: Peptides of the antigen Sm-D and their use, in particular for the diagnostics of the SLE. The invention relates to peptides of the antigen Sm-D, comprised of 35 to 45 amino acids, which form a conformation epitope and which are capable of binding autoantibodies, such as they occur in connection with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Particularly preferred is the peptide of 37 amino acids with the structure VEPKVKSKKREAVAGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGRGGPRR (SEQ ID NO:3) and its mutants and variants, respectively.

Abstract: A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting labels disposed on a moving web and stripping and retaining the stripped labels apart from the web, and removing the unstripped labels with the web. The invention includes moving the unstripped labels on the web over an edge substantially parallel to the trailing edge of the label, and subsequently moving and/or rotating the trailing edge with respect to the edge at a rate relatively faster than the web to effect a reliable separation of the label from the web.

Abstract: A filter assembly for elective use in conjunction with a surgical evacuation system is provided which includes a filter housing having a head portion and a body portion with a through passageway extending therebetween defining a filter receiving chamber. The head portion is connectable to an aspirator tip and the body portion is connectable to a flexible suction conduit. A filter element is disposed within the filter receiving chamber of the filter housing. The filter element includes a head member having a fluid flow passageway extending therethrough, a fluid impermeable base member spatially disposed from the head member and a fluid permeable body member disposed between the head member and the base member.