Abstract: The present invention is related to a breath pacing device (10) for pacing the respiratory activity of a subject, comprising an output unit (12) for outputting a sequence of output signals, a control unit (16) provided to control the output unit, and an input unit (14) connected to or integrated into the output unit for generating an input signal related to a respiration characteristic of a subject. The control unit is provided to control the length of the sequence at least based on characteristics of the input signal. The invention is further related to a corresponding method for pacing the respiratory activity of a subject.

Abstract: A method includes analyzing a spectral projection image of a portion of a subject, generating a value quantifying an amount of a target specific contrast material in a region of interest of the spectral projection image, and generating a signal indicative of a presence of the target in response to the value satisfying a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detection values processing apparatus. Energy-dependent detection values are provided, which are indicative of polychromatic radiation (4) after having traversed an examination zone (5). The radiation is filtered by a filter (15) which comprises K-edge filter material. A component decomposition technique is applied to the detection values for determining K-edge attenuation values being first component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by the K-edge filter material, and additional component attenuation values, which are indicative of an attenuation caused by additional components of the examination zone, wherein an image of the examination zone is reconstructed from the additional component attenuation values. An image can therefore be reconstructed, which is not adversely affected by the filter, because the K-edge attenuation values are not used for reconstructing the image. This can improve the quality of the reconstructed image.

Abstract: A medical imaging system includes a stationary gantry and a rotating gantry that rotates around an examination region about a z-axis. An air bearing rotatably couples the rotating gantry to the stationary gantry. A radiation source is affixed to the rotating gantry and rotates with the rotating gantry and emits radiation that traverses the examination region. A detector array is affixed to the rotating gantry on an opposite side of the examination region with respect to the radiation source and detects radiation traversing the examination region. A dynamic z-axis imbalance determination system determines an imbalance of the rotating gantry in the z-axis direction directly from the air bearing, and the determined imbalance is used to position a balance mass affixed to the rotating gantry in the z-axis direction, thereby balancing the rotating gantry along the z-axis.

Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field at least in a MR examination region from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region. The radiation detectors include electron multiplier elements having a direction of electron acceleration arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.

Abstract: In a device (1) for making a beverage on the basis of interaction between a beverage extract and an extracting fluid, which comprises an openable and closeable chamber (50) for receiving and accommodating a quantity of the beverage extract, and heating/cooling means (30) for setting the temperature of the extracting fluid, arranged upstream of the chamber (50), a beverage making process can be performed with extracting fluid that is exactly at a desired temperature. During heat-up or cool-down phases of the heating/cooling means (30), the extracting fluid is transported to another position than the chamber (50) where the beverage making process is supposed to take place. For the purpose of determining an appropriate path of the extracting fluid in every possible situation, valve means (60) are applied, which are switchable under the influence of a change of the flow rate of the extracting fluid.

Abstract: The invention discloses a lighting device (1) and a luminaire (3) comprising one or more lighting devices (1) mounted into a pole (2). The lighting device (1) comprises an optical module. The optical module directs the light from a light source (10) into two parts of light (L1, L2), wherein the first part of light (L1) and the second part of light (L2) are different in luminance intensity distribution. In particular, the optical module comprises a first optical element (20) directing light from a light source (10) into the first part of light (L1), and a second optical element (30) directing the light from the light source (10) into the second part of light (L2).

Abstract: A contouring module (22, 24) iteratively adjusts contours delineating a radiation target region and risk regions in a planning image. An intensity modulation optimization module (30) generates a radiation therapy plan conforming with dosage or dosage constraints (26) for the radiation target region and the risk regions delineated by the contours. A differential analysis module (40) is configured to invoke the intensity modulation optimization module (30) to estimate partial derivatives of an output of the intensity modulation optimization respective to the contours. The contouring module (22, 24) is configured to invoke the differential analysis module (40) after each iterative contour adjustment to estimate the partial derivatives respective to the contour segments and to render the contour segments on a display of the planning image with the contour segments coded based on the estimated partial derivatives to indicate impact of the contour segments on the intensity modulation optimization.

Abstract: A system, device and method include an interventional device (106) including one or more ultrasonic transducers (108) configured to generate a signal to indicate presence of a branch or bifurcation of a lumen inside a subject. A localization system (102) is configured to track the interventional device in the subject. A program module (122) is implemented by a processor to compare a position of the interventional device against a reference image (130) and to indicate the presence of the branch or bifurcation relative to the position in accordance with the signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-channel (e.g. quadrature) MRI transmit system in which RF power amplifiers having different power capabilities are used in different transmit channels. This results in reduced system costs, due to the avoidance of an unused excess of RF power capability when the power demand for obtaining a homogeneous B1-field (RF shimming) is asymmetric and the asymmetry is qualitatively the same for different imaging applications. The multi-channel transmit unit may also comprise a commutator which enables to selectively connect each RF power amplifier to each drive port of transmit coil arrangement (e.g. a birdcage coil).

Abstract: In clinical reality, the cross section of the lesions is frequently asymmetric. For clinical purposes it is crucial to find an X-ray view that gives a projection image where the minimum luminal cross section of the lesion is shown. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a system is proposed, wherein the system is adapted to perform the steps of a method of identifying modifications of an elongated element located in an object of interest. The method might comprise the steps of generating a plurality of projections of the object of interest, wherein the projections have different projection angles, determining geometrical aspects of the elongate element in each of the projections, calculating an index on the basis of the geometrical aspects, indicating projections having a desired value of the index.

Abstract: A method (600) of learning and/or optimizing clinical protocols and/or clinical guidelines. Workflow data is received (602) for a plurality of patients. The workflow data includes a plurality of care steps and relations there between for each of the patients. One or more sequences of care steps are identified (604) from the workflow data. The identification includes determining (612) one or more most common sequences of care steps from the workflow data. The identified sequences of care steps include the most common sequences of care steps. One of the identified sequences of care steps is selected (606) and employed (608) as a clinical protocol and/or to generate a clinical guideline.

Abstract: A battery adapter (100)and method (800) of making the same. The battery adapter (100) includes a resilient tray (102) that defines a receiving area (104) for one or more batteries (106)and includes one or more resilient sidewalls (108) of a resilient material configured to be compressed by the batteries (106). The battery adapter (100) further includes a flexible circuit (132)wrapped around at least a portion of an exterior of the resilient tray (102) over the resilient sidewalls(108). The flexible circuit (132) includes a first set of one or more contacts (138)disposed on the exterior of the resilient tray (102) to deliver power to an associated device (150)and a second set of one or more contacts (136) electrically coupled with the first set of contacts (138). The second set of contacts (136)is disposed on an interior of the resilient sidewalls (108) in the battery receiving area (104).

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus (500) comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (100, 200, 504) for treating a target region (526). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a display (552) for displaying treatment planning data (562). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a memory (556) containing machine executable instructions (580, 582, 584, 586, 588). The memory further contains a geometric model (572) of the high intensity focused ultrasound system. Execution of the instructions causes a processor (548) to receive (300, 400) the treatment planning data. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to render (302, 402) the geometric representation of the target region from the treatment planning data on the display. Execution of the instructions causes further causes the processor to calculate (304, 404, 406) an achievable target region (593) using the geometric model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method (120) for providing light to a room, the room comprising a wall, the method (120) comprising arranging (122) in the 122 room a light source having a light intensity control device, providing (124) a model for light intensity simulating light conditions in a first period of a day, and operating (126) the light intensity control device in accordance with the model so that light is provided to the room. Further the present invention relates to a system for providing illumination in a room, the room comprising a wall, the system comprising a light source including one or more individual light sources, the light source including a light controlling device for controlling intensity and/or direction of light and/or color of light emitted, a controller device configured to control the light controlling device in accordance with a simulation program simulating changes in daylight over a period of time.

Abstract: The resource metering system comprises: an end-point device (25) consuming a resource, in particular for usage in a building (2) or in an outdoor lighting system, said device comprising a detection unit that produces status information and an indicator of usefulness; a smart meter (20) comprising: a communication circuitry provided with an interface adapted for receiving from said device status information and said indicator of usefulness; a metrology device connected to a medium (17) that provides the resource to said device; and a control circuitry connected to the metrology device for collecting resource consumption data, the control circuitry being connected to the communication circuitry and adapted to produce monitoring data to be securely transmitted to a server (10) after processing the status information and said indicator. Monitoring data are used when determining consumption tariffs, so as to encourage energy efficient usage of the device.

Abstract: In order to easily prepare a medical diagnostic analysis of a patient, a barcode scanning device (100) is configured for determining a physiological quantity of the patient. The barcode scanning device (100) comprises a light receiving unit (108) configured for receiving light (219) reflected from a surface to be sensed of the patient, and a signal processing unit (218) configured for determining the physiological quantity of the patient based on the received light (219).

Abstract: A diverse radio receiver system includes a radio frequency (RF) circuit board, a plurality of RF receivers disposed on the RF circuit board, and switching circuitry disposed on the RF circuit board. The switching circuitry includes transmission lines and switches connecting each RF receiver with (1) a selected one antenna of a plurality of antennas and (2) an impedance matching circuit providing impedance matching of the selected one antenna with the RF receiver. The switching circuitry is configured to implement a plurality of selectable switch configurations, each switch configuration connecting each RF receiver of the plurality of RF receivers with a selected antenna of the plurality of antennas. The impedance matching circuits of the switching circuitry may comprise impedance matching transmission line stubs. The diverse radio receiver system may be configured to receive an RF signal transmitted by a wireless magnetic resonance (MR) receive coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatically configuring of a lighting created by a lighting system, particularly to creating a lighting, which follows a person, with a networked lighting system. A basic idea of the invention is to adapt the learning based processing of activations of lamps and presence detectors received as input data to changes in a system for automatically configuring lighting with a variable adaptation rate in order to make the automatic lighting configuration more robust with regard to system changes.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a radiation sensitive detector array (110). The detector array includes at least two scintillator array layers (116). The detector array further includes at least two corresponding photosensor array layers (114). At least one of the at least two photosensor array layers is located between the at least two scintillator array layers in a direction of incoming radiation. The at least one of the at least two photosensor array layers has a thickness that is less than thirty microns.