Abstract: This invention relates to a filtration apparatus and method for the separation of microscopic entities from a fluid (liquid or gas) and subsequent visual or imaging microscopic analysis of the entities separated thereon either directly or after treatment of the entities whilst on the apparatus in order to enhance their subsequent visualization and/or imaging. Such treatment can comprise reaction with reagents contained in other solutions that can be made to imbibe and/or pass through the filtration apparatus and which can be washed with solutions that can be made to imbibe and/or pass through the filtration apparatus. An example of a specific area of application is in the microbiological testing of fluids in order to detect, identify and/or enumerate microorganisms contained in a fluid test sample.

Abstract: A golf ball marker carrier has an elongated element having at least two through bores to accommodate a shoe shoelace so that the carrier can be affixed to a shoe. A golf ball marker is affixed to the elongated element in the form of a snap fastener in which the removable snap of the fastener constitutes the golf ball marker. Included is a method for affixing the golf ball marker carrier to a shoe.

Abstract: A halftone screen generator, a halftone screen and a method for making the halftone screen are described. The halftone screen has a screen angle and rulings that define the theoretical centers of gravity of the halftone dots. The actual centers of gravity of the halftone dots are displaced from the theoretical centers of gravity by the length and angle of random phase vectors. In one example, the positional displacement of the centers of gravity of the dots is dot size dependent in an inverse relationship. The shift in dot centers of gravity away from the theoretical centers of gravity defined by the halftone screen effectively breaks up screen "patterning" and avoids objectionable halftone "graininess".

Abstract: A device and method for coaxial breast biopsy utilizing a rigid rod. The suspected cancer is pierced by a rigid rod which stabilizes the cancer in the path of a cutting cannula and provides mechanical guidance for the cannula as it incises a cylinder of tissue centered on the rod. The rigid rod has retractable anchor hooks and a spiked collar to slide over the rod. The cancer is bracketed by the anchor hooks distally and the spiked collar proximally to stabilize it on the rod and mark its position for excision by the cannula. Associated tools enable insertion and positioning of the rod with anchor hooks and the spiked collar while the cutting cannula employs an internally situated snare wire to sever the specimen from the breast once it has been incised by the cannula. A reel mechanism or hemostat is used to tighten the snare wire. The location of the biopsy within the breast is marked with a spring clip and clip injector in case further therapy is required.

Abstract: A fast off-line image processing method for radiographic images is disclosed wherein an image is decomposed into detail image and multiple resolution levels and a residual image, detail images are modified up to a preset resolution level and a processed image is reconstructed by means of the modified detail images and the residual image. Interactive processing is performed with different parameter settings.

Abstract: A font compression method and apparatus operates by: compressing different components of a font file with separate compressors having varying compression schemes to produce a plurality of intermediate compressed data sets; separating compressed glyph table components of the font file into different ones of the intermediate compressed data sets; and further compressing the intermediate compressed data sets to produce corresponding compressed output data sets. A corresponding decompression method and apparatus is used to decompress fonts which have been compressed using the above method.

Abstract: A specimen processing method and cassette utilizes an open-topped, perforated collection cradle (12) and a flat, perforated embedding pedestal (10) which snap together in a male/female relationship to enclose and orient a specimen (14) during chemical processing. After chemical processing, the embedding pedestal (10) enables a specimen to be embedded in exactly the same plane as the cutting plane of a microtome during sectioning. This minimizes the number of sections required for histologic evaluation and eliminates the need for mechanical handling of the tissue specimen after its initial collection.

Abstract: A damper system has a rotatable, damper blade pivotally mounted within a damper body. The inner wall of the damper body has a plurality of inwardly, radially extending pins over which is fitted a generally U-shaped sealing channel. The sealing channel comprises two members each of which is held in compression against the inner wall of the damper body by adjustable hold-down blocks.

Abstract: A method to grow diamond crystal by an utilization of liquid template on which carbon precursor is deposited. The liquid template is to replace the conventional solid template to improve the quality and the size of the diamond crystal through the inherent property of the liquid. Its ideal smoothness, its amorphosity and therefore, an absence of the grain boundary, and its high surface mobility for carbon aggregation to form diamond crystal, thus to grow diamond crystal.

Abstract: A wireless, dynamically and autonomously reconfigurable link layered communication network and method. The network self-optimizes communication paths within the network. A plurality of communication nodes form the network with each node having a transceiver for receiving and transmitting messages. Prioritized routing lists to all other nodes are stored at each node and updated. Each communication node can be an origination node and a destination node as well as serving as message repeater nodes.

Abstract: A method for verifying the modulation depth of a digital radiographic read out system. The system reads a radiation image by line-wise scanning a photostimulable phosphor screen that has been exposed to the radiation image. The radiation image includes an image of a phantom that has at least one x-ray opaque grating with parallel lines and a stepwise evolving spatial frequency. SWR values are determined by analyzing the x-ray image of the phantom. These SWR values are compared with acceptance values and the results of the comparison are used to adjust the scanning read out system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reproducing medical images so that optimal image quality for diagnosis is obtained through the use of a specific relation between digital signal values and corresponding density values in the hard copy and by means of a preliminary evaluation of the histogram of the image before reproduction.

Abstract: A halftone screen and method for generating halftones representing a continuous tone image, wherein the number of halftone dots per unit area varies non-proportionally with the tone values utilized as inputs to the screening process. The method incorporates an implicit gradation compensation as part of the frequency modulation halftoning itself to correct for the additional tone gain due to recording, plate processing and/or printing, as well as aesthetic corrections. This implicit compensation has the advantage that no external compensation is required, thereby maintaining the number of tone values which can be rendered on a digital system. Finally, the implicit gradation compensation enables the combination of page elements rendered according to either "conventional" or "frequency-modulated" halftoning techniques with appropriate tone-matching.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a biopsy on a human breast. The inventive device and method includes a K-wire positionable through a lesion to be removed. A widening incision is made in the breast and permits concentric positioning of a cylindrical cannula to a point above the lesion. The cannula is advanced into the breast about the lesion to cut a cylindrical incision therearound. A snare wire is concentrically positioned over the cannula and tensioned to effect severing of a cylindrical volume of tissue within the cannula for removal from the breast.

Abstract: A method for quantitative verification of line-wise scanning geometry in a digital radiographic read out system. An x-ray transparent phantom substrate with an embedded ruler having a number of equidistant parallel strips that are opaque on top of a photostimulable phosphor screen so that the ruler is parallel with the direction of line-wise scanning. After x-ray exposure and scanning, the position in the scanning direction of the center of each ruler strip is computed. At least one of the following parameters is determined: average pixel sampling distance, geometric distortion value, and total scanned width.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing the contrast of a digital image bya) decomposing said original image into a sequence of detail images or into an array of coefficients representing detail strength at multiple resolution levels and a residual image,b) modifying each pixel of each-detail image or each detail coefficient according to at least one non-linear monotonically increasing odd conversion function,c) constructing said processed image by accumulating detail obtained from said modified detail images or from said detail coefficients, and further adding said residual image.

Abstract: A method for printing by thermal sublimation is provided, comprising the steps of: 1) supplying uncorrected input data I.sub.i,u to a processing unit of a printer having a head with a plurality of heating elements; 2) obtaining density correction means M.sub.i,d for improving across-the-head uneveness according to the steps of: a) activating each heating element with power compensated input data, so that a same time-averaged power is generated in each heating element; b) measuring the printing density of pixels; c) estimating for each heating element the deviation .delta..sub.i of the density from a density aimed at by applying said power; d) calculating for each heating element a density correction means M.sub.i,d taking into account said deviation .delta..sub.i ; e) storing each of said density correction means M.sub.i,d ; 3) combining the respective uncorrected input data I.sub.i,u with the respective density correction means M.sub.i,d ; 4) providing the thus corrected data to the thermal head.

Abstract: A device and method for coaxial breast biopsy utilizing a rigid rod. The suspected cancer is pierced by a rigid rod which stabilizes the cancer in the path of a cutting cannula and provides mechanical guidance for the cannula as it incises a cylinder of tissue centered on the rod. The rigid rod has retractable anchor hooks and a spiked collar to slide over the rod. The cancer is bracketed by the anchor hooks distally and the spiked collar proximally to stabilize it on the rod and mark its position for excision by the cannula. Associated tools enable insertion and positioning of the rod with anchor hooks and the spiked collar while the cutting cannula employs an internally situated snare wire to sever the specimen from the breast once it has been incised by the cannula. A reel mechanism or hemostat is used to tighten the snare wire. The location of the biopsy within the breast is marked with a spring clip and clip injector in case further therapy is required.

Abstract: This patent relates to instrumentation for confirming the position of a target, frequently in the head, at the isocenter of a linear accelerator or other beam delivery system. Typically, the anatomical target is determined by CT, NMR, angiographic, X-ray, or other imaging means. The position of the target and the coordinates of the target are referenced to a head fixation means. That head fixation means is subsequently attached to the beam delivery system, such as a linear accelerator (LINAC). To simulate the position of the target prior to putting the patient there, this rectilinear phantom pointer can be used. It has three coordinate slide scales on it that are orthogonal and are calibrated with distant scales. Moving these three scales positions a radiopaque marker to stand at the phantom point of the actual anatomical target. This enables direct confirmation of patient positioning and centering of the beam isocenter at the desired target.

Abstract: A damper system has a rotatable, damper blade with a peripheral extending generally U-shaped channel edge seal fitted over the damper blade's peripheral edge. The channel edge seal comprises two edge seal members that are held together in tension by two retainers through which extend the damper blade shafts.