Abstract: A detector framing node controls generation of radiation and radioscopic image detection Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and receives the image data by way of an image detection interface into a memory unit. The image data is output from the memory unit to host memory of the host computer through a computer communication interface and under the control of a control unit. The detector framing node selects a flat panel detector from a plurality of different flat panel detectors and the image data is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to host memory.

Abstract: An integrated high-voltage switching circuit includes a switch having ON and OFF states and having a parasitic gate capacitance. The switch consists of a pair of DMOS transistors integrated back to back and having a shared gate terminal, the drains of the DMOS transistors being connected to the input and output terminals of the switch respectively. The switching circuit further includes a turn-on circuit comprising a PMOS transistor having its drain connected to the shared gate terminal of the switch via a first diode, having its source connected to a global switch gate bias voltage terminal from which the PMOS transistor draws current, and having its gate electrically coupled to a switch gate control terminal that receives a switch gate control voltage input.

Abstract: An imaging system for performing tomosynthesis on a region of an object comprises an x-ray source, motion controller, an x-ray detector and a processing unit. The x-ray source is positioned at a predetermined distance from the object and continuously moves along a path relative to the object at a plurality of predetermined locations. The x-ray source transmits x-ray radiation through the region of the object. The motion controller is coupled to the x-ray source and continuously moves the x-ray source along the path relative to the object. The x-ray source minimizes vibration in the imaging system due to continuous movement. The x-ray detector is positioned at a predetermined distance from the x-ray source and detects the x-ray radiation transmitted through the region of the object, thus acquiring x-ray image data representative of the region of the object. The processing unit is coupled to the x-ray detector for processing the x-ray image data into at least one tomosynthesis image of the region of the object.

Abstract: A matching layer for ultrasound transducers has a gradient in impedance value from one surface to the other surface of the matching layer. The matching layer is composed of a plurality of sublayers made of composite materials and securely attached together and is disposed on the surface of the transducer element. The first sublayer adjacent to the transducer element has an impedance value less than or equal to that of the transducer element. The last sublayer adjacent to the target has an impedance value greater than or equal to that of the target. The impedance values of the sublayers decrease monotonically from the first to the last sublayer.

Abstract: A matrix coil for generating a variable magnetic field is provided, including a plurality of loops arranged in a series so as to have a substantially common axis and segmented into at least one arc-shaped segment, a variable current source for each of the arc-shaped segments, and a controller. The controller is configured to selectively vary an amount of current provided to each of the arc-shaped segments by the variable current sources so as to achieve a variable base field, one or more variable gradient fields, and one or more variable second order shim fields.

Abstract: A method for improving the accuracy of measurements made in non-contact gauging an object utilizing a detector to observe a laser line projected onto a surface of the object. A combination of detector lens f-number adjustments, surface scatter statistics, and laser coherence control are utilized to reduce speckle noise in the structured light gauge measurement system without the use of moving mechanical parts. This eliminates added mechanical motion errors and maximizes detectable laser light.

Abstract: Method and system for remotely conducting medical imaging transactions conducive to meeting the individualized imaging needs of a plurality of users are provided. The method provides a user interface configured to present a menu of prompts to a user of a respective medical imager and/or imaging equipment associated with the imager. The menu of prompts is configured to elicit information indicative of imaging performance of the medical imager and/or equipment relative to imaging preferences of the user. The method further allows transmitting the information indicative of the imaging performance over a communications network to an imaging service center. A database is configured to store the information indicative of the imaging performance of the medical imager and/or imaging equipment. The database is further configured to store the imaging preferences of the user.

Abstract: A device for use in an imaging system is provided including a direct conversion detector element configured to convert x-ray photons into electric current. The direct conversion detector element is comprised of a cathode surface, an anode surface having a plurality of anode side edges, and a plurality of detector side surfaces connecting the cathode surface to the anode surface. The plurality of detector side surfaces each have a detector depth. The device further includes a pixel array assembly positioned on the anode surface. The pixel array assembly includes a plurality of pixel side edges. Each of the plurality of pixel side edges is immediately adjacent one of the anode side edges. A guard ring is mounted around the plurality of detector side surfaces. The guard ring includes an upper ring edge, a lower ring edge, and a ring outer surface including a guard ring height.

Abstract: An electronic integrator includes a compensation circuit which maintains an output of the integrator within a desired range. The compensation circuit includes a comparator which continuously compares the integrator output to a reference value, and a correction circuit which inputs a correction signal into the integrator when the reference value has been met or exceeded. The correction signal is preferably a fixed charge which lowers the voltage in an integrating capacitor by a predetermined amount, thereby ensuring that subsequent output of the integrator is less than the reference value. Through this compensation circuit, the integrator continuously operates without interruption, including without ever having to be reset. Further, the integrator is able to integrate both positive and negative input signals regardless of their magnitude.

Abstract: An in situ breast tumor temperature profile measuring probe includes a rod, thermal sensors and electrical output leads. The thermal sensors are formed in spaced apart holes in an outer insulating layer of the rod and a common electrical input lead to provide an electrical input signal to the thermal sensors is disposed below and has portions exposed at the holes and electrically connected to the thermal sensors. The thermal sensors receive the electrical input signal from the common electrical input lead, sense the temperature of biological matter adjacent to the thermal sensors and produce an electrical output signal correlated thereto. Each electrical output lead mounted to the outer insulating layer is in electrical contact with a different one of the thermal sensors to receive the electrical output signal from the one thermal sensor and output the same.

Abstract: A medical telemetry system includes a central station having a central station receiver and a central station transmitter that both operate on a frequency bandwidth having frequency multiplexed transmission channels and guard bands. A guard band separates each of the frequency-multiplexed transmission channels. The central station receiver wirelessly receives patient data from one of the frequency-multiplexed transmission channels. The central station transmitter wirelessly transmits control data information via each of the guard bands. At least one patient monitor is provided that includes a patient monitor receiver and a patient monitor transmitter that both operate on the frequency bandwidth. The patient monitor is wirelessly connected to the central station. The patient monitor receiver is configured for wirelessly receiving the control data information from the central station transmitter via the guard bands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an image of a region of interest using a Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI) system comprises the steps of acquiring a plurality of under-sampled MR data sets from a plurality of radiofrequency (RF) coils forming an array and combining the plurality of under-sampled MR data sets to produce the image. Each of the RF coils has a non-uniform sensitivity.

Abstract: An optically nonisotropic composite material. The composite material includes two materials, a transparent bulk optical material and radiation absorbing or reflecting fibers embedded within the bulk material. The fibers are substantially parallel to one another and tend to channel the radiation along the direction of the fibers. The bulk material may be a scintillator, in which case the fibers will tend to channel scintillating radiation along the direction of the fibers. The composite material may be used in a high spatial resolution x-ray device, such as a CT scanner. The composite material may also be used in an electromagnetic radiation detection device. Advantageously, the fibers tend to channel radiation along the fibers towards photodetector cells of the radiation detection device thereby increasing spatial resolution.

Abstract: A time interval to voltage converter with very low nonlinearity for time stamping events. The converter automatically selects one of two clocks related to a reference clock and ensures that the time between an event edge to a clock edge is sufficiently large to properly operate a switch and yield very linear time-to-voltage conversion.

Abstract: A shim adapted for altering a magnetic field of a magnet includes a first material which exhibits an increase in spontaneous magnetization with an increase in temperature for a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A method reconstructs 3-dimensional information of an object from projection images of said object acquired by a digital tomosynthesis system having an x-ray source following a trajectory relative to the object and a detector. The method comprises determining mathematical relationships between Fourier Transforms of logical slices through the object and Fourier Transforms of projection images of the object. Moreover, a digital tomosynthesis system includes a detector and an x-ray source traversing a trajectory a constant distance from a plane containing the detector. A computer of the digital tomosynthesis system reconstructs 3-dimensional images of an object by determining mathematical relationships between Fourier Transforms of logical slices through the object with Fourier Transforms of projection images of the object.

Abstract: A real time imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired and communicated by the detector framing node independently of a host computer operating system. The detector framing node controls events in real time according to an event instruction sequence and communicates the received radioscopic image data to host memory through a computer communication bus. The image data is received from a selected flat panel detector of a plurality of different flat panel detectors. The detector framing node is programmable by way of a pair of JTAG loops. The JTAG loops receive programming instructions from the host computer and from a pair of JTAG ports.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a programmable detector framing node controlling generation of radiation and controlling radioscopic image detection. Radioscopic image data is acquired by the detector framing node and communicated to a host memory of a host computer independently of a host computer operating system. Image data is received from a flat panel detector and is selectively reordered according to parameters of the selected flat panel detector before communication to the host memory. The detector framing node includes an image detection interface to receive the image data and a control unit to select a predetermined portion of the image data for storage into a detector memory unit before communication to the host memory.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for processing electromyogram (EMG) input signals from an abdominal surface to detect uterine contractions. The system comprises a sensor configured to detect a uterine EMG signal and generate an EMG input signal. The system further includes a signal processor coupled to the sensor and configured to generate an EMG prediction error signal. The signal processor performs signal-processing operations on the EMG input signal to generate the EMG prediction error signal, where the EMG prediction error signal corresponds to the magnitude of at least one contraction event and the periodicity of multiple contraction events.

Abstract: Geometry of a tomosynthesis system including a detector and an x-ray source is determined using fiducial markers with non-determined positions. The geometry is determined by arbitrarily identifying at least two markers within an imaged volume, at different relative distances between the detector and the x-ray source, without having projections located on a straight line for all different source positions, and locating the projections of the markers within at least two images acquired of the imaged volume. The at least two images correspond to different positions of a focal spot of the x-ray source.