Abstract: A semi-solid metal alloy injection feed system for reduced inclusion injection molding comprises a substantially closed injection chamber for containing a billet of semi-solid metal alloy, and thrusting the billet through the injection chamber into a mold, wherein the injection chamber has a first section defined by a wall with an inner contour for mating with a bearing surface for reciprocating motion of the bearing surface within the first section, along a center axis of the injection chamber; and the injection chamber has an outlet in fluid communication with the mold, the outlet provided at an opening in the injection chamber that is offset with respect to the center axis, and is disposed at an angle of 90° to 125° from the center axis. There is no neck or throttling between the chamber and the outlet. A butt end trap is preferably formed that requires inclusions that are principally on a bottom side of the injector to travel a relatively long ways to enter the outlet.

Abstract: Herein a method for slice selection is provided in an MRI process, the method involves controlling a transmit array by adding low flip angle RF pulses interspersed between refocusing pulses that are used to move a k-space weighting function with respect to one or more B 1 fields used to deposit energy according to a desired k-space weighting function. The low flip angle pulses deposit energy so that an envelope traced by the low flip angle pulses in the k-space weighting function is related to a desired spatially excited region of the sample volume, for example by a Fourier transform, if the phase encoding directions are linear axes that coordinatize the sample volume, and the B 1 fields have linear phase gradients.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for positioning, orientation and insertion of a medical device. The apparatus comprising a first pentagonal mechanism which offers two degrees of freedom, and a second pentagonal mechanism which offers three degrees of freedom of motion. The two are aligned along a first axis so as to permit them to hold an instrument driving means. The instrument driving means is adapted to hold a medical instrument and adapted to permit said instrument to move along and rotate on its own axis. The instrument driving means offers another two degrees of freedom of motion. The apparatus provides a total of six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A scanning optical head for a catheter is locally controlled by a motor at an insertion end of the catheter uses a hollow motor through which a longitudinal optical path of the catheter passes. This permits the motor to be positioned between a control base of the catheter and avoids rotating the whole fiber, and therefore makes the beam scanning stable and accurate. In addition, because there is no coupling component, it also eliminates the light reflection between additional surfaces as well as varying fiber birefringence, which becomes a cause of noise when imaging the deep structure.

Abstract: Accumulated spin magnetization phase within a RF MRI procedure can be used for providing an orderly k-space traversal. By operating a transmit array adapted to produce two B1 fields in alternation, where the B1 fields are substantially uniform in amplitude over a sample volume of the MRI setup, and the B1 fields have respective spatial phase distributions such that selection of a difference in spatial derivatives of the spatial phase distributions permits control over a size of a step in k-space applied by successive refocusing pulses for generating the B1 fields in alternation. Each alternating refocusing pulse issued within a T2 time causes a step through k-space in an encoding direction determined by the difference in spatial derivatives.

Abstract: A self-powered foam (e.g. compressed-air foam (CAF)) distributor has a rotor mechanism with impingement surfaces against which foam impinges to rotate the rotor. The rotor is mounted on an inlet shaft geared to an output shaft. A rotary outlet is mounted to the output shaft so that foam entering the distributor rotates the rotary outlet, which in turn projects foam around in a circular sweep. The rotary outlet can rotate over a full 360 degrees, providing superior coverage for a large floor space, such as in hangars or warehouses, with less water and concentrate than in unfoamed conventional systems. Having a compact vertical profile this versatile distributor can be installed in a floor trench of a hangar or on a wall or ceiling. Since all rotational energy is harnessed from the pressure of the foam itself, no external energy source is required to power the distributor.

Abstract: A cementitious compound provides a brittle undercoat for making a surface-mounted crack sensor on a surface. A low percent elongation and low tensile strength of the cementitious compound have proven valuable in ensuring that cracks in the underlying surface are transmitted through the undercoat so that a trace of conductive ink or paint on the undercoat more reliably detects the crack.

Abstract: A technique for determining properties of a bearing assembly in use involves using an eddy current probe for detecting changes in material density within a raceway of the bearing assembly. A field of detection of the eddy current probe enters the bearing raceway intermediate races that define the raceway, and as such the detection is of the bearing elements, and not deflections in a wall that defines the raceway.