Abstract: A cryogenic cylinder including authenticating features and an apparatus recognizing the features and facilitation the cylinder use. The authenticating features prevent use of an unauthorized cryogenic cylinders. The cylinder also includes a number of mechanical features preventing repeat filling of the cylinder by cryogenic fluid or reuse of the cylinder once empty.

Abstract: A cryogenic cylinder including authenticating features and an apparatus recognizing the features and facilitation the cylinder use. The authenticating features prevent use of an unauthorized cryogenic cylinders. The cylinder also includes a number of mechanical features preventing repeat filling of the cylinder by cryogenic fluid or reuse of the cylinder once empty.

Abstract: A self calibrating irradiation system is provided. The system includes sources for providing a calibration beam and a radiation beam, one or more detectors and a processor. A method of calibrating an irradiation system is also provided. The method includes measuring the energy of a calibration beam and periodically updating a transmission value of the laser system based on a calibration factor and the energy of the calibration beam.

Abstract: A self calibrating irradiation system is provided. The system includes sources for providing a calibration beam and a radiation beam, one or more detectors and a processor. A method of calibrating an irradiation system is also provided. The method includes measuring the energy of a calibration beam and periodically updating a transmission value of the laser system based on a calibration factor and the energy of the calibration beam.

Abstract: One or more implementations are described herein for improved instrument tracking. In a surgical navigation system, one implementation stores a plan for an image guided procedure, before conducting the procedure. This plan includes a path to be traversed by a medical instrument during the procedure. An image of the patient's anatomy displayed with a superimposed a pictorial representation of the path on the image. A transpoder coupled to the medical instrument and emits a signal while inside the patient's body. A position and/or orientation of the transponder (and the instrument) is determined based, at least in part, upon the received transponder signal.

Abstract: A system for navigating and guiding a surgical instrument during a surgical procedure. A transmitter is positioned near a patient's anatomy. A receiver is attached to the surgical instrument. The position of the surgical instrument is tracked using the transmitter and receiver. A processing unit determines the location of the surgical instrument relative to the patient's anatomy and produces images with a pictorial representation of the surgical instrument and the patient's anatomy. The images are displayed on a display. A surgeon can view the images on the display and guide the surgical instrument into position inside the patient. The surgical instrument can be guided inside a patient without continuously producing real time x-ray exposures. Positions of the surgical instrument can be saved and displayed on the display along with the pictorial representation of the surgical instrument in its current position.

Abstract: A system and method for sensor integration includes a medical device, a transmitter attached to the medical device, and a receiver. The medical device can include a tracking point. The transmitter can be connected to the medical device to minimize a distance between the tracking point and the transmitter. The transmitter can transmit a position signal. The receiver can receive the position signal. The signal may be employed to determine at least one of a position and orientation of the transmitter relative to the receiver. The transmitter may include electronic circuitry capable of measuring additional telemetry information and transmitting the telemetry in a telemetry signal. The transmitter may also transmit an identity signal.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding tracking technology in a medical table is disclosed. A plurality of table sensors is attached to a medical table to form an array. An instrument sensor is attached to an instrument. At least one of the table sensors and the instrument sensor generates at least one magnetic dipole field. The instrument sensor is moved relative to the array while at least one of the table sensors and the instrument sensor measures at least one vector component of the field. The measured vector component(s) are communicated to tracker electronics that determine at least one of a position and orientation of the instrument sensor relative to the array.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved registration of image and navigation references used in image-guided operations. Certain embodiments of the system include an image acquisition device for obtaining at least one image of an object, a first calibration fixture positioned in relation to the image acquisition device, and a second calibration fixture positioned in relation to the object. The position data from first calibration fixture is used to form a characterization of the image acquisition device, which is corrected by position data from the second calibration fixture. In an embodiment, a first calibration fixture is affixed to a C-arm camera and a smaller second calibration fixture is affixed to a patient. Data from the first and second calibration fixtures is used with tracking data to calibrate the image acquisition data and register reference points in image and navigation reference frames.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved tracking of an internal object, such as an implant or part of the anatomy, during an image-guided operation. In an embodiment, the method may include obtaining a plurality of fiducials for an internal object from a plurality of projection views, obtaining a plurality of measurements for the internal object using the plurality of fiducials, forming a three-dimensional model of the internal object using the plurality of measurements from a plurality of projection views for use in tracking the internal object, and performing an image-guided operation using an image data set and a three-dimensional representation of the internal object. The fiducials may be indentations, curves, grooves and/or identifying features in the internal object. In an embodiment, the representation of the internal object is compared to a computer-generated model of the internal object.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for calibrating an instrument for an image-guided operation. The method includes placing a plurality of fiducials on an instrument, obtaining a plurality of measurements for the instrument using the plurality of fiducials, determining a representation of the instrument in a reference coordinate system using the plurality of measurements for use in tracking the instrument, and performing an image-guided operation using an image data set and representation of the instrument. The representation may be a closed form registration for the instrument. The measurements for the instrument may be obtained using a plurality of fiducials and a sensor. The fiducials may be indentations and/or grooves in the instrument. In an embodiment, the representation of the instrument is dynamically updated during an image-guided operation. In an embodiment, the representation of the instrument is compared to a computer-generated model of the instrument.

Abstract: There is provided a hand held cursor controller system for use particularly with interactive television and computer presentation graphics. The system uses a hand held device with infrared light emitting diodes which transmits to a detector attached to a processor. The information from the processor is transmitted to a television or video cassette recorder. The system allows for the positioning of a cursor on a television screen with the only input of the user being the aiming of the controller. It includes push-button activation and provides for the transmission of the usual controller codes.

Abstract: A presence detector includes an optical emitter for emitting optical radiation, an optical detector for detecting a presence of an object based on receiving the optical radiation, and a microcontroller for controlling the optical emitter and processing the optical detector output, such that a range adjustment and range hysteresis based on the object are provided by software in the microcontroller.

Abstract: Assistive motion data processing and/or button data processing is performed in an adapter on user inputted variable data produced by a pointing device prior to communication to a computer. This processing may include one or more of processing to filter coordinate deviations from a desired path caused by unintended movements of the pointing device; removal of unintentional rapid button transitions of the pointing device; look-back processing to correct for unintentional pointer coordinate motion induced by operation of buttons on the pointing device; and detection of button double-clicks using relaxed requirements on motion and timing. The adapter's processing is transparent to the computer. Provision for user input of selected parameters is provided, as well as switching to allow for user deactivation of the adapter for conventional use of the pointing device.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a wireless stylus that incorporates, for example, an infrared emitter for communicating with a receiver associated with a computer. The stylus is provided with push-buttons near its tip that can be actuated by the user during the course of pointing the stylus at a touch screen location. Accordingly, by the combined actuation of the touch screen and a concurrent actuation of one or more of the push buttons, a mouse input to the computer is accomplished.

Abstract: A presence detector includes an optical emitter for emitting optical radiation, an optical detector for detecting a presence of an object based on receiving the optical radiation, and a microcontroller for controlling the optical emitter and processing the optical detector output, such that a range adjustment and range hysteresis based on the object are provided by software in the microcontroller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a position detecting function with a high sensitivity and a high resolution. The position detecting function comprises a position detecting electrically conductive film on a polarizer or a color filter glass substrate of the liquid crystal display device. The present invention also can suppress the undesired generation of an air gap between the polarizer and color filter glass substrate by using a polarizer that is smaller in size relative to the position detecting electrically conductive film.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a liquid crystal display device with a signal layer integrated onto a substrate. Circuitry derives touch position based upon response to signals applied to the signal layer. At least one resistor is integrated onto the substrate. The resistor is coupled between the signal layer and the circuitry. The resistor is formed in conjunction with the signal layer. Preferably, the resistor is part of a resistor network for linearizing resistance of the signal layer in a vertical direction and horizontal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides for touch input functionality in a liquid crystal display having a plurality of cells each comprising a first substrate having a common electrode integrated thereon, a second substrate having a pixel electrode integrated thereon, and liquid crystal material disposed between the common electrode and pixel electrode. A first conductive layer (signal layer) and second conductive layer (guard plane layer) are integrated onto the first substrate and disposed between the first substrate and the common electrode. Contact position of a touch input device with the first substrate is determined by applying a first signal to the signal layer. A second signal is applied to the guard plane layer to thereby lower capacitive coupling between the signal layer and the common electrode. The second signal may be generated by scaling amplitude and/or phase shifting the first signal. Response to the first signal is measured to determine contact position of the touch input device.

Abstract: A computer system and method determines the force and/or torque applied during the image acquisition stage of a biometric characteristic. Images with very high or very low pressure or high shear torque are rejected and user/operator is notified to re-acquire the image. Alternatively, the application of force and torque by the subject is restricted mechanically so that the images are acquired while the force and/or torque are within acceptable ranges.