Abstract: A method of manufacturing a collimator assembly is provided. The method includes placing a first core element within a first center collimator path of a first collimator tube to create a first base-tube couple. A couple cross-section of the first base-tube couple is reduced such that the first base-tube couple becomes a first single-fiber fiber. The first single-fiber fiber is assembled into a collimator group. The first core element is dissolved such that a first hollow fiber is generated.

Abstract: An imaging coil (12) includes multiple end rings (52). A center ring (53) extends parallel to and is coupled between the end rings (52). Multiple legs (86) are coupled between the end rings (52) and the center ring (53). The end rings (52) may have a first radius (R1) that is greater than a second radius (R2) of the center ring (53). The imaging coil (12) may include more than 16 legs. The imaging coil (12) may include multiple capacitor groupings (98) coupled along the end rings (52), each capacitor grouping (98) has multiple capacitors (102) with a coverage area width (W) greater than 5.0 cm. The center ring (53) may be coupled to a ground reference (110) and has low impedance such that the center ring (53) is effectively shorted to the ground reference (110).

Abstract: A detector assembly 18 for an imaging system 10 is provided comprising a plurality of scintillator elements 50 positioned within a scintillator pack 56. The scintillator pack 56 forms a scintillator pack upper surface 58 and a plurality of scintillator pack walls 60 positioned between the plurality of scintillator elements 50. A plurality of collimator elements 64 are mounted on the scintillator pack upper surface 58. Each of the plurality of collimator elements 64 is comprised of a stack laminated base 66 mounted to the scintillator pack upper surface 58 and a cast upper wall 68 formed on the stack laminated base 66.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a dataset generator within an image controller generating a first derived member of a first dataset from an acquired member of the first dataset. The dataset generator further generates a first derived member of a second dataset from an acquired member of the second dataset. Temporal comparators within the image controller compare the first derived member of the first dataset and the first derived member the second dataset and generate a comparison signal therefrom.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging magnet assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a outer thermal shield having an operational temperature. The assembly further includes a cold sleeve assembly comprising a plurality of braid elements mounted to a cooler block and a highly thermally conductive block mounted between the cooler block and the outer thermal shield. The highly thermally conductive block is welded to the outer thermal shield and is welded to the cooler block. The highly thermally conductive block has greater thermal conductance than the outer thermal shield.

Abstract: A mammography scanning system having a detector includes an arc-shaped support system having a number of X-ray emitters coupled thereto. The X-ray emitters generate a plurality of X-ray fluxes towards a common focus at varying angles with respect to the focus. Also, each of the X-ray emitters is collimated to view an entire detector field of view.

Abstract: An X-ray tube housing with integrated cooling passages in the walls of the X-ray tube housing, through which a liquid or gas coolant is circulated and the heat is transferred from the X-ray tube housing to an external cooler. The integrated cooling passages are created around the perimeter of the X-ray tube housing as the X-ray tube housing is formed. For a rotating anode X-ray tube using an oil coolant, the path of heat transfer is from the anode to the glass insert and oil by the means of radiation. The oil that is in contact with the glass insert conducts heat away form the insert to the X-ray tube housing which is then cooled by the integrated cooling passages located within the X-ray tube housing through which fluid is passed to an external fluid cooling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging having a magnetic assembly with a main magnet, a shielding system positioned outside the main magnet, and a first and second space for positioning the imaged and non-imaged extremity. Various apparatus with distinct vessels and casings are described with a magnetic assembly and ferromagnetic shielding systems. In yet a further aspect, an apparatus for resonance imaging having additional shim elements for compensating effects from non-axisymmetrical shape of ferromagnetic shielding casing is disclosed. Additionally, an apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging is described having a dedicated space outside the imaging region and where the dedicated space has support element for resting non-image extremity as part of the structure of the imager.

Abstract: Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which non-destructive imaging is achieved, including a process for variable binning of detector elements. The process includes accepting input data indicative of image quality goals and descriptors of an imaging task, as well as parameters characterizing a test subject, relative to non-destructive imaging of an internal portion of the test subject and determining when the non-destructive imaging system is capable of achieving the image quality goals using binning of more than four pixels.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which the presence of a portable detector in a parking mechanism of mobile digital radiography system is used to change the operating mode of the portable detector and a mobile X-Ray system. An existing mobile digital X-Ray imaging system may be retrofitted with parking sensor mechanism for determining the proximity of the portable detector to the mobile digital radiography system. Also provided is a method for controlling a mobile digital imaging system having a mobile X-Ray base and having a parking mechanism for holding a detachable detector. Upon detecting the presence of the detachable detector in the parking mechanism a control signal is generated to alter the speed of the mobile unit and the power consumption status of the detachable detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a medical imaging detector by the use of triggering signals, environmental condition data, and/or determination of a variable time interval triggering event that is unique for each power consumption state. Systems and methods are provided for managing power and temperature of a device, after receiving a request for a function to be performed by the device determining an “on” trigger component, an “off” trigger component, associated circuits for performing the received function, providing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “on” trigger component, and removing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “off” trigger component. Further, an instruction is described for determining and displaying a variable time interval that is indicative of a time to change from one state to a desired state.

Abstract: An X-Ray tube is provided. The X-Ray tube includes a frame structure surrounding at least a portion of an electron beam source and an electron beam target. The frame structure has a cooling system integrated therein. The cooling system includes at least one air/fin layer; and a sub-cooled working fluid in thermal contact with the at least one air/fin layer, the sub-cooled working fluid being adapted to undergo a phase change in response to heat introduced to the frame structure by one or more of the electron beam source and the electron beam target, wherein the phase change facilitates transfer of the heat to the at least one air/fin layer.

Abstract: An field emitter array system (10) includes a housing (50). An emitter array (80) generates an electron beam and has multiple emitter elements (81) that are disposed within the housing (50). Each of the emitter elements has multiple activation connections (92).

Abstract: A method of automatically optimizing medical three-dimensional visualizations is providing, including isolating a plurality of anatomical structures within the medical three-dimensional visualization (40), calculating the number of ray intersects, that intersect more than one of the plurality of anatomical structures, for a plurality of casting angles (42), selecting an optimum casting angle that minimizes said ray intersects from one of said plurality casting angles (44), and displaying the optimized medical three-dimensional visualization from said optimized casting angle (48).

Abstract: A cooling system to cool the x-ray tube of a CT imaging system. The heat exchanger has a curved sector shape which provides a larger surface area for heat dissipation within the cover of the gantry. The axis of the cooling fans is preferably parallel to the rotational axis of the gantry.

Abstract: A heat exchanger, together with one or more associated fans, is positioned on the rotating gantry frame in order to cool the x-ray tube of a CT imaging system. An air deflector is positioned on or adjacent to the heat exchanger in order to prevent recirculatoin of heated air in the ganty.

Abstract: An x-ray generating assembly is provided comprising an x-ray source assembly mounted to a mounting element. The assembly further includes a support assembly comprising a motor element and a gear assembly in communication with the motor element. An output shaft is in communication with the gear assembly such that the output shaft rotates in response to the motor element. The mounting element is positioned around the output shaft. An electromechanical lock is engaged to the mounting element such that the electromechanical lock rotates in concert with the mounting element. The electromechanical lock has an engaged condition and a disengaged condition. The electromechanical lock engages the mounting element when the electromechanical lock is in the engaged condition such that the mounting element rotates with the output shaft. The mounting element is free to rotate when the electromechanical lock is in the disengaged condition.

Abstract: A cooling system for an imaging system includes a mounting plate having a first side and an opposing second side. The mounting plate further defines at least one opening. At least one heat conductor extends through the opening and through at least a portion of a dielectric fluid reservoir defined adjacent the second side of the mounting plate and adapted to enclose an X-Ray source. A heat sink is coupled to the first side of the mounting plate and receives at least a portion of the heat conductor.

Abstract: An x-ray tube target assembly 16 provided. The target assembly 16 includes a target plate element 18 having an impact surface 24, a target rear surface 30, an inner target bore 22, and an outer target circumference 38. The target plate element 18 defines a target plate depth 32 between the impact surface 24 and the target rear surface 30. The target rear surface 30 is formed such that the target plate depth 32 tapers from an increased target plate depth 34 at the inner target bore to a decreased target plate depth 36 at the outer target circumference 38. The target assembly 16 further includes a graphite base element 28 having a base upper surface 42 and a base rear surface 44. The base upper surface 42 is formed to mate with the target rear surface 30.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an x-ray source adapted to generate an x-ray flux. The system further includes an array of analogic computer modules, each of which contains an array of detector elements arranged to form “slices” as in a CT scanner. The analogic computer modules then process the signals from the detector elements.