Abstract: An ambulance-compatible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for on-site emergency diagnosis includes a mid-field super-conducting head-only magnet including a bore and an active shield arranged relative to the magnet, a passive shield arranged relative to the magnet, the passive shield including a first flange arranged adjacent to a first side of the magnet bore, a second flange arranged adjacent to a second side of the magnet bore, wherein the first flange and the second flange are electrically connected to each other, and wherein the passive shield is operative to capture flux extending out from the magnet bore and return the flux to the magnet. An asymmetric head gradient assembly for generating magnetic gradient field in the mid-field super-conducting magnet is also provided, the magnetic gradient field being between 100-150 mT/m or having a slew rate between 400-800 T/m/s.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance (MRI) system and sub-system are provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a magnet-gradient assembly, an RF shield-body coil assembly and a pediatric MRI sub-system. The pediatric MRI sub-system includes an infant warmer or isolette having a patient section for accommodating a patient. The infant warmer is positionable relative to the magnet-gradient-body coil assembly of the pediatric MRI system. The pediatric MRI sub-system also includes a warming mattress arranged within the patient section of the infant warmer. The infant warming mattress includes an interior space filled at least partially with a host medium and a conduction heating system at least partially arranged in the interior space to conduct heat to the interior space of the infant warming mattress. The pediatric MRI system also includes at least one local radio frequency (RF) coil that is positionable within the patient section of the infant warmer.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to image a portion of a patient. The pediatric MRI system also includes a cryo-cooling mechanism operatively coupled to the RF coil. The cryo-cooling mechanism is configured to maintain a temperature of the RF coil within a prescribed temperature range.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a magnet (9), an isolette (14) including a patient section for accommodating a patient, the isolette positionable relative to the magnet; and a radio frequency (RF) array (10) positionable within the patient section of the isolette (14). The RF array (10) includes a plurality of coils configured for simultaneous imaging of different portions of a patient, the plurality of coils being distinct from one another.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus includes a first air pathway for receiving ambient air and channeling the air through a portion of the breathing apparatus, a heating section operatively coupled to the first air pathway and configured to elevate a temperature of the ambient air in the first air pathway to a first prescribed temperature, and a cooling section operatively coupled to the first air pathway and configured to reduce the temperature of the ambient air heated by the heating section to a second prescribed temperature, the second prescribed temperature lower than the first prescribed temperature. A breathing circuit is coupled to the first air pathway and configured to provide the cooled air to a user.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to image a portion of a patient. The pediatric MRI system also includes a cryo-cooling mechanism operatively coupled to the RF coil. The cryo-cooling mechanism is configured to maintain a temperature of the RF coil within a prescribed temperature range.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance (MRI) system and sub-system are provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a magnet-gradient assembly, an RF shield-body coil assembly and a pediatric MRI sub-system. The pediatric MRI sub-system includes an infant warmer or isolette having a patient section for accommodating a patient. The infant warmer is positionable relative to the magnet-gradient-body coil assembly of the pediatric MRI system. The pediatric MRI sub-system also includes a warming mattress arranged within the patient section of the infant warmer. The infant warming mattress includes an interior space filled at least partially with a host medium and a conduction heating system at least partially arranged in the interior space to conduct heat to the interior space of the infant warming mattress. The pediatric MRI system also includes at least one local radio frequency (RF) coil that is positionable within the patient section of the infant warmer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling a temperature within an isolette includes obtaining a temperature of ambient air external to the isolette, obtaining a base-line ambient air temperature, and calculating a maximum heater power level based on a relationship between the base-line ambient air temperature and the actual ambient air temperature.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging sub-system for treating neonates is disclosed. The subsystem includes a radiographic compatible incubator for providing a controlled environment for a neonate, a radiographic compatible RF coil selectively coupled to the incubator for providing radiographic imaging of the neonate, and a radiographic compatible trolley for transporting the incubator and the RF coil. Additionally, the sub-system can include a radiographic MR compatible vital signs monitor, a radiographic compatible infusion pump, a radiographic compatible injector, a radiographic compatible ventilator, a radiographic compatible blender, radiographic compatible intravenous pole, tanks, pressure reducers/gauges and flow pipes.

Abstract: A first X-ray detector (203) is positioned to detect at least the X-rays that intersect the center of rotation (201) for an object (205) with respect to an X-ray source (202). A second X-ray detector (207) is then positioned to detect X-rays that do not overlap with the X-rays as are detected by the first X-ray detector as well as X-rays (210) that intersect a periphery of a circle (209) that circumscribes an outer extreme boundary (208) of the object to be scanned.

Abstract: One directs an X-ray fan beam (202) towards a target (205). A first linear array of detectors (207) serve to detect X-ray fan beam scatter (401) as occurs when at least portions of the X-ray fan beam interact with the target. The resultant scatter-based target information is then used to form a two-dimensional view of the target.

Abstract: One provides (101 and 102) two or more X-ray sources (202 and 204) that are independent and discrete from one another. By one approach, these X-ray sources emit corresponding X-rays (203 and 205) using different voltage levels. In particular, these voltage levels can be sufficiently different from one another to readily permit different elements as comprise an object (201) being examined to be distinguished from one another. These X-rays are then emitted (106) from these sources and towards an object to be examined while causing relative motion (207) between such sources on the one hand and the object on the other.

Abstract: Relative movement about an axis of rotation is caused as between an energy source/detector array with respect to an object (where the object can comprise either an object to be projected to facilitate a study of the object or a calibration object to be projected as part of calibrating usage of the energy source/detector array). The energy source/detector array are used during this relative movement to scan the object and to obtain corresponding object project data. That object projection data is then used to determine a parameter as corresponds to at least one scanning geometry characteristic as corresponds to using the energy source and the corresponding detector array while causing the aforementioned relative movement to scan the object.

Abstract: An X-ray apparatus is provided for inspecting a cargo container. The apparatus includes a moveable platform with an X-ray source and X-ray detector disposed on the platform on opposing sides of a scanning zone where the scanning zone may be moved along a length of the cargo container to scan a volume of the cargo container, said X-ray source being disposed in a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the scanning zone. The X-ray apparatus also includes a precollimator disposed on the X-ray platform between the X-ray source and scanning zone, said precollimator being located proximate the scanning zone and an intermediate collimator disposed midway between the X-ray source and the precollimator, said intermediate collimator having a spaced-apart relationship with respect to the precollimator and to the X-ray source.

Abstract: A multi-tune radio frequency (RF) coil for concurrent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is disclosed. The multi-tune RF coil includes a first end ring having a generally annular opening and a first plurality of elongated segments coupled to and positioned circumferentially around the first end ring. The first plurality of elongated segments are azimuthally offset from one another by a substantially equal angular distance. A second RF coil includes a second end ring having a generally annular opening and a second plurality of elongated segments coupled to and positioned circumferentially around the second end ring. The second plurality of elongated segments are azimuthally offset from one another by a substantially equal angular distance.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) pediatric coil for magnetic resonance/imaging analysis is disclosed. The coil includes a first end ring having a generally annular opening, and at least one of a second end ring and an end cap. An anterior extension is formed on the first end ring and on the at least one of the second end ring and the end cap. A plurality of elongated segments are coupled to and positioned circumferentially around the first end ring and the at least one of the second end ring and the end cap to form a coil volume. A first elongated segment and a second elongated segment are spaced about the anterior extension to facilitate access into the coil volume. The coil can be implemented as a standalone coil, or it can be operatively coupled to an incubator to increase the resolution of magnetic resonance scans of a neonate inside the incubator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for extending a dynamic range of an X-ray imaging system. The method includes the steps of detecting a plurality of X-ray beams, amplifying each of the plurality of detected X-ray beams using a first gain value, amplifying each of the plurality of detected X-ray beams using a second gain value, and forming an X-ray image from the detected X-ray beams amplified by the first gain value and from the detected X-ray beams amplified by the second gain value.

Abstract: An RF coil array is provided with increased S/N over the entire imaging FOV. The array design includes a first RF coil spanning the entire FOV, second and third RF coils which together span the entire FOV such that the entire system provides improved S/N over the imaging FOV. An aspect of the invention is the unusual combination of coils in one integrated structure, that are well isolated from one another and maintain preferred current distributions and mode orientations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for imaging time resolved fluorescence in biochemical and medical samples. In a primary aspect, the device includes a lens of large aperture, a flash lamp in the illumination path, a fast-acting solid state shutter or a gated detector in the emission path, a device for delivering homogenous monochromatic illumination to a plurality of wells distributed within a microwell plate, a digital camera of high quantum efficiency, and a computer under computer control, the lamp is pulsed at short intervals. The fast-acting emission shutter or gated detector operates to limit exposure of the camera to a period some microseconds after the extinction of each lamp pulse, during which only delayed fluorescence is transmitted to the camera. The invention achieves simultaneous time resolved imaging of a plurality of samples, with high sensitivity and high throughput.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus are described for inspecting a cargo container. The method includes the steps of disposing an X-ray source and an X-ray detector on opposing ends of a rotatable boom, rotating the boom in a horizontal plane so that the X-ray source and X-ray detector straddle the cargo container and providing translational relative movement between the boom and cargo container while the X-ray source irradiates the container and the X-ray detector detects and measures X-ray energy passing through the container from the X-ray source.