Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound imaging system in which data from an ultrasonic transducer array is digitized and processed in a pipeline, the latter having means to divert/extract data from the pipeline and reintroduce it into the pipeline to enable images to be displayed retrospectively.

Abstract: A method of overcoming the ring down problem comprises the steps of generating a reference scan and updating it on the basis of a long term running average and then subtracting that running average from the current A-scan to remove the ring down.

Abstract: An ultrasound system comprising a transducer array and means for energizing each element, or batches of elements, of the array in turn to generate an ultra sound pulse, means for processing an echo pulse received by each transducer, and control means for controlling the order in which a transducer or transducers are energized and the order in which a transducer or transducers receive an echo pulse, characterized in that the echoes resulting from the transmission of an ultrasonic pulse from any one transducer element are received by at least one other transducer element.

Abstract: A catheter having an ultrasonic transducer array at its distal end is constructed to overcome the "ringdown" problem by having a conically shaped reflecting interface space from an ultrasonic transducer array in such a way that the "dead space" is contained wholly within the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter (1a, 1b) is provided with an ultrasonic transducer array at its tip (3), the transducer array having been manufactured from an annulus of piezoelectric material (10) by making longitudinal mutually parallel slots (18) in the material.

Abstract: A beating assembly for a submersible motor/propeller unit for a water vehicle consists of a radial bearing assembly and a thrust bearing assembly associated with a propeller and an axle. The radial and thrust bearing assemblies are comprised of bearing components, preferably made of a hard material to provide "hard-on-hard" bearing surfaces, and a resilient backing means, preferably rubber, positioned behind the stationary bearing component. The "hard-on-hard" bearing surfaces increase the load capacity and operating life of the bearings, and the resilient backing means allows the propeller to be displaced under high impact shock loads and to transfer the shock loads to shock snubber locations between the rotor and the stator. The combination of "hard-on-hard" bearings with the resilient backing means provides control of the centering of the propeller on the shaft and longer operating life for the propeller unit, as well as increased capability to survive high shock loads.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus using a transverse magnet system (29) and having a patient handling arrangement (31, 33) which allows transport of a patient into the magnet system by first moving the patient in a direction (A) at right angles to the head-to-toe axis (B) of the patient. The patient's position in the magnet system may then be adjusted by movement in the head-to-toe axis direction. The area required to accommodate the apparatus is reduced compared with apparatus wherein patient transport is effected solely in the patient's head-to-toe axis direction.

Abstract: A coil (17) for use as a surface r.f. coil in magnetic resonance apparatus comprising a conductor (25) wound helically to form a coil of overall laminar form with the parts of the conductor on one main face (29) more closely spaced to one another than are the parts of the conductor on the other main face (31). The coil is used to induce or detect an r.f. field locally in a body under investigation by positioning it with the main face having the more closely spaced conductor parts adjacent the body. The closer spacing improves coupling to the body while allowing the coil to be thinner, and therefore less bulky, than a coil of comparable performance with the same conductor part spacing on both main faces.

Abstract: A wire sinker and lure support device includes a pair of trailing wire legs with forward ends and free trailing ends. The forward ends are connected to each other and to an upstanding leg which has a loop for attaching a fishing line and a lure leader. The trailing legs are aligned in parallel and a bored sinker is slipped over the trailing legs to the connection of the forward ends. The trailing leg portions are then spread into a V-shaped support base which holds the sinker on the device. The support base engages the bottom when the device is in operation and maintains the upstanding portion off the bottom, so that a lure on the leader is off the bottom.

Abstract: A liquid metal pump bearing support comprises a series of tangentially oriented spokes that connect the bearing cylinder to the pump internals structure. The spokes may be arranged in a plurality of planes extending from the bearing cylinder to the pump internals with the spokes in one plane being arranged alternately with those in the next plane. The bearing support structure provides the pump with sufficient lateral support for the bearing structure together with the capability of accommodating differential thermal expansion without adversely affecting pump performance.

Abstract: A gravity assisted anti-reverse rotation device for preventing reverse rotation of pumps and the like.A horizontally mounted pawl is disposed to mesh with a fixed ratchet preventing reverse rotation when the pawl is advanced into intercourse with the ratchet by a vertically mounted lever having a lumped mass. Gravitation action on the lumped mass urges the pawl into mesh with the ratchet, while centrifugal force on the lumped mass during forward, allowed rotation retracts the pawl away from the ratchet.

Abstract: A fishing device presents lures or bait just off the bottom of a stream, lake, or river. The device includes a sinker having a streamlined body, an L-shaped wire, and a pair of trailing legs. The L-shaped wire has a first attachment loop at the top end of the upper leg for attaching a fishing hook assembly, and a second attachment loop at junction of the upper and lower legs for attaching a fishing line. The lower end of the L-shaped wire is embedded in the sinker. The trailing legs have their front ends embedded in the body of the sinker and extend rearwardly out of the rear end of the sinker to form a V pattern. The tail wires assist in keeping the device upright when trolling, casting, or even when stopped, and propel the device out of rocks and crevices.