Abstract: A hearing aid has input AGC and output AGC using only one attack/release circuit and only one variable gain amplifier. An input AGC signal and an output AGC signal are summed and the summed signal, processed through the attack/release circuit, is used to control the gain of the variable gain amplifier.

Abstract: To conduct a three-dimensional MRA study of the coronary arteries, the locations in space of the arteries is determined using a scout MR study. Segments (composed of phase-encoding lines, three-dimensional partitions, or both) are created in the volume of interest, each one relating to a particular coronary artery of interest. MR data relating to each one of the segments are acquired during a single cardiac cycle, and at times when the individual coronary arteries of interest are relatively motionless. Advantageously, a paramagnetic contrast agent is used to increase the MR signal from blood, and the study is conducted during a single breath hold.

Abstract: An anti-slip separator sheet that increases friction and reduces slippage when handling, storing and shipping goods and packages. The sheet is preferably a plastic net with polymer beads protruding from the top and bottom surfaces of the net. The polymer beads are preferably secured to the net by bonding the polymer beads to each other in the openings of the net. The polymer beads protrude from the surfaces of the net, increasing the coefficient of friction. The anti-slip net is used between goods and packages to reduce slippage.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes a winding, a magnetic core disposed within the winding, and an armature mounted for movement at a first end of the winding. At least one movable circuit contact is operably associated with the armature and movable with respect to at least one stationary contact mounted in the relay responsive to motion of the armature. An end plate is mounted at an opposing end of the winding and an insulating sheet is folded about a portion of the winding. The insulating sheet has first and second sides, with the first side being secured on one end to the end plate, and the second end disposed between the armature and the first end of the winding. An outer frame covers at least a portion of the insulating sheet. The insulating sheet functions to reduce the occurrence of voltage breakdown within the relay.

Abstract: There is provided structure and methods for use in adjusting certain design parameters of a relay during initial assembly of the relay. The structure includes an adjustment member insertable between a bobbin and a core. The adjustment member is preferably U-shaped having arms straddling the core and a backspan which acts as a stop to define the travel of an armature. A method of initially adjusting the relay includes inserting the adjustment member between the bobbin and the core and moving the armature into engagement with the backspan. The adjustment member is driven between the bobbin and core and permanently fixed in place when the desired parameters have been attained. An alternative method includes providing a relay having a motor assembly, including a bobbin and core, which may be moved about a pivot point in the relay. The armature is forced against the motor assembly until the desired design parameters are obtained and the motor assembly is then permanently fixed in place within the relay.

Abstract: A polarized electromagnetic relay includes a base, an electromagnet with a coil and a pair of pole pieces extending perpendicularly from the end of said coil, a balanced armature and spring system which when actuated pivots between two fixed contact points and a permanent magnet inducing the same magnetic poles in both of said pole pieces and providing an opposite pole in closely adjacent relationship to the central portion of the armature. A movable contact spring is fixedly connected to the armature, said spring forming contact arms at either armature end portion. Further, a flexible movable braid connects the movable contacts on said movable spring to each other and to a movable contact terminal. A pair of retaining tabs extending from a central bobbin flange engaging corresponding recesses at the lateral sides of the armature limits the movement of the armature in two directions as well as its rotation.

Abstract: A support structure for use in a hearing aid has a plurality of support stations where circuit boards may be mechanically supported. The structure is mounted to the faceplate of the aid in front of the opening where the battery is inserted. The support structure is formed by two assemblies; each assembly is made up of a circuit board and a battery terminal.

Abstract: Data from a nuclear medicine study is classified in real time into categories which include image data relating to image pixels which are essential covarient. The results of the classification process permit a determination of, e.g., whether the camera is properly positioned at an early stage of the study and long before the study is completed. It is then possible to reposition the camera so as to obtain data which will be useful. As a result, it is unnecessary to wait until the end of a prolonged study in order to determine whether the study was taken under appropriate conditions.

Abstract: One microphone of a binaural Completely-In-Canal ("CIC") hearing aid is located at the distal end of the retrieval line. This reduces coupling between the microphones and receiver. Additionally, by locating the microphone at the distal end of the retrieval line, the faceplate need not be enlarged.

Abstract: A subtraction MRA image is formed by subtracting a mask image formed from diastolic MR image data from an angiographic image formed from systolic MR image data. To permit acquisition of diastolic MR image data during regurgitation of arterial bloodflow, a saturation slab is established immediately adjacent the slice of interest and slightly overlapping it on its arterially downstream side.

Abstract: To compensate for magnetization transfer effects that result from use of a labeling pulse to label inflowing blood, at least two control pulses are used. The control pulses have a total compensating flip angle that equals the flip angle of the labeling pulse, and are applied to the same volume to which the labeling pulse is applied. Advantageously, the labeling and control pulses are adiabatic.

Abstract: Signal processing circuitry for use in medical imaging includes a flash analog-to-digital converter (FADC) for digitizing signals from a sensor; a memory for storing a plurality of digitized signals prior to a current event; and a processor for generating an adjustment signal from the plurality of digitized signals to adjust a first signal corresponding to the current event. In a fast time scale event processing, the signal processing circuitry generates an adjustment signal in near real-time corresponding to an analog error which is computed and updated from signals just prior to an event. In an alternative embodiment, the signal processing circuitry includes an FADC which generates the plurality of signals from a plurality of pseudo-event signals; and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is used for generating the pseudo-event signals between a previous event and the current event.

Abstract: A line is secured to the rotor of a potentiometer which serves as the volume control for a Completely In the Canal ("CIC") hearing aid. The patient can change the volume of the aid by rotating the line and can remove the aid from the ear canal by pulling on the line. By mounting the line on the potentiometer, more space is freed up on and in the hearing aid housing and the patient can change the volume without removing the aid from the ear canal.

Abstract: A system for programming hearing aids uitilizes a multi-electrode programming strip. The strip is inserted into the aid through a narrow slot in the faceplate; the slot is bounded by the faceplate and by one of the edges of the battery door. When the door is closed, the strip (and the electrodes thereon) is urged against corresponding terminals that are located inside the aid.

Abstract: A cylindrical alkali halide single-crystal-type ingot having an axis generally coinciding with the ?001! crystallographic direction is compressed in a heated dual platen press. To produce an approximately rectangular compressed ingot that is devoid of cracks and fissures at and adjacent the periphery, the surface of the ingot is flatted. For crystals having a face-centered lattice (e.g. NaI), the flat is parallel to the (100) crystallographic plane. For crystals having a body-centered lattice (e.g. CsI), the flat is parallel to the (110) crystallographic plane. The flat is placed on the lower platen of the press to properly orient the crystallographic structure of the ingot with respect to the direction of compression.

Abstract: The light output of an IR LED mounted on a cellular telephone is modulated by the audio output of the telephone and made incident upon a photodiode mounted to an ITE-type or canal-type hearing aid. The electrical signal output from the photodiode is routed through a bandpass filter, demodulated in a demodulator and amplified and/or processed in the hearing aid circuit.

Abstract: A SPECT study is carried out on a patient's body organ, such as the heart, and frames of image data are thereby acquired. The image data in these frames are subjected to a series of mappings and computations, from which frames containing a significant quantity of organ motion can be identified. Quantification of the motion occurs by shifting some of the mapped data within a predetermined range, and selecting that data shift which minimizes the magniture of a motion-sensitive mathematical function.

Abstract: An articulating detector array for gamma cameras is disclosed which is adaptable to perform different imaging techniques in a single apparatus. The articulating detector array is adapted to detect incident gamma radiation from diverse directions as well as Compton scattering thereof without the need of a collimator, as so has improved gamma ray detection efficiency. The detector array includes radiation detectors in an array and movable to a plurality of positions, in which each radiation detector is responsive to gamma radiation from a target for generating detection signals for use in tomographic imaging of the source. The detector array includes articulating support structures for mounting the detectors to the base and for moving the detectors from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: Techniques for conducting two-dimensional fat-saturated multislice MR studies are disclosed. The frequency of saturation pulses is varied on a slice-by-slice basis. In a second preferred embodiment, the phase, or the phase and frequency, of one or more elements of a spatially and spectrally selective MR pulse sequence are varied on a slice-by-slice basis. In a third preferred embodiment, the order in which MR image data is acquired from a plurality of slices is changed so as not to minimize the time between inadvertent saturation of the water signal in a particular slice and the acquisition of MR image data from that slice.

Abstract: A holder hermetically seals less than all of the air holes in a zinc-air dry cell and allows air to reach at least of the air holes. This greatly lengthens the lifespan of a zinc-air dry cell.