Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving different types of signal formats from different ultrasound transducers are provided. A base unit of an ultrasound system includes a connector and receiver circuit for connecting with one of multiple different types of transducers. For example, a conventional transducer providing analog information associated with a single element on one receive channel is connected with the connector and receiver circuit. Alternatively, a transducer outputting time division multiplex or other multiplex information representing multiple transducer elements is connected with the connector and receiver circuit. The receiver circuit processes the received information differently depending on the data format. For example, the preamplifier impedance or gain is different for single element signals versus time division multiplex signals. As another example, a low pass filter bandwidth is larger for time division multiplex signals than for signals representing a single element.

Abstract: Methods and systems for isolating transmit and receive circuitry at an ultrasound transducer element are provided. Separate electrodes or electrodes on opposite sides of a transducer element are connected to the separate transmit and receive paths or channels. Instead of high voltage transmit and receive switching, the transducer element isolates the transmit channel from the receive channel. The transmit channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at one electrode during receive processing, such as a switch operable to connect the electrode to ground. The receive channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at an electrode during transmit processing, such as a diode clamp preventing voltage swings greater than diode voltage at the electrode. Limiting the voltage provides virtual grounding or a direct current for either of the transmit or receive operation.

Abstract: A segmented ultrasound system is provided. Ultrasound data, such as image data in a video format, is wirelessly transmitted to a multi-use display device from a handheld ultrasound device. Any of various multi-use display devices may be used, such as personal digital assistants (PDA), tablet computers, lap top computers, or personal computers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving different types of signal formats from different ultrasound transducers are provided. A base unit of an ultrasound system includes a connector and receiver circuit for connecting with one of multiple different types of transducers. For example, a conventional transducer providing analog information associated with a single element on one receive channel is connected with the connector and receiver circuit. Alternatively, a transducer outputting time division multiplex or other multiplex information representing multiple transducer elements is connected with the connector and receiver circuit. The receiver circuit processes the received information differently depending on the data format. For example, the preamplifier impedance or gain is different for single element signals versus time division multiplex signals. As another example, a low pass filter bandwidth is larger for time division multiplex signals than for signals representing a single element.

Abstract: Methods and systems for isolating transmit and receive circuitry at an ultrasound transducer element are provided. Separate electrodes or electrodes on opposite sides of a transducer element are connected to the separate transmit and receive paths or channels. Instead of high voltage transmit and receive switching, the transducer element isolates the transmit channel from the receive channel. The transmit channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at one electrode during receive processing, such as a switch operable to connect the electrode to ground. The receive channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at an electrode during transmit processing, such as a diode clamp preventing voltage swings greater than diode voltage at the electrode. Limiting the voltage provides virtual grounding or a direct current for either of the transmit or receive operation.

Abstract: A segmented ultrasound system is provided. Ultrasound data, such as image data in a video format, is wirelessly transmitted to a multi-use display device from a handheld ultrasound device. Any of various multi-use display devices may be used, such as personal digital assistants (PDA), tablet computers, lap top computers, or personal computers.

Abstract: An improved, continuous process for the production of animal feed supplements is provided. Broadly, the process includes continuous preparation of a preblend including molasses and vegetable fat, followed by continuous cooking of the preblend in an elongated cooking zone. The cooked preblend is then continuously treated for removal of moisture and partial cooling thereof, whereupon dry ingredients (e.g., vitamins and protein sources) are added and the resultant feed supplement is continuously cooled and packaged.

Abstract: An image, such as a radiographic diagnostic image, is increased in brightness by an image intensifer (B). A multiport image distributor (C) receives the image from an convergent lens (34) and distributes it among a plurality of outlet ports (38, 42, 44, 46, 48). A plurality of cameras (D) or other image receiving processing devices are connected with the outlet ports. The image distributor includes a plurality of modules (50A, 50B, 50C), each of which moves a beam splitter (60) into and out of a beam splitting position. In the beam splitting position, each beam splitter divides the received image between two of the output ports. The four modules in the preferred embodiment enable the image to be distributed among up to five output ports.

Abstract: A mode selecting switch (74) selectively interconnects one of an external timing signal from a tachometer (32) and master timing signals from a raster-scan synchronization generator (70) with a sensor line shift timing generator (76). In a time delay and integration mode, the sensor line shift timing generator causes the CCD arrays of an image section (22) and storage section (24) to shift pixel values down the CCD arrays at a rate commensurate with the external timing signal. As a spot of light emanating from a portion of an object moving through an examination region moves along the CCD array, a corresponding pixel charge is shifted through the CCD array at the same speed such that the same pixel charge integrates light from the same spot as it moves the entire length of the CCD array. In a raster-scan mode, the mode selecting switch connects master timing signals from the raster scan sync generator to the sensor line shift timing generator which generates conventional raster-scan timing signals.

Abstract: A tachometer (32) monitors the speed of a continuously moving web or article (12). A lens (20) focuses an image of a portion of the web in an examination region (14) on image section (22) of a CCD array. As the web moves, the image moves correspondingly along the image section. A synchronizing circuit (C) adjusts the frequency of the tachometer output signal and uses it in lieu of a fixed frequency oscillator as the master clocking or timing basis for generating clocking pulses for the CCD array. More specifically, the synchronizing circuit generates four phase clocking pulses (.phi.1A-.phi.4A) which shifts lines of CCD data along the image section at the same speed that the image is moving along the CCD section. In this manner, the pixel values integrate light from the same area of the imaged web at each shifted position along the image section.

Abstract: As an object moves along a conveyor (A), a position sensor (B) generates a trigger signal. The trigger signal causes a strobe (14) to emit a high intensity flash of light into an examination region. A lens (20) of a CCD camera (C) focuses light from the examination region both before and during the flash on an image section (24) of a CCD array (22). Subsequent to the flash, a trigger signal delay circuit (16) causes a control circuit (D) to shift the lines of pixel values from the image section into a storage section (26), from the storage section to shift registers (32), and serially from the shift register as a video signal. A video signal channel (52) refines the video signal which is transferred to a computer system (E) which implements a preselected quality control algorithm selected in accordance with a product to be examined.

Abstract: An X-ray spotfilming apparatus including a film cassette carriage mounted for longitudinal, reciprocating motion in housing having at least one film cassette receiving opening. A carriage drive system including a servomotor and a feedback potentiometer is operative to drive the film carriage between a retracted position and a plurality of exposure positions. Clamp members are mounted for sliding transverse movement within the carriage assembly and are operative in connection with a clamp coupling mechanism and clamp drive system to effect both clamping and translational movements within the carriage. A cassette advance apparatus drives a film cassette to a predetermined position along a clamp members and includes a advance pawl engageable with the cassette and a feedback pot for monitoring the position of the pawl. The feedbck signals from the clamp drive and cassette advance potentiometers are utilized to determine the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the film cassette.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an X-ray generator in order to obtain a relatively constant output window brightness from a directly viewed X-ray image intensifier tube by introducing a small sinusoidal variation to the bias supply of the image intensifier tube and detecting only the resultantly modulated light component output from the phosphor display screen, the error signal thus derived being independent of dark current and power frequency components common to X-ray generated light output of the image intensifier tube.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a spot filmer for feeding sheets of unexposed film one at a time into a vacuum evacuable assembly for exposure, and for returning exposed film sheets to an exposed film magazine. The spot filmer has a housing defining a light tight enclosure. The film magazines are insertable through a door into the housing and into a film feed mechanism. The film feed mechanism unlatches, opens and positions the magazines; feeds a sheet of unexposed film into the vacuum evacuable assembly; releases the film sheet so the assembly can position the film sheet for exposure; and closes the film magazines. An orthogonal drive system positions the vacuum evacuable assembly to expose selected film sheet portions, and returns the assembly to a retracted position. The film feed mechanism opens the magazines; feeds the exposed film sheet into the exposed film magazine; and closes the magazines. The structures of these several mechanisms are described.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a spot filmer for feeding sheet of unexposed film one at a time into a vacuum evacuable assembly for exposure, and for returning exposed film sheets to an exposed film magazine. The spot filmer has a housing defining a light tight enclosure. The film magazines are insertable through a door into the housing and into a film feed mechanism. The film feed mechanism unlatches, opens and positions the magazines; feeds a sheet of unexposed film into the vacuum evacuable assembly; releases the film sheet so the assembly can position the film sheet for exposure; and closes the film magazines. An orthogonal drive system positions the vacuum evacuable assembly to expose selected film sheet portions, and returns the assembly to a retracted position. The film feed mechanism opens the magazines; feeds the exposed film sheet into the exposed film magazine; and closes the magazines.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system (thermograph) that electronically forms an optical display of an object as viewed in the infrared portion of the spectrum wherein a given brightness level of the optical image may be set to correspond to a particular object temperature. A reference object (target) within the thermograph is periodically imaged simultaneously with the electronic video circuits being reset to a reference voltage proportional to the absolute temperature of the target. Temperature variations of the target during a period use of the thermograph thus does not affect the brightness level of the optical images, and the optical image brightness becomes a measure of the absolute temperature of the optical image.