Abstract: A scanner (200) includes a radiation source (202) that emits radiation that traverses a scanning region and a detector array (204), including a line of detectors (302), that detects radiation traversing the scanning region, wherein the radiation source and the detector array are located on opposing sides of the scanning region. The scanner further includes a mover (208) configured to move an object through the scanning region when scanning the object. The line of detectors (302) is configured to move in a plane, which is substantially parallel to the scanning region, in coordination with the mover moving the object, thereby creating a plane of detection for scanning the object.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are described herein for handling an examination surface for radiology or other operations. That is, an examination surface support structure can be integrally coupled with a support component of a radiology apparatus so that an examination surface and an object optionally placed thereon are supported during an operation. An examination surface transport component can be docked with an examination surface docking component that is operably coupled with the examination surface support structure so that the examination surface can be exchanged between the transport component and the radiology apparatus. An examination surface transit component that is operably coupled with the examination surface support structure can engage the examination surface in order to move the examination surface into and out of an operation region of the apparatus, such as during a scanning or dosage operation.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for a detector array having an effective size that is larger than its actual size of its elements, thus reducing costs by reducing materials required. In one embodiment, one or more channels of the detector array are removed (e.g., and filled with a radiation absorbing material) to create what may be referred to as a sparse array. In another embodiment, one or more channels of a detector array comprise a detection portion and a dead space (e.g., filled with a radiation absorbing material). In yet another embodiment, one or more channels of a detector array comprise light focusing mechanisms configured to focus light from a scintillator portion of an indirect conversion detector array to a photodetector portion of the detector array, where a detection surface area of the photodetector is less than a detection surface area of the scintillator.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A sample processing system (100) includes a sample carrier support (106) configured to concurrently supports multiple sample carriers (402) in series, each sample carrier carrying a respective sample (404) to be processed. The apparatus also includes a plurality of processing stations (102) located at different positions along the sample carry support, each processing station configured to perform a different processing act of a plurality of processing acts to be performed on each sample. The apparatus further includes a support mover (108) that moves the sample support and hence the sample carriers sequentially from processing station to processing station for processing.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are described herein for handling an examination surface for radiology or other operations. That is, an examination surface support structure can be integrally coupled with a support component of a radiology apparatus so that an examination surface and an object optionally placed thereon are supported during an operation. An examination surface transport component can be docked with an examination surface docking component that is operably coupled with the examination surface support structure so that the examination surface can be exchanged between the transport component and the radiology apparatus. An examination surface transit component that is operably coupled with the examination surface support structure can engage the examination surface in order to move the examination surface into and out of an operation region of the apparatus, such as during a scanning or dosage operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An x-ray detector assembly includes a first substrate and a second substrate. An array of photodetectors, which have coplanar contacts, are disposed on the top surface of the first substrate. The x-ray detector assembly further includes a plurality of x-ray scintillator elements arranged in an array. The photodetectors are aligned so as to match the array of x-ray scintillator elements. The second substrate is fused to the bottom surface of the first substrate. The second substrate provides on its distal side a planar connectivity pattern matched to electronics of a signal acquisition system. One or more through-hole connections traverse both substrates, and are configured to couple the contacts of the photodetectors from the top surface of the first substrate to the connectivity pattern on the distal side of the second substrate.

Abstract: An x-ray detector assembly includes a first substrate and a second substrate. An array of photodetectors, which have coplanar contacts, are disposed on the top surface of the first substrate. The x-ray detector assembly further includes a plurality of x-ray scintillator elements arranged in an array. The photodetectors are aligned so as to match the array of x-ray scintillator elements. The second substrate is fused to the bottom surface of the first substrate. The second substrate provides on its distal side a planar connectivity pattern matched to electronics of a signal acquisition system. One or more through-hole connections traverse both substrates, and are configured to couple the contacts of the photodetectors from the top surface of the first substrate to the connectivity pattern on the distal side of the second substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an integrated processing and control system which eliminates many of the redundant functions in prior art systems. The MRI system is installed in a suite that consists essentially of a shielded room and a control room. The MRI scanner and patient table are located in the shielded room and the integrated processing and control system is located in the control room. Components of integrated processing and control system can be mounted to a wall, common to the shielded room and the control room, whereby at least the portion of the wall to which the components are mounted can function as a heat sink for the components of the integrated processing and control system generating heat. The heat sink has an effective thermal mass at least one order of magnitude greater than the combined thermal mass of the components attached to the wall. The thermal mass can be a passive system or an active system.