Abstract: A low cost method for operating a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp including a ballast circuit. The method includes generating DC in an AC-to-DC converter, capturing any AC ripple of the DC with a buffer capacitor to generate a control signal, generating a high frequency lamp power signal from DC utilizing an HF inverter circuit and modulating the high frequency power signal utilizing the control signal to generate a frequency swept lamp power signal to drive the lamp while avoiding acoustic resonance.

Abstract: To minimize the time and resources typically associated with collision detection in a single channel communications system, this invention provides a method and apparatus for a collision based protocol that assures that one device in the system always wins a collision conflict. A device in accordance with this invention that is assured of always winning a collision conflict need not contain a collision detector, nor the storage resources typically used to buffer the effects of a collision. The device is also always assured of continuous transmission access once its transmission begins. This continuous transmission access is particularly well suited for high speed data access devices such as magnetic disks, laser discs, and the like, that access data continually as the disk passes by their read heads.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a scannogram for a computed tomography apparatus. During the acquisition of the measured values for the scannogram, the scanning unit or the radiation source rotates about the examination zone and a 3D data set is reconstructed from the measured values acquired during the acquisition. A synthetic projection image which acts as the scannogram can be calculated from such a 3D data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for localizing objects in turbid media. The device can be used for optical mammography. In optical mammography the interior of the part of the breast to be examined is imaged. The device includes a holder for receiving the part of the breast of a female. This holder is provided with light sources and photodetectors. The holder also contains a matching liquid in order to provide an optical coupling between the light sources and the part of the breast and as well as an optical coupling between the part of the breast and the photodetectors. In order to obtain such images, the part of the breast of a female to be examined is positioned in the holder and a resilient sealing ring is placed around the part of the breast and the upper side of the holder. The resilient sealing ring improves the filling of the holder with matching liquid, thus reducing imaging artefacts in the reconstructed images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray source that is provided with a liquid metal target and an electron source (3) for the emission of an electron beam (4) through a window (23) of a duct section (51) wherethrough the liquid metal target flows in the operating condition. The X-ray source is notably characterized in that the duct section (51) is formed by a first duct segment (10, 20) that includes the window (23) and wherethrough the liquid metal target flows, and by a second duct segment (30, 40) wherethrough a cooling medium flows and which is connected to the first duct segment in such a manner that the area in which the electron beam acts on the first duct segment is cooled.

Abstract: This disclosure defined by this invention sets forth an X-ray detector including a scintillator. The scintillator is formed with a doped alkali halogenide and is constructed with an array of photodiodes including at least one photodiode containing a semiconductor material with a color transformer. The color transformer contains a photoluminescent phosphor and may be arranged between the scintillator and the array of photodiodes. One benefit of the scintillator, and an x-ray detect which includes the scintillator, is that it enables a larger part of the X-radiation to be used for image analysis.

Abstract: This invention includes methods and apparatus for browsing markup language documents from within the context of a client-server application running on an end-user device. Browser functionality, which is configured according to user profile information specifying each user's authorization and preferences, is embedded in the application, and can be activated by application controls. While some users have unrestricted authorization and access, others are restricted to certain browser functions and to certain allowed network resources. This restriction is enforced by preventing the browser functionality from generating network addresses that are not on a list of allowed network addresses also present in the user profile information. Network access restriction is achieved, in part, by filtering markup language documents before display to delete linking information that is not allowed. Document filtering methods are presented for Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and extensible Markup Language (XML) documents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply unit with an inverter which co-operates with a resonant circuit (L, C) and can be controlled so as to adjust the output power by means of a control unit (6).

Abstract: Carriers for medical facilities, in particular patient tables, sometimes require a large range of displacement. This situation occurs, for example, in interventional MRI where a patient is to be transferred from an operating table to an MRI table which is situated at some distance therefrom. Components of the table may not form obstacles on the floor of the room and the stiffness and stability of the table construction must be maintained. A carrier for medical facilities includes two adjacent box-shaped spaces provided in the floor of the treatment room, said spaces being separated by a partition. One space accommodates only two rails which carry the pedestal of the table but no other components of the displacement mechanism for the table. The other space contains the further components of the displacement mechanism. A guide member protrudes through the partition, via a sealing device so as to guide the movement of the table.

Abstract: A biopsy needle guide in accordance with the invention is configured for attachment to an ultrasound transducer. The biopsy needle guide is arranged in two sections, an inner attachment block and an outer attachment block. The inner attachment block includes (i) a coupler which attaches the inner attachment block to the ultrasound transducer and (ii) a first engagement structure which extends from a surface thereof. The outer attachment block includes a biopsy needle guide through hole and a second engagement structure. The second engagement structure releasably mates with the first engagement structure even when the inner attachment block is covered by a sterile film sheath.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for analyzing and characterizing a time-limited waveform to avoid significant delays and miscalculations due to the presence of spurious transitions. In an example implementation, a processor is adapted to sense the signal and interpret various parameters of the waveform using a correlation method. In one application, the correlation method includes providing an autocorrelation function of a segment of the waveform that includes at least one period, and approximating a period of the waveform using peaks in the autocorrelation function. Other aspects of the invention involve approximating the period of the waveform by identifying a segment of the waveform having a steep slope magnitude that exceeds a certain threshold, and determining a polarity associated with the waveform.

Abstract: A feedback system includes an emitter-follower as a gain stage in the forward path. The emitter-follower has a very wide band width and does not, by itself, effectively narrow the bandwidth of an information channel in which it is used. Emitter-followers are frequently used as buffers in many gain systems so using an emitter-follower which is already present effectively reduces die area for the feedback system. In an embodiment, the feedback system includes a differentiator with a programmable zero in the feedback path. The zero in the feedback path creates a pole in the forward path and the programmed location of the zero influences the pole and controls the bandwidth of the forward path. The emitter-follower also buffers the differentiator so that it does not effect the operation of any prior gain stages in which the feedback system is used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and a device for determining the position of a medical instrument (4), introduced into the body of a patient (2), relative to a periodically moving organ (3) of the body, which method includes the steps of: a) determining the spatial position (c, r) of the medical instrument (4) and of a reference probe (6) while acquiring at the same time a periodic motion signal (E2) which relates to the periodic motion of the body organ (3), b) selecting a 3D image data set (p) from an image data base which contains 3D image data sets (p) of the body organ (3) which have been acquired pre-operatively and simultaneously with the same motion signal (E1) and are associated with individual motion phases (e1, e2, . . . ), in such a manner that that 3D image data set (p) is selected which is associated with the motion phase (e1, e2, . . .

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a compact flash technology is utilized in an ultrasound device for storing digital images. The digital images preferably are stored in a standard format, such as, for example, the JPEG format, so that no specialized software is required to access and view the images. Compact flash technology is readily available to consumers and generally is relatively inexpensive. Also, relatively low cost interfaces are available for PCs and some printers to enable the digital images stored on a compact flash disk to be easily downloaded to a PC or printer. Additionally, standard PCs typically are equipped with software that can read JPEG files. Therefore, personal users of the ultrasound device can easily download images to their PCs and access and view the images without the need for special equipment, training, or personnel.

Abstract: Fluid element device including fluid elements arranged in a matrix configuration having rows and columns with the level of fluid in each fluid element being controllable by electric force. The fluid elements include capillary tubes having electrode segments electrically insulated from one another such that each segments is receivable of a different voltage. A first voltage delivery circuit applies voltage to selected fluid elements in one or more rows of fluid elements and a second voltage delivery circuit applies voltage to selected fluid elements in one or more columns of fluid elements. The fluid level rises in the selected fluid elements to which voltage is applied by both the first and second voltage delivery circuits. The capillary tubes are structured and arranged such that the level of fluid in the selected elements can be retained independent of the application of voltage by the first and second voltage delivery circuits.

Abstract: In an X-ray examination device and a method for generating distortion-free X-ray images the imaging properties are calculated and distortions are corrected by providing at least one calibration member (7, 8) for forming a reference pattern; a correction unit (13) corrects the distortions in X-ray images on the basis of the pattern of the calibration members (7, 8) actually formed in the patient X-ray image (FIG. 4) and the calculated reference pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for storing digitized video ultrasound images in a digital memory device to enable high quality ultrasound video images to be stored in real-time. The ultrasound image acquisition and video storage system of the present invention comprises an ultrasound image acquisition component and a digital video storage component. The ultrasound image acquisition component logic acquires ultrasound images over a period of time and converts them into digital video images in real-time as the images are acquired. The digital video storage logic obtains the digital video images from the ultrasound image acquisition component and stores the digital video images in a digital storage device in real-time.

Abstract: An arbitrary waveform generator includes an arithmetic element that can access samples from a waveform sample memory and adjust values accessed from the waveform sample memory to modify waveform power or amplitude. In an illustrative embodiment of the arbitrary waveform generator, the arithmetic element is a multiplying digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that has a first input connection for receiving digitized waveform samples and has a second input connection for receiving a reference signal. An output signal from the multiplying DAC is a mathematical product of the digitized waveform samples and the reference signal. In one example, a reference digital-to-analog converter (DAC) generates the reference signal. In some examples, the digitized waveform samples are digitized samples of an analog waveform signal. In some examples, the arithmetic element is incorporated into the arbitrary waveform generator in a manner to maintain transmit signal resolution over a full range of transmit power settings.

Abstract: Transducer elements having a 2—2 or 1-3 composite structure and driven in a k31 transverse mode for small-feature size transducer arrays, which provide improved electrical impedance matching to an ultrasonic imaging system and improved acoustic matching to the human body. The transducer element includes a plurality of thin piezoceramic wafers which are electroded on opposing major surfaces. The spaced wafers are separated by a passive polymer layer in a composite structure. Methods of producing the transducer elements are also described.

Abstract: A computed tomography apparatus includes a scanning unit which is rotatable relative to an examination zone, about an axis of rotation extending through the examination zone, a radiation source for generating a radiation beam, a diaphragm arrangement which is arranged between the radiation source and the examination zone in order to form a fan beam traversing the examination zone from the radiation beam, and a two-dimensional detector arrangement including a plurality of detector elements and a part of the measuring surface of which detects primary radiation from the fan beam whereas another part of its measuring surface detects scattered radiation produced in the examination zone. Perfect acquisition of the momentum transfer spectrum is achieved in that a collimator arrangement with a plurality of lamellas is arranged between the examination zone and the detector arrangement.