Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method to efficiently turn light from an optical fiber around a corner while avoiding the frustrated-TIR loss that would occur if the fiber were bent. The invention uses non-imaging optics which efficiently deal with beam divergence half-angles less than 90°. By recognizing that most light from a fiber optic source will have a divergence half-angle of less than 90 degrees, a practical solution is achieved using non-imaging optics.

Abstract: A radiation detector assembly, in some aspects, includes a detector substrate and a detector matrix array disposed on the detector substrate. A scintillator material is disposed on the detector matrix array and a moisture resistant layer is disposed on the scintillator material. The moisture resistant layer includes a plurality of sub-layers. The assembly also includes a protective cover disposed over the detector substrate and the moisture resistant layer, and an adhesive material disposed between the detector substrate and the cover. The adhesive material in some configurations is disposed so that it is not in contact with the moisture resistant layer.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides an X-ray source. The X-ray source includes a field emitter array having a plurality of field emitter elements disposed in a vacuum chamber and configured to emit electrons in the vacuum chamber towards an anode assembly. The X-ray source also includes an anode disposed in the vacuum chamber for receiving the electrons emitted by the field emitter array and configured to thereby generate X-ray radiation. The X-ray source further includes a source of cleaning gas coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the source of cleaning gas is configured to provide the cleaning gas to the vacuum chamber towards the field emitter array to reduce deposition of contaminants on or to clean contaminates from the field emitter array.

Abstract: The present technique relates to a method and apparatus to provide a deep power down mode. In a memory device, such as DRAM or SRAM, various internal voltage buses provide power throughout the semiconductor chip. In a deep power down mode, grounding devices may be utilized to ground the internal voltage buses. With the internal voltage buses grounded, the outputs of the level shifters, which are control signals, may need to be forced into specific states. Through the use of the grounding devices and level shifters, leakage may be reduced and latch-up conditions may be reduced. As a result, the operation of the semiconductor chip may be enhanced because the problems associated with grounding the internal voltage buses may be diminished.

Abstract: An operational status detection system for a railroad warning device having a warning light, comprising: a photo detector configured to generate a signal corresponding to a light output of the warning light of the railroad warning device, the photo detector comprising a lens, an optical filter and a photodiode, wherein the optical filter is disposed between the photodiode and the lens and the optical filter is configured to provide the light output of the warning light to be presented as a substantially uniform spatial response to the photodiode wherein areas of high intensity of the warning light that are received by the lens are attenuated, the areas of high intensity providing higher light outputs than other areas of the warning light; and a microcontroller for receiving the signal, wherein the microcontroller compares the signal to at least one threshold value, the at least one threshold value corresponding to an acceptable light output of the warning light.

Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically identifying regions of bone or other structural regions within a reconstructed CT volume data set. The technique identifies and labels regions within the data set and computes various statistics for the regions. A rule-based classifier processes the statistics to classify each region. Incidental connections between disparate regions are eliminated. A structure mask, such as a bone mask, is then constructed after exclusion of regions of interest, such as a vascular map. The structure mask may then be used to construct a volume rendering free of the structure, such as bone-free.

Abstract: An emergency cutting torch system adapted to be stored within a compartment of a rescue vehicle. The emergency cutting torch system may comprise a wheeled cart adapted to maintain a first gas storage tank and a second gas storage tank to the wheeled cart in all orientations of the wheeled cart. The emergency cutting torch system may comprise a rotateable lifting member adapted to be rotate outward to extend from the wheeled cart to facilitate engagement with a hook, or other lifting member, for lifting the emergency cutting torch system. The lifting member may rotate to a stowed position to reduce the outer dimensions of the emergency cutting torch system. The emergency cutting torch system may comprise a quick-release system to enable a hose assembly wound on a cart be removed quickly without having to unwind the hose assembly from the cart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling alarms in a medical diagnostic apparatus where an alarm is generated when a measured value for a physiological parameter is outside a specified range. The method continuously calculates a baseline value, and establishes dynamic thresholds that are related to and continuously track the baseline value. The method determines the amount of time the measured value is past the dynamic threshold, and the amount by which the threshold is passed. Alarms are triggered based upon a combination of the amount of time and the amount by which the threshold is passed. Preferably, the combination is an integral or some function of an integral.

Abstract: A technique for packaging multiple devices to form a multi-chip module. Specifically, a multi-chip package is coupled to an interposer to form the multi-chip module. The multi-chip package includes a plurality of integrated circuit chips coupled to a carrier. The chips are encapsulated such that conductive elements are exposed through the encapsulant. The conductive elements are electrically coupled to the chips. The interposer is configured such that vias are aligned with the conductive elements. Conductive material may be disposed into the vias to provide signal paths from the integrated circuit chips to conductive balls disposed on the backside of the interposer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inducing heat within a workpiece. A flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable is used to produce a magnetic field to induce electric current in a workpiece. The induction heating cable has separate fluid and electrical connectors to separately couple cooling fluid and electric current to and from the induction heating cable. An induction heating system having a fluid cooling unit, a power source, and a flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable having separate fluid and electrical connectors. An extension cable may be used to enable the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable to be used at a greater distance from the power source and the fluid cooling unit. An insulation blanket adapted for use with a specific size workpiece may be used with the flexible fluid-cooled induction heating cable.

Abstract: A technique is provided for improving performance of a digital detector system, such as in a digital X-ray system. Improved frame rates and enhanced resolutions are achieved by selecting a field of view of interest and processing pixel information only for the selected field of view. Data from a series of rows of the detector are simultaneously processed by restoring charge to pixels of a row, while digitizing signals from a previously recharged row, and transmitting digital signals for a third row for which the signals were previously digitized. Scrubbing of rows outside the selected field of view may be performed as signals are detected and processes for rows within the selected field of view.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiments relate to a process for improving retention time of a set of integrated circuit devices. The process comprises placing the set of integrated circuit devices in a reverse bias condition, and elevating the surrounding temperature of the set of integrated circuit devices for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Memory modules and methods for fabricating and implementing memory modules wherein unique operating current values corresponding to specific memory devices on the memory modules are accessed from a database such that the operating current values may be implemented to improve system performance. Memory modules comprising a number of volatile memory devices may be fabricated. Operating current values corresponding to the specific memory devices on the memory module may be stored in a database and accessed during fabrication or during implementation of the memory modules in a system. System performance may be optimized by implementing the unique operating current values corresponding to the specific memory devices on the memory modules.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multi-tile detector and a process for assembling the multi-tile detector using a flexible structure and intermediate electrical connections. The present technique minimizes edge gaps between adjacent detector tiles by coupling the detector tiles to the flexible structure and then flexing the flexible structure to close the edge gaps. Intermediate electrical connections, such as interlayer solder bumps, also may be used to minimize visible artifacts associated with tiling of the detector tiles. The present technique also may use a plurality of soldering materials having different melting temperatures to facilitate multiple soldering steps that are nondestructive of previous soldering steps.

Abstract: A light emitter drive circuit for an oximeter which utilizes a single inductor for driving multiple light emitters. The inductor is connected to a switching circuit to multiple energy storage circuits, such as capacitors. These are alternately charged up, using the same inductor. Subsequently, the capacitors are alternately discharged for their corresponding light emitters through the same inductor. Also, the magnetic susceptibility of the LED drive circuit is reduced by using magnetic flux canceling in the inductor. In one embodiment, a toroidal inductor is used with geometric symmetry and its magnetic flux. In another embodiment, a dual core closed bobbin shielded inductor is used.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining if a forward voltage of an LED in a pulse oximeter is within a predetermined range. This is accomplished by measuring the current through the LED, and also by knowing the duty cycle of the pulse width modulator (PWM) drive signal to the LED.

Abstract: An image correction system and method includes a digital data input unit configured to receive digital pixel data corresponding to a pixel level for a particular pixel location on a detector panel. An offset memory stores offset pixel values for each of a plurality of pixel locations making up the detector panel. A subtractor subtracts an offset pixel value corresponding to the particular pixel location, as obtained from the offset memory, from the received digital pixel data, to provide a subtracted result. A bit shifter unit shifts down the subtracted result by a predetermined number of bits to provide a bit-shifted result. An adder adds the bit-shifted result to the offset pixel value to provide an added result. A corresponding memory location of the offset memory that corresponds to the particular pixel location is updated with the added result. Information in the offset memory is utilized to correct a digital image.

Abstract: The present technique is associated with financial analysis of a capital investment in medical resources. The technique allows a client to interact with a remote financial analysis system via a network interface, and to enter and transmit client data associated with a desired capital investment to the financial analysis system for an investment analysis. The financial analysis system then provides a customized investment report for the desired capital investment to assist the client in evaluating the feasibility of the investment.

Abstract: An imaging system and method includes a detector framing node (DFN) being programmable to receive image data from a panel detector, and to store the image data for later transfer of the image data by way of a direct memory access (DMA) transfer. The imaging system and method also includes a DFN control unit configured to control operation of the DFN and to output at least one DMA instruction to the DFN, the at least one DMA instruction corresponding to a dummy DMA instruction that disables a start of a DMA transfer corresponding to execution of the at least one DMA instruction. The imaging system and method further includes an auxiliary image interface being programmable to detect the dummy DMA instruction, to issue a DMA request to the DFN in accordance with the dummy DMA instruction, and to convert data received from the DFN into a different format, to output to a host unit that is capable of processing the data received in the different format.

Abstract: A gradient amplifier arrangement is described that comprises a gradient amplifier power stage. The device may be employed to provide a current to a gradient coil, as in a MRI system. The circuitry disclosed includes a series coupling of a first bridge amplifier operating at a first voltage, a second bridge amplifier operating at a second voltage, a third bridge amplifier operating at a third voltage, and a gradient amplifier control stage. The amplifiers may provide output voltages at different levels, and may be switched at different times and frequencies to provide a range of output voltage and current levels.