Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for medical imaging of parts of a patient in which imaging data acquisition is gated by a combination of electrocardiogram (ECG) and peripheral pulse (PPU) signals from the patient. The methods of the invention include obtaining ECG signals from a patient in a medical imaging apparatus, obtaining PPU signals from the patient, providing one or more synchronization signals in dependence on both the ECG signals and the PPU signals, wherein the synchronization signals indicate occurrences of pre-determined phases of the cyclic movements of the heart only if the PPU signals also indicate that the determined heart phase is physiologically possible, and controlling the medical imaging apparatus in dependence on the synchronization signals to collect imaging data synchronized with cyclic movements of the heart from the patient in the examination zone and to reconstruct a medical image of a part of the patient from the collected imaging data.

Abstract: A simple, low cost ultrasound beamforming system uses an analog random access memory (RAM) element for each beamforming channel. The system includes a processor and an ultrasonic transducer array. The ultrasonic transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements, each transducer element associated with one of a plurality of channels. The system also includes a beamformer adapted to receive an output signal from each of the plurality of transducer elements, and a delay element located in the beamformer and associated with each of the channels, where the delay element comprises an analog random access memory element.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprising an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound imaging device incompatible with the transducer and a transducer adapter including an adapter-transducer connector to connect to a transducer connector of the ultrasound transducer, a system connector to connect to an ultrasound connector of the ultrasound imaging device, and an interface to provide compatible electrical information signals to/from the ultrasound transducer from/to the ultrasound imaging device via the connectors.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying persons who are authorized to activate one or more vehicle mechanisms uses both an implicit identification of a face and an explicit identification of speech or a gesture. This system and method enables identification to be performed where a single identification is otherwise unable to perform the identification for some reason and improves the reliability and accuracy of an identification so that only authorized persons can activate the vehicle mechanisms. Vehicle mechanisms that can be activated using this multimodal identification system and method include, for example, automatic locks, automatic windows, a trunk lock, a vehicle engine, outdoor or interior lights, and a vehicle alarm.

Abstract: A system and method for fundamental real-time imaging of the non-linear response of tissue perfused with a contrast agent are disclosed. An image with increased sensitivity to non-linear responses can be achieved by detecting the ultrasound response at the fundamental frequency from tissue perfused with a contrast agent and excited by multiple excitation levels. The responses detected from the multiple excitation levels may be gain corrected in an amount corresponding to the difference in magnitude of the excitation levels, then mathematically combined. The mathematical manipulation serves to remove linear responses to the fumdamental excitation from the detected image. An ultrasonic contrast agent and tissue imaging system can be implemented with a transducer, first and second transmitters, a receiver, a control system, a processing system and a display.

Abstract: A rendering system includes a rendering unit (2) and a data processing unit (1) for the processing of a multi-dimensional object data set. The data processing unit is arranged to sample a surface model of the object data set. The successive representations of the surface model from the respective viewing directions are shown on the rendering unit. For the last viewing direction indicated, that is, the final direction, the representation of the multi-dimensional object data set is shown as viewed from the final direction.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device having a bipolar transmitter to generate a bipolar voltage signal, a transducer to emit an ultrasound wave in response to the bipolar voltage signal, and a bias generator to bias the bipolar voltage signal prior to being received by the transducer so that the biased bipolar voltage signal maintains a same polarity as a poling polarity of the transducer throughout a transmit cycle of the ultrasound imaging device. By biasing the bipolar voltage signal to maintain a same polarity as the poling polarity of the transducer throughout the transmit cycle, the ultrasound imaging device prevents depoling of the transducer which could otherwise occur if the transducer is driven by a bipolar voltage signal which repeatedly has a polarity opposite to the poling polarity of the transducer.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound diagnostic device dynamically collecting diagnostic data from a patient and, once the portable ultrasound diagnostic device determines that collecting the diagnostic data is complete, the portable ultrasound diagnostic device transmits the diagnostic data using a communication channel to a person at another location to analyze the diagnostic data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe uses one or more ribbon cables to attach the transducer elements to the probe wiring. Electrical conductors within a first ribbon cable attach to corresponding lands on an end of an integrated circuit and, electrical conductors within additional ribbon cables attach to corresponding lands on circuit boards. The circuit boards distribute the electrical signals from the attached ribbon cables to additional lands on another end of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-voltage generator which is proportioned so as to realize a particularly low weight in combination with a high output power and is suitable notably for use in rotating X-ray systems such as computed tomography apparatus. To this end, the high-voltage generator is provided with a hybrid insulation which is formed as far as possible by a high resistance foam (30 to 35) and an insulating liquid (50). The foam is shaped and arranged in such a manner that there are formed channels (40 to 45) wherethrough the insulating liquid (50) can flow in areas requiring a discharge of heat or an electric strength stronger than can be endured by the high- resistance foam alone.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device temperature compensation control system and associated methodologies that controls the contrast voltage provided to the LCD device based on the ambient temperature to enable the LCD to display data beyond the normal, manufacturer-specified operational temperature range. The LCD contrast ratio is dependent upon ambient temperature and contrast voltage. The invention controls the contrast voltage supplied to the LCD device such that it operates in either a standard or extended operating range based on ambient temperature to achieve an optimum contrast ratio. The invention may also adjust the frame rate and/or data inversion state of the displayed data.

Abstract: The invention sets forth an RF-safe invasive device which is intended to cooperate with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and which contains at least one long conductor for a specific purpose, e.g., the localization of the RF-safe device in an object under test. It is known that in such devices with long conductors during RF transmission of the magnetic resonance apparatus a standing RF wave along the conductors may build up which causes dangerous heating of the device and surrounding tissue. It is the object of the invention to provide a construction applicable to such devices such that the heating of the conductor and surrounding tissue is avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for processing an image representing a tubular structure having walls, comprising steps for determining a flight path (EP) inside this tubular structure between a first and a second predetermined end points, said flight path being both the shortest path between said end points and the farthest from the structure walls (NB1). Said steps may comprise locating the structure wall points, determining a surface at a predetermined constant distance from said wall points, inside the structure, for forming a central region (CR), and determining, in said central region, the shortest path (EP) between the first and second end points.

Abstract: In medical MRI apparatus it is often desirable to maintain a connection with the patient 58 to be examined, for example in order to observe the patient by means of a television camera 62 or to monitor physical functions like the heart rate or blood pressure. It is often necessary to use electrically powered connection equipment 62, 64 which is located in or very close to the imaging area 29, the supply lines 66, 68 also being located in the imaging area so that the (precisely defined) fields required for imaging would be disturbed thereby. According to the invention the supply lines are subdivided into segments 72-i, each of which has a length shorter than ¼ of the wavelength of the RF field; these segments are separated from one another by inductances 74-i. Consequently, the supply line does not present itself as an energy absorbing conductor to the RF field, so that the RF field is not disturbed thereby.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a serpentine conductor track extending through a plurality of conductor layers and having ends coupled to first and second circuit elements, the ends being in opposing outermost ones of the conductor layers. The serpentine conductor track can selectively be made to be (i) continuous and electrically couple the first and second circuit elements together or (ii) discontinuous so that the first and second conductor elements are not electrically coupled. In the latter case, the discontinuity can be formed in any one of the conductor layers and a bridging conductor track is further formed in that one conductor layer which is coupled to the serpentine conductor track and which bypasses either of the first and second circuit elements. This structure has the advantage that circuit changes can be made in any conductor layer.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a driver's attention to driving a vehicle includes a camera having a field of view wherein a driver's face is positioned in the field of view of the camera. The system also includes a gaze and facial pose determiner coupled to the camera which receives signals corresponding to images of the driver's face for analysis. The gaze and facial pose determiner determines whether the gaze and facial pose of the driver are oriented in a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. The system also includes an alarm responsive to the gaze and facial pose determiner for advising the driver that his gaze and facial pose are not oriented in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sub-beamforming method and apparatus are applied to a portable, one-dimensional ultrasonic imaging system. The sub-beamforming circuitry may be included in the probe s assembly housing the ultrasonic transducer, thus minimizing the number of signals that are communicated between the probe assembly and the portable processor included in the imaging system. Including the sub-beamformer in the probe assembly also relieves the portable processor of some of the signal processing tasks. The sub-beamforming apparatus may be implemented digitally or may be implemented using analog components.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device including a display which displays an ultrasound image of an object (such as a portion of a body of a patient) and a soft keyboard displayed on the display, which enables entering of identification information relating to the ultrasound image. The soft keyboard replaces the ultrasound image during an identification entry mode, to easily enable the entry of the identification information. The identification information may be patient identification information or date/time information, for example. The ultrasound imaging device may include software which enables the soft keyboard to be displayed in a plurality of different languages.

Abstract: An imaging modality, in particular a mobile CT system, comprises an imaging system for imaging an object to be examined. The imaging modality is also provided with an image guided surgery system which includes a position measuring system for measuring positions within the object and a data processor for deriving a transformation between positions within the object and the corresponding positions in the image. The position measuring device is also arranged to measure the position of the imaging system and the data processor is arranged to derive the transformation from the position and/or orientation of the imaging system. The position measuring system is notably an optical position measuring system which is arranged to measure the position of the gantry of the CT system. The data processor is arranged to derive the transformation from the measured position of the gantry.

Abstract: MR elastography is a non-invasive imaging modality in which a visco-elastic region (such as the human breast) is excited by mechanical waves. Present-day approaches are based on transverse waves and on other assumptions which produce artefacts when there are longitudinal wave or reflections within that region. The invention is based on the insight that the results of the MRE measurement are the time-independent solution of the partial differential equations describing exactly the behavior of mechanical waves in visco-elastic material (even for longitudinal waves and in a reflecting environment). Therefore, Young's modulus contained in these equations can be calculated. Moreover, it is proposed to use (predominantly) longitudinal waves. Longitudinal waves are capable of penetrating the human breast, whereas transverse waves are not.