Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system comprises a plurality of radiation detectors (20) configured to detect radiation events emanating from an imaging region. The system comprises a calibration phantom (14) configured to be disposed in the imaging region spanning substantially an entire field of view and to generate radiation event pairs that define lines-of-response, wherein the calibration phantom is thin such that each LOR intersects the calibration phantom along its length, the thickness of the phantom being smaller than the length of the LORs. A calibration processor (24) receives input of the radiation detectors and calculates an incidence angle independent crystal delay ?i for each detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an HVAC system electronic expansion valve (EEV) include determining an optimal EEV position for the HVAC system as a function of a variable related to an ambient environment enthalpy and operating the HVAC system as a function of the optimal EEV position.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) apparatus and method employs a plurality of radiation detectors (20) disposed around an imaging region (16) and configured to detect 511 keV radiation events emanating from the imaging region. A calibration phantom is disposed in the imaging region. One or more processors are configured to: acquire and store listmode data of the phantom; measure a random rate for each line of response (LOR) from the listmode data using a coincident 511 keV events detector (34) with a time offset (54); determine a singles rate for each detector pixel from the random event rate, for example via a histogram plotting singles rate for each detector pixel; compute a live time factor of each LOR; compute a dead time correction factor as the reciprocal of the live time factor; and correct images according to the dead time correction factor.

Abstract: A system (10) and a method (150) identify non-functioning pixels in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Data describing scintillation events localized to a plurality of pixels (22, 32) of a PET scanner (12) is received. A count map histogram is generated from the received data. The count map histogram maps each of the pixels (22, 32) to a count of scintillation events localized to the pixel (22, 32). One or more non-functioning pixels are identified from the count map histogram.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, a thermostat, and a remote control device. The indoor unit comprises a first variable speed drive (VSD) to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the indoor unit, and the outdoor unit comprises a second VSD to control a speed of HVAC rotary components within the outdoor unit. The thermostat in communication with the indoor unit and the outdoor unit comprises a communication interface, and a system controller in communication with the communication interface. The remote control device transmits a signal to the system controller to alter the speed of the HVAC rotary components, where the HVAC rotary components operate at a high speed mode which is above the preset speed limit of the respective HVAC rotary component to achieve an enhanced cooling mode.

Abstract: Time of flight (TOF) corrections for radiation detector elements of a TOF positron emission tomography (TOF PET) scanner are generated by solving an over-determined set of equations defined by calibration data acquired by the TOF PET scanner from a point source located at an isocenter of the TOF PET scanner, suitably represented as matrix equation Formula I=CS where Formula I represents TOF time differences, C is a relational matrix encoding the radiation detector elements, and S represents the TOF corrections. A pseudo-inverse C?1 of relational matrix C may be computed to solve S=C?1 Formula I. TOF corrections can be generated for a particular type of detector unit by identifying the radiation detector elements in C by detector unit. Further, multi-photon triggering time stamps can be adjusted to first-photon triggering based on Formula II where P1 is average photon count using first-photon triggering and Pm is a photon count using multi-photon triggering.

Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) system (10) and method (100) classifies gamma events. At least one processor (62, 66, 70) is programmed to receive event data for a plurality of scintillation events corresponding to gamma events. The gamma events are generated by gamma photons from a region of interest (ROI) (14). The gamma events of the event data are classified into a plurality of classifications. The classifications distinguish between single-crystal gamma events and multi-crystal gamma events.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the pressure Pavcm upstream of a mechanical compressor (3) equipped with a double supercharging circuit of a combustion engine. The pressure Pavcm is determined by a dynamic model based on a law of conservation of flow rate in the volume upstream of the mechanical compressor. The model links the pressure Pavcm upstream of the mechanical compressor (3) to a temperature Tavcm upstream of the mechanical compressor (3), to a boost pressure Psural and boost temperature Tsural on the intake side of the engine, and to an openness Bypass of the bypass valve (4).

Abstract: A photon detector includes a sensor array of optical sensors disposed in a plane and four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars. Each optical sensor is configured to sense luminescence. Each of the four scintillator crystal bars being a rectangular prism with four side surfaces and first and second end surfaces, each scintillation bar has two side surfaces which each face a side surface of another scintillation bar, and each scintillation crystal bar generating a light scintillation in response to interacting with a received gamma photon. A first layer (80) is disposed in a first plane disposed between and adjacent facing side surfaces of the four substantially identical scintillation crystal bars with a light sharing portion (82) adjacent the first end surface and a reflective portion (84) adjacent the second end surface.

Abstract: A system (10) and a method (150) identify non-functioning pixels in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Data describing scintillation events localized to a plurality of pixels (22, 32) of a PET scanner (12) is received. A count map histogram is generated from the received data. The count map histogram maps each of the pixels (22, 32) to a count of scintillation events localized to the pixel (22, 32). One or more non-functioning pixels are identified from the count map histogram.

Abstract: A scintillator element (22) includes scintillator blocks (60) arranged to form an array, and transparent or translucent material (62) disposed between adjacent scintillator blocks of the array. The transparent or translucent material may comprise epoxy or glue disposed between adjacent scintillator blocks of the array and adhering the adjacent scintillator blocks together. In some embodiments the scintillator blocks have a refractive index for scintillation light of at least •=1.8, and the transparent or translucent material has a refractive index for the scintillation light of at least •=1.6. An array of light detectors (24), such as silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) detectors formed monolithically on a silicon substrate, may be disposed on a bottom face of the scintillator element to detect scintillation light generated in the scintillator element. For PET applications, the scintillator element and the array of light detectors define a radiation detector (20) configured to detect 511 keV radiation.

Abstract: A system (10) and a method (100) compensate for one or more dead pixels in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. A pixel compensation processor receives PET data describing a target volume of a subject. The PET data is missing data for one or more dead pixels. The pixel compensation estimates PET data for the dead pixels from the received PET data.

Abstract: Fluid control apparatus having flow restrictors are described herein. An example actuator includes an actuator housing having an actuator to define a first chamber of the actuator housing and a second chamber of the actuator housing. A loading fluid pathway is formed in the actuator housing to fluidly couple a loading fluid and the first chamber. A restrictor is positioned within the loading fluid pathway to regulate a flow rate of the loading fluid that is to flow from an inlet port of the loading fluid pathway to the first chamber.

Abstract: A medical nuclear imaging system (10) and corresponding method (100) are provided. A plurality of pixels (20, 24) detect radiation events and estimate the energy of the detected radiation events. A memory (58) stores a plurality of energy windows (44), the energy windows corresponding to the pixels. An event verification module (56) windows the radiation event with the energy windows corresponding to the detecting pixels. A reconstruction processor (60) reconstructs the windowed radiation events into an image representation.

Abstract: In a method of controlling the combustion of a combustion engine from an estimation of the burnt gas mass fraction in the intake manifold, a measurement relative to a fresh air flow rate or to a burnt gas flow rate is performed upstream from the mixing space where fresh air and burnt gas mix. The burnt gas mass fraction present in the mixing space is then estimated from the measurement and from a model of the mixing dynamics in this space. A transport delay between the space and the intake manifold is estimated. The mass fraction of burnt gas in the intake manifold is then deduced in real time. Finally, combustion is controlled from the burnt gas mass fraction in the intake manifold.

Abstract: A detector (16) maintains thermal stability between two different operating modes. The detector (16) includes at least one controller (36, 38) which sets the detection sensitivity of the detector (16) to a level disabling the detection of gamma photons. The controller (36, 38) further controls a heat generator (36, 38, 86) to maintain the temperature of the detector (16) at a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is the steady state temperature of the detector (16) when the detection sensitivity of the detector (16) is set to a level enabling the detection of gamma photons. A method (100) for maintaining thermal stability of a detector (16) between two different operating modes is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling an internal-combustion engine (1) equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation circuit and with variable timing means, having a first actuator (8) and of a second actuator (9). The method comprises acquiring a torque setpoint for the engine Tqsp determining a position setpoint for the first actuator (8) VVTint and a position setpoint for the second actuator (9) VVTexh by using a burnt gas flow model (MEGB) that relates the position setpoints of the actuators to the engine torque setpoint Tqsp . The burnt gas flow model (MEGB) comprises a cylinder filling model (MR), the burnt gas fraction in the cylinder is controlled by applying position setpoints VVTint and VVTexh to the variable timing means (8 and 9).

Abstract: A medical nuclear imaging system (10) and method (100) generate smooth energy histograms. Radiation events are detected by a plurality of detectors (14), the radiation events localized to a plurality of pixels of the detectors (14). The energy levels of the detected radiation events are estimated and the estimated energy levels are scaled with scaling parameters that scale the energy centroids of the plurality of pixels to target values differing by offsets around a common target value, the target values differing with spatial location of the plurality of pixels. Target value offsets are removed from the scaled energy levels and the detected radiation events are combined into an energy histogram using the energy levels with the target value offsets removed.

Abstract: A medical nuclear imaging system (10) and corresponding method (100) are provided. A plurality of pixels (20, 24) detect radiation events and estimate the energy of the detected radiation events. A memory (58) stores a plurality of energy windows (44), the energy windows corresponding to the pixels. An event verification module (56) windows the radiation event with the energy windows corresponding to the detecting pixels. A reconstruction processor (60) reconstructs the windowed radiation events into an image representation.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling an HVAC system electronic expansion valve (EEV) include determining an optimal EEV position for the HVAC system as a function of a variable related to an ambient environment enthalpy and operating the HVAC system as a function of the optimal EEV position.