Abstract: In an X-ray diagnostic installation and correction method wherein comet artifacts in the unprocessed image can be corrected, a geometrical analysis of the comet artifacts is implemented, an estimated reference value is determined from the original signal using the analysis result, an estimated detail signal is determined from the original signal using the analysis result, and the comet artifacts are corrected on the basis of the estimated reference value and the estimated detail signal.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for computed tomography, a subject is scanned with a conical ray beam emanating from a focus and the attenuated beam is detected with a matrix-like detector array. The focus is moved on a spiral path around a system axis relative to the subject, and the detector array supplies output data corresponding to the received radiation. The output data are supplied during the motion of the focus on a spiral segment and have a length adequate for the reconstruction of a CT image, and are divided into output datasets with respect to sub-segments. Segment images having an inclined image plane relative to the system axis are reconstructed for the sub-segments. The segment images respectively belonging to the sub-segments are combined into a partial image with respect to a target image plane, and the partial images are combined into a resulting CT image with respect to the target image plane.

Abstract: The method for configuring the functional properties of an audiological device in the form of a hearing aid initially provides a hearing aid with an IC that can be differently configured in view of its properties, permitting configuration upgrade information to be employed that is either distributed to middlemen via a separate data carrier or transmitted on-line from a data store of the manufacturer to a programming station of the middleman. The middleman has the possibility of himself upgrading hearing aids initially present as basic hearing aids in customized fashion, the configuration information being used for this purpose and the hearing manufacturer being paid for this.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for dynamically measuring the position, shape, size and intensity distribution of an effective focal spot of an x-ray tube, wherein at least one of these characteristics changes with respect to time, a detector array is provided that is composed of a number of detector elements, and a micro-hole collimator is disposed between the focal spot and the detector array at a distance closer to the focal spot than to the detector array. An x-ray beam emitted from the focal spot passes through an aperture in the micro-hole collimator, and produces a magnified projection of the focal spot on the detector array. The respective electrical signals from the detector elements of the detector array are sampled, and these sampled signals are combined to dynamically measure the position, shape, size and intensity distribution of the focal spot.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, in particular an iron-guided or permanently magnetic, short or open magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, has thermally highly sensitive components and a temperature controller, formed by a foil heater which is provided with a control device and can be controlled in opposition to the internal dynamic heat sources.

Abstract: In a method for sampling a received radio-frequency signal, in particular a radio-frequency signal from a receiving coil in a magnetic resonance apparatus, the received radio-frequency signal is down-mixed to a low-frequency baseband such as for image production. The radio-frequency signal from a receiving coil in a magnetic resonance apparatus is passed directly to a high clock rate analog/digital converter where it is converted, as a function of the clock, to a lower frequency, after which it is down-mixed by digital demodulation to a baseband at an even lower frequency.

Abstract: A respiratory aid system has a device arranged for connection to a living creature in order to facilitate, support and/or control the respiration of the living creature. The device can be a ventilator or a neuroelectrical stimulation device. For faster and more efficient and more accurate respiratory aid the system contains a respiration detector, devised to pick up neuroelectrical signals from the living creature, identify respiration-related signals and send a control signal, related to the identified signals, to the device.

Abstract: A metallic pulse generator housing has a tubular connector which receives a proximal lead end plug, the connector being located inside the housing and having a closed end within the housing and an open end welded or bonded to an opening in a wall of the housing. The connector is formed by a metallic barrel which is weldable or bondable to the metallic housing, the barrel being a structurally unitary tube member with a cavity containing electrical contacts for contacting contact surfaces on the lead end plug. At least one insulating substrate, on which the contacts are carried, is arranged in or on a region of a barrel wall which defines the cavity.

Abstract: Method of providing trench walls of a uniform orientation to support epitaxial growth in the trench. The trench is formed by a first etching process.

Abstract: A matrix array of recording heads, wherein each head is independent from another both in terms of its magnetic circuit and excitation conductors. Each individual head has a planar magnetic circuit and an helical coil wrapped around the lower part of the magnetic circuit. The matrix array is collectively fabricated using full thin film technology on non-magnetic substrates. Preferably, the heads are aligned in an oblique lattice with the write gaps aligned along rows and offset by a constant value along columns. Each individual head is connected to the control electronics through interconnects to the backside of the wafer, allowing independent control of the write parameters. The die forming the device is shaped on its edges and top surface to optimize head/medium positioning and minimize wear.

Abstract: In a method for producing an image of an examination subject by computed tomography using an x-ray source that moves around the examination subject for producing the image, a number of projections serving for the production of the image are registered during at least one revolution of the x-ray source around the examination subject. Motion artifacts of the image are at least reduced by identifying data representing a part of the image exhibiting a motion, and replacing that data with data complementary to the data exhibiting movement.

Abstract: In a 3D angio-volume reconstruction method for a three-dimensional subject based on 2D projection exposures, shadowing artifacts are avoided by producing a 3D angio-volume dataset based on 2D mask images and a 3D angio-volume dataset based on 2D fill images, and a vessel tree is isolated in the fill volume dataset by a segmentation and is added to the mask image volume dataset after scaling.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing beverage, such as beer, which forms a head, comprises a rotatable table on which a drinking vessel is supported, and a nozzle which is arranged to direct a stream of beverage against the side of the vessel as it rotates. This provides good control over the size of the head produced. Various parameters, such as the temperature of the beverage can be monitored during the dispense, and the apparatus controlled, by adjusting the rate of rotation of the table, the rate of dispense of the beverage, or the angle at which the beverage impacts the side of the vessel, so as to produce a desired amount of head on the dispensed beverage.

Abstract: In a method for image generation by magnetic resonance, a number of independent reception antennas having sensitivity profiles differing from one another are employed, and radio-frequency excitation pulses and gradient pulses are emitted into an imaging volume for generating location-coded magnetic resonance signals. The magnetic resonance signals are received with the reception antennas, and respective k-space data sets each having middle rows and outer rows are formed from the reception signals of the respective reception antennas. The middle k-space rows are more densely arranged than the outer k-space rows in the respective k-space data sets. An intermediate image is reconstructed from each k-space data set. The sensitivity profiles from the middle k-space data rows are determined and the intermediate images are combined dependent on the sensitivity profiles to form an overall image.

Abstract: Compressed wavelet transform coefficients are used to correct outputs of inertial sensors for gravitational deflections. The compressed wavelet transform coefficients comprise gravitational deflection data that is first converted to discrete wavelet coefficients by a discrete wavelet transform and that are then compressed to form the compressed wavelet transform coefficients. An inertial sensor signal relating to a first navigational parameter of a vehicle is generated. The compressed discrete wavelet coefficients are accessed from a memory based on a position of the vehicle. The accessed coefficients are decompressed, and an inverse discrete wavelet transform is performed on the decompressed coefficients to produce gravitational compensation data. The sensor signal is compensated based on the gravitational compensation data.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the recognition of pneumothorax using thorax MR exposures, an evaluation device segments the image of the rib cage, including its surroundings, and characterizes a zone detected between rib cage and lung, preferably in the exhaled condition, that has an MR signal elevated by a prescribed safety margin compared to the noise signal in air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for homogenizing the energy being supplied to products being cooked. The product is cooked in a cooking chamber of the apparatus on at least one receptacle or container, such as a baking tray or grill. The cooking chamber atmosphere is conducted over the container essentially along a plurality of flow paths which extend essentially parallel in relation to one another and the direction of the flow paths is periodically reversed so as to obtain a uniform heating of the products being cooked.

Abstract: For improving the light output, a light-emitting diode has at least one section of a light exit-side surface covered with a plurality of truncated pyramids. Light radiations, which are emitted by a light-generating layer, enter into the truncated pyramids through a base area and are efficiently coupled out of the sidewalls of the pyramids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device or method to determine the phenomenological regularity of the phase modulation of one or more cyclically fluctuating quantities, including the possibility to determine a regularity induced by mutual interaction. According to the invention, the regularity is determined as an autoregressive model of successive phase angles which are each defined as homogenous function of a low number of successive values of each of the cyclically fluctuating quantities. The periodicity of all functions of such phase angles permits an efficient approximation of the regularity by finite Fourier series. A skilled choice of the homogenous function (canonical phase) as well as of a related implicit estimation scheme guarantees that a good approximation of the angle dynamics results also in good reconstructions of the original dynamics.