Abstract: A system for receiving MR data that includes an RF coil array for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus. The RF coil array includes a plurality of non-concentric receiver coils arrayed along a first direction. A receiver coil at a first end of the RF coil array has a perimeter width greater than a perimeter width of a receiver coil at a second end of the RF coil array that is opposite from the first end along the first direction.

Abstract: A method for correcting a time delay between at least two signals in ultrasound systems is provided. The ultrasound system comprises a beamformer processor comprising a summer coupled to the transducer array and configured for performing a complex operation on a first plurality of receive signals to generate a beamsum signal; wherein each of the receive signals comprise a corresponding beamforming delay and a complex filter coupled to the summer and configured to transform the beamsum signal to an analytical signal. The beamformer processor further comprises a plurality of correlator processors coupled to at least one respective transducer element and the complex filter, each correlator processor configured to calculate a correlation sum for at least one receive signal and at least one time delay estimator adapted to receive the correlation sum of at least one receive signal and configured to estimate the corresponding time delay using the correlation sum.

Abstract: A method for forming an ultra thin die electronic package includes disposing a first polymer film on a first substrate, applying a first adhesive layer to the first polymer film, disposing at least one die on the first adhesive layer, disposing a second polymer film on at least one additional substrate, applying a second adhesive layer to the second polymer film on at least one additional substrate, applying a second adhesive layer to the second polymer film, and attaching the first substrate and the at least one additional substrate via the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer such that the at least one die is interspersed between. The method also includes forming multiple vias on a top and/or bottom side of the first and the additional substrate(s), wherein the multiple vias are directly connected to the die, and forming an electrical interconnection between the first substrate, the at least one additional substrate and a die pad of the at least one die.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an imaging component is provided comprising placing a focusing device in between a laser generator and a scintillator element; generating a laser using the laser generator; focusing the laser using the focusing device such that a focal spot of the laser is coincident with a portion of the isotropic portion; using the laser to alter the optical properties at the focal spot such that anisotropy is generated in the isotropic portion; and moving the focal spot relative to the scintillator element such that a three-dimensional pattern with altered optical properties is generated. The three-dimensional pattern controls the spread of photons within the scintillator element.

Abstract: A system and method of density and effective atomic number imaging include a computer programmed to acquire projection data from the detector of an unknown material at the time of projection data acquisition. The computer is also programmed to generate a density image for the unknown material based on a calibration of two or more known basis materials and to generate an effective atomic number (Z) for the unknown material based on the calibration of two or more known basis materials and based on a function arctan of a ratio of atomic numbers of the two or more known basis materials. The density and effective atomic number images are stored to a computer readable storage medium.

Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.

Abstract: A composite structure of a backing material with enhanced conductivity for use in a transducer is presented. The composite structure includes a plurality of layers of backing material alternatingly arranged with a plurality of thermal conductive elements, wherein the plurality of thermal conductive elements are configured to transfer heat from a center of the transducer to a plurality of points on the composite structure of backing material.

Abstract: X-ray detector system 18 with improved spatial resolution for a computed tomography systems is provided. Detector system 18 may include pairs of first and second detector arrays 50 and 52, with each array containing detector elements of a different design. In one embodiment, the first array 50 may comprise a first, relatively thin and continuous (i.e., monolithic) scintillation layer 70 with an array of individual diodes 74 positioned to receive light generated within the scintillation layer 70. The second array may comprise a second, relatively thick scintillation layer 80 formed of separate scintillator elements 82. An array of diodes 86 may be positioned to receive radiation from the scintillation layer 80 such that each diode element 82 is aligned to primarily receive radiation from one scintillator element 82 in the layer 80. The structural arrangements of the detector system may also be adapted for applications involving direct conversion of x-ray energy.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (100). An exemplary system (100) includes a plurality of transducer elements (136) formed in subarrays (140) and a plurality of subarray circuit units (160?), with each circuit unit (160?) connected to a subarray (140) of the transducer elements (136). The circuitry in each unit (160?) comprises a plurality of integrated circuits (330, 340, 350), with at least a first (340) of the integrated circuits formed over a second (330) of the integrated circuits in a stacked configuration. In an example illustration the first integrated circuit (340) includes a first plurality of first bond pads (345) along a surface (342) thereof and the second integrated circuit (330) includes a second plurality of second bond pads (335) along a surface (331) thereof, with bond wires (344) extending between pairs of first and second bond pads to provide input/output signal connections therebetween.

Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically generating a bone mask in CTA angiography. In accordance with the technique, an image data set may be pre-processed to accomplish a variety of function, such as removal of image data associated with the table, partitioning the volume into regionally consistent sub-volumes, computing structures edges based on gradients, and/or calculating seed points for subsequent region growing. The pre-processed data may then be automatically segmented for bone and vascular structure. The automatic vascular segmentation may be accomplished using constrained region growing in which the constraints are dynamically updated based upon local statistics of the image data. The vascular structure may be subtracted from the bone structure to generate a bone mask. The bone mask may in turn be subtracted from the image data set to generate a bone-free CTA volume for reconstruction of volume renderings.

Abstract: A technique is provided for comparative image analysis and/or change detection using computer assisted detection and/or diagnosis (CAD) algorithms. The technique includes registering two or more images, comparing the images with one another to generate a change map, and detecting anomalies in the images based on the change map.

Abstract: A solid-state photomultiplier (SSPM) includes an optical isolation structure therein. The SSPM includes a substrate and an epitaxial diode layer positioned on the substrate. A plurality of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are fabricated on the epitaxial diode layer and the optical isolation structure is positioned about the plurality of APDs to separate each of the plurality of APDs from adjacent APDs. The optical isolation structure contains at least one of a light absorbing material and a light reflecting material deposited therein to reduce optical crosstalk and dark count rate in the SSPM.

Abstract: A field emitter electron gun includes at least one field emitter cathode deposited on a substrate layer and configured to generate an electron beam. An extraction plate having an opening therethrough is positioned adjacent to the at least one field emitter cathode and is operated at a voltage so as to extract the electron beam out therefrom. A meshed grid is disposed between each of the at least one field emitter cathodes and the extraction plate. The meshed grid is configured to operate at a voltage so as to enhance an electric field at a surface of the at least one field emitter cathode. The meshed grid is a one-dimensional grid configured to focus the electron beam received from the at least one field emitter cathode into a desired spot size.

Abstract: A cold mass for a superconducting magnet system in one example comprises a superconducting magnet, a cryogenic cooling circuit, and a magnet and cooling circuit support. The magnet and cooling circuit support comprises a substantially conductive coupler that serves to couple the superconducting magnet and the cryogenic cooling circuit. The cryogenic cooling circuit comprises an inlet path and a substantially upward outlet path. The inlet path avoids direct conductive thermal engagement with the substantially conductive coupler. The substantially upward outlet path comprises direct conductive thermal engagement with the substantially conductive coupler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively controlling quench protection of a superconducting magnet includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to detect a quench condition of the superconducting magnet. The instructions also cause the computer to actively control a quench protection system of the superconducting magnet in response to the detected quench condition.

Abstract: A phased array for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of receiver coils arranged to form a staggered hexagonal coil array, with the staggered hexagonal coil array being rectangular in shape. Included in the plurality of receiver coils are a plurality of standard coils and a plurality of filler coils differing in shape from the standard coils. The shape of the filler coils is such that no more than negligible mutual inductance between the filler coils and all adjacent overlapping standard coils is present.

Abstract: A detector module for a CT imaging system is provided. The detector module includes a sensor element to convert x-rays to electrical signals. The sensor element is coupled to a data acquisition system (DAS) via an interconnect system, the DAS comprised of an electronic substrate and an integrated circuit. The interconnect system couples the sensor element, electronic substrate, and integrated circuit by way of a contact pad interconnect together with a wire bond interconnect or an additional contact pad interconnect.

Abstract: A CT detector includes a first detector configured to convert radiographic energy to electrical signals representative of energy sensitive radiographic data and a second detector configured to convert radiographic energy to electrical signals representative of energy sensitive radiographic data and positioned to receive x-rays that pass through the first detector. A logic controller is electrically connected to the first detector and the second detector and is configured to receive a logic output signal from the second detector indicative of an amount of a saturation level of the first detector, compare the logic output signal to a threshold value, and output, based on the comparison, electrical signals from the first detector, the second detector, or a combination thereof to an image chain.

Abstract: A digital optical microscope includes a primary image sensor that generates a primary image of a sample at a primary frame rate, an auxiliary image sensor that generates an auxiliary image of the sample at an auxiliary frame rate that is faster than the primary frame rate, and a controller that adjusts a focal distance between an objective lens and the sample along an optical axis in response to the auxiliary image, thereby autofocusing the primary image on the sample. The primary image sensor generates the primary image in response to the autofocusing.

Abstract: A CT detector capable of energy discrimination and direct conversion is disclosed. The detector includes multiple layers of semiconductor material with the layers having varying thicknesses. The detector is constructed to be segmented in the x-ray penetration direction so as to optimize count rate performance as well as avoid saturation. The detector also includes variable pixel pitch and a flexible binning of pixels to further enhance count rate performance.