Abstract: A system for providing remote service to medical diagnostic systems is described that includes a field service unit connectable to an automated service facility via a network link. The field service unit is configured to compose service requests based upon a series or menu of predefined service modules or functions. The service request includes identification of a diagnostic system or facility of interest. The request is communicated to the automated service facility which verifies the request and executes the requested function. Data may be gathered from the diagnostic system or institution as well as from service databases. Results of the service operation are automatically transmitted to the requesting service unit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring temperature in at least one location of an electromagnetic coil assembly having at least one electrical winding. The method includes passing a light through a non-magnetic optical fiber inserted into a sheath that is wound with the electrical winding. The sheath is wound and cast with the electromagnetic coil assembly, and the optical fiber is slidably inserted therein. The optical fiber has a core containing at least a first Bragg grating etched therein. The method further includes detecting a wavelength of light reflected from the first Bragg grating and determining a temperature of the electromagnetic coil assembly at a location of the first Bragg grating utilizing the detected wavelength of the light reflected from the first Bragg grating.

Abstract: A phosphor comprises europium, at least two alkaline-earth metals, and at least a Group-13 metal. In one embodiment, the phosphor has a formula selected from the group consisting of Sr4-a-zAaEuzD12O22 and Sr4-a-zAaEuzD14O25; wherein A is at least an alkaline-earth metal other than strontium; D is an element selected from the group consisting of Group-13 metals, group-3 metals, and rare-earth metals; 0<a<4; 0.001<z<0.3; and 4-a-z>0. The phosphor can be used in light sources and displays.

Abstract: A method for equalizing a storage parameter for a vehicle energy storage system having one or more energy storage banks associated therewith includes identifying a quiescent period of operation for the vehicle, and determining whether the value of a defined storage quantity for a first energy storage bank differs from the value of the defined storage quantity for a second energy storage bank by a threshold amount. During the quiescent period of operation, one of the first and second energy storage banks is discharged and the other of the first and second energy storage banks is charged. The one of the first and second energy storage banks corresponds to the bank having the value of the defined storage quantity exceeding the value of the defined storage quantity of the other of the first and second energy storage banks.

Abstract: A system for controlling blade tip clearance in a turbine. The system includes a stator including a shroud having a plurality of shroud segments and a rotor including a blade rotatable within the shroud. An actuator assembly is positioned radially around the shroud and includes a plurality of actuators. A sensor senses a turbine parameter and generates a sensor signal representative of the turbine parameter. A modeling module generates a tip clearance prediction in response to turbine cycle parameters. A controller receives the sensor signal and the tip clearance prediction and generates at least one command signal. The actuators include at least one actuator receiving the command signal and adjusts a position of at least one of the shroud segments in response to the command signal.

Abstract: A solar cell having a plurality of micro-channels. Specifically, a plurality of micro-channels are formed in a semiconductor material that has been disposed on the surface of a planar electrode. The semiconductor material is saturated with dye and injected with an electrolyte solution. The micro-channels are insulated and filled with a material that provides a catalyst material for the electron transfer to an oxidant during the photovoltaic process. The catalyst disposed in the micro-channels forms the upper electrode of the solar cell. The micro-channels are arranged to provide a reduced migration path for the oxidant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the application of Blind Source Separation (BSS), specifically independent Component Analysis (ICA) to mixture signals obtained by a pulse oximeter sensor. In pulse oximetry, the signals measured at different wavelengths represent the mixture signals, while the plethysmographic signal, motion artifact, respiratory artifact and instrumental noise represent the source components. The BSS is carried out by a two-step method including an ICA. In the first step, the method uses Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as a preprocessing step, and the Principal Components are then used to derive sat and the Independent Components, where the Independent Components are determined in a second step. In one embodiment, the independent components are obtained by high-order decorrelation of the principal components, achieved by maximizing the sum of the squares of the higher-order cumulants of the plurality of mixture signals.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiments relate to a control circuit that is adapted to use a latency signal to generate an output signal. The latency is adapted to be used to create a control signal that is dependent on the latency signal. The control signal is adapted to be used to select from among multiple input sources. The selected input source is adapted to be used to create an output signal.

Abstract: A technique for comparing pressure oscillations obtained during a blood pressure determination wherein two or more sets of matching criteria may be employed. The set of matching criteria to be employed is determined based on the heart rate variability or the presence of heart beat irregularities or arrhythmias as determined by an independent heart monitor, such as an ECG. The selected set of matching criteria may then be employed in determining the acceptability of the time interval between two oscillations and the equivalence of the two oscillations based upon one or more oscillation characteristics, such as peak amplitude. In this manner, non-consecutive oscillations may be matched and used in determining blood pressure.

Abstract: A system for compressing a set of data points is provided. The system includes a critical aperture compression module that is configured to discard one or more data points from the set of data points. The discarded one or more data points fall within a tolerance band surrounding a straight line that represents a trend of the discarded one or more data points. A remainder of the set of data points represents a compressed set of data points.

Abstract: Briefly in accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides an X-ray source. The X-ray source includes an electron source configured to generate an electron beam. The X-ray source also includes an ultra-violet photon source configured to generate one or more mono-energetic streams of ultra-violet photons. The X-ray source further includes an interaction region configured to facilitate interaction of the electron beam and the one or more mono-energetic streams of ultra-violet photons to generate X-rays having a substantially monochromatic or multimodal distribution.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing circuit components, such as memory devices, in a support, such as a socket. The device to be installed is supported in a holder or shell. The holder is positioned over a support region in the receiving socket. A manual actuator is pressed into the holder to eject the device from the holder and to install the device in the support. The holder may be configured to hold a single device, or multiple devices aligned in slots defined by partitions. A multi-device tray may be provided for indexing devices toward an ejection slot, through which the devices are installed by manual actuation of an ejecting actuator. The technique provides protection for the device prior to and during installation, and facilitates manual installation of such devices without requiring direct hand contact with the device either prior to or during installation.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes an annular hanger having a supporting ledge. An arcuate seal segment includes an outer rail mounted on the ledge and supporting an inner seal. An arcuate carrier is mounted between the hanger and the rail, and includes a piston mounted in a bore. The bore is selectively pressurized to deploy the piston between the hanger and rail for temporarily retracting the seal segment from an adjacent rotor component.

Abstract: The present technique provides a variety of processing schemes for decomposing soft tissue and bone images more accurately from low and high-energy images acquired from an imaging system, such as a dual-energy digital radiography system using flat-panel technology. In particular, a parameter selection process is provided for automatically computing the decomposition parameters WS and WB to create soft tissue and bone images, respectively. The parameter selection process modifies a default decomposition parameter based on a variety of image and technique variables, such as intensity levels of the low and high-energy images, the patient size, and the collimator filtration setting. The parameter selection process avoids robustness problems associated with image-based algorithms, and the process may operate without any direct user interaction.

Abstract: A distributed multi-user system for real time data access during cardiology procedures. The system includes an interactive computer network which can be used to simultaneously display data from a cardiology procedure on a plurality of devices and at a plurality of locations. The system is implemented through various replication topologies which allow the simultaneous access a cardiology study during the procedure. The study can be displayed at any of the plurality of locations, which may be local or remote, during the procedure.

Abstract: A method for forming a nickel cap layer over copper metalized bond pad is disclosed in which the phosphorous content of the nickel cap, and particularly the surface of the nickel cap, may be controlled. The phosphorous content of the surface of the nickel cap is suitably determined such that oxidation is inhibited. The resulting nickel cap may be wire-bonded directly, without the deposition of a gold cap layer.

Abstract: A technique for compensating for a retained image includes employing bimodal readout of alternating light and dark images. The bimodal readout technique results from reading either light or dark frames more rapidly, allowing additional time to be allocated to the X-ray exposures occurring prior to the light frames or to the other reading operation. The bimodal readout may be accomplished by a binning procedure by which scan lines are binned and read, typically during dark frame readout. The images acquired from reading the dark frames may then be used to compensate for a retained image artifacts present in the image derived from light frames.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a web-based chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) system. Specifically, a fluid spray bar is coupled to a frame assembly which may be mounted on a CMP system. The fluid spray bar will move along the frame assembly. As the fluid spray bar traverses the length of the frame assembly, a cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the web in order to clean the web between planarization cycles.

Abstract: A hybrid energy system for propelling an off-highway vehicle includes an engine rated at a first power capacity, and a power converter driven by the engine for providing primary electric power. A traction motor system receives the primary electric power, the traction motor system propelling the off-highway vehicle in response to the primary electric power, and the traction motor system further including a dynamic braking mode of operation. An energy storage medium captures electrical energy generated by the traction motor system in the dynamic braking mode of operation, the energy storage medium transferring a portion of the captured energy to the traction motor system to augment the primary electric power, wherein the traction motor system is rated at a second power capacity exceeding the first power capacity.