Abstract: An imaging apparatus images a first object (10), like a tip of a catheter, disposed within a second object, such as a vascular structure of a person. A three-dimensional representation of the second object including a representation of a surface (23) of the second object and the position of the first object relative to the position of the second object are provided. A projection (22) of the first object onto the representation of the surface of the second object is determined and shown to a user like a physician on a display (18). The three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object is thereby shown in a way that is very native for the user, i.e. a visualization can be provided, which allows the user to easily and accurately grasp the three-dimensional spatial relationship between the first object and the second object.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a detector module (114). The detector module includes a block (300) of a plurality of direct conversion photon counting detector pixels (122) and corresponding electronics (124, 604, 606, 132, 134 or 124, 128, 130, 134, 802) with hardware for both high energy resolution imaging mode and high X-ray flux imaging mode connected with the block of the plurality of direct conversion photon counting detector pixels. A method includes identifying a scanning mode for a selected imaging protocol, wherein the scanning modes includes one of a higher energy resolution mode and a higher X-ray flux mode, configuring a detector module, which is configurable for both the higher energy resolution mode and the higher X-ray flux mode, based on the identified scanning mode, performing the scan with the detector module configured for the mode of the selected imaging protocol, and processing scan data from the scan, generating volumetric image data.

Abstract: A braking energy recovery system (50) for an electric motor (62) comprises first regulator (52), energy storage device (54), second regulator (56), sensor (60), and controller (58). The first regulator (52) outputs a DC link voltage to the energy storage device (54). The second regulator (56) couples to the energy storage device and outputs a motor drive signal to the electric motor (62). The sensor (60) senses an operating characteristic of the electric motor. The controller (58) outputs to the first regulator an energy management signal (74) that comprises a time variant signal as a function of (i) motor speed and/or (ii) back EMF determined via the sensed characteristic, whereby the first regulator dynamically regulates the DC link voltage to maintain substantially constant an energy balance that comprises a sum of (a) rotational and/or linear kinetic energy of the electric motor and (b) energy stored in the energy storage device.

Abstract: A tongue manipulation device (10) has a tissue anchor (20) for attachment to the tongue, a bone anchor (22) typically for attachment to the mandible and a tether line (24) which fixes the tissue anchor to the bone anchor. The bone anchor comprises a tether line spool arrangement which comprises a spool (46) rotatable about a spooling axis and a spooling locking arrangement (54). The spooling locking arrangement is controlled by rotation about the spooling axis between spooling locking and permitting configurations. In this way, the physician implanting and setting the device can perform titration and subsequent locking as two independent operations.

Abstract: Characterizing myocardial perfusion pathology includes analyzing a plurality of medical images of at least a portion of the heart of a subject of interest (20), acquired in a consecutive manner by a medical imaging modality (10). Intensities of selected myocardial image positions from the plurality of medical images are sampled and assigned an index representing an order of acquisition to the respective sampled intensities of the myocardial image positions to obtain intensity curves (60). An index number (64, 66) indicative of a spatio-temporal perfusion inhomogeneity or perfusion dephasing among at least a subset of myocardial segments of the plurality of myocardial segments is calculated, based on the obtained intensity curves (60).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating X-rays. It is described to produce (210) with a power supply (30) a voltage. A cathode (22) of an X-ray source (20) is positioned (220) relative to an anode (24) of the X-ray source. Electrons are emitted (230) from the cathode. Electrons emitted from the cathode interact (240) with the anode with energies corresponding to the voltage. X-rays are generated (250) from the anode, wherein the electrons interact with the anode to generate the X-rays. The X-ray source is controlled (260), such that a plurality of first X-ray pulses is generated each having a first X-ray flux, wherein the first X-ray pulses are temporally separated from each other. The X-ray source is controlled (270), such that a least one second X-ray pulse is generated having a second X-ray flux that is substantially less than the first X-ray flux, wherein the at least one second X-ray pulse is generated temporally between consecutive pulses of the first X-ray pulses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile X-ray device, comprising: a housing with an X-ray source arranged therein, a sensor system comprising one or more sensors for aligning the X-ray source to an object to be scanned and/or detecting at least one extrinsic object in a predefined area in a vicinity of the X-ray beam of the X-ray source; a processor unit comprising determining the alignment of the X-ray source and the object to be scanned based on signals received from the sensor system; image acquisition for generating an X-ray image; activating a blockage signal for the mobile X-ray device based on signals received from the sensor system; and an interface for outputting the generated X-ray image and/or information; wherein image acquisition is blocked, if the sensor system signals one of the following: at least one extrinsic object is detected within the predefined area; lack of alignment between the X-ray source and the object to be scanned.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a customized product overcomes the shortcomings of conventional manufacturing methodologies. This is achieved according to one embodiment of the present invention by providing a method of manufacturing a customized product that employs a fabrication environment that includes a plurality of patients in need of a customized product, and a plurality of manufacturers who employ additive manufacturing equipment that is capable of manufacturing customized products, and a computer that identifies correspondence between patients and manufacturers in order to enable a specification of a customized product that is customized for a particular patient to be forwarded to an appropriate manufacturer along with an instruction to manufacture the customized product.

Abstract: A sensor platform (300) with a sensor surface (350) receives particles (400). A material extending from the sensor surface (350) having a refractive index higher than the one of the fluid (200), such that an electromagnetic wave (10) propagating in this platform material (310) and incident to the sensor surface (350) at an angle greater than the critical optical angle is totally reflected onto the sensor surface (350). The particles (400) suspended in the fluid (200) include a metallic material (410) enabling a localized surface plasmon resonance at resonant wavelength(s). An optical detector (102) detects a portion of a spectrum of the totally reflected wave (20), including the resonant wavelength(s). A processor determines a presence of the particles (400) on or close to the sensor surface (350) from a frustrated totally internal reflection (“FTIR”) signal retrieved from the detected wavelengths. The retrieving takes into account the detected resonant component(s) present in the FTIR signal.

Abstract: A descaling device includes a descaling-chemicals reservoir for descaling a hydraulic circuit of a hot-beverage producing machine. The descaling-chemicals reservoir has an outlet port arranged at or near the bottom portion of the descaling-chemicals reservoir. The descaling device further includes an inlet port and a water flow passage extending from the inlet port to the descaling-chemicals reservoir. The outlet port is provided with a closure member openable upon connection of the descaling device with a hydraulic circuit of a hot-beverage producing machine. The inlet and outlet ports can be placed in fluid communication, such that water is sucked through the inlet port for flow through the descaling-chemicals reservoir and discharge through the outlet port.

Abstract: A breast pump device (1) is adapted to enable realization of at least two batches (A, B) of breast milk as a direct result of a single pumping session to be performed on at least one user's breast, which batches (A, B) are different as far as the value of at least one quality parameter of the breast milk is concerned. The device (1) comprises a detection unit (50) for performing real-time detection of the at least one quality parameter in a flow of breast milk and outputting a detection signal representing an actual value of the at least one quality parameter, and further comprises a controller (70) for receiving the detection signal from the detection unit (50) and using the signal in a process of determining an appropriate setting of the device (1) as far as the choice of a destination position of the milk is concerned.

Abstract: A system for supporting operation of an X-ray imaging apparatus (IA) capable of assuming different imaging geometries. The system comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving a specification of a path extending at least partly into an object. A camera sampler (CS) configured to compute, for a plurality of non-ionizing radiation based cameras (OC) of the X-ray imaging apparatus (IM), a respective imaging geometry for achieving a plan view on the object along said path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic substrate (100) comprising: a front side (100-1), which comprises: i) a power semiconductor (102-1, . . . , 102-n); and ii) a first metallic layer (104) comprising at least one first metallic plane contact (104-1, . . . , 104-n), which is configured to connect the power semiconductor (102-1, . . . , 102-n) to a first terminal (105-1, . . . , 105-n) on an edge (100-3) of the ceramic substrate (100); a back side (100-2), which comprises: i) a capacitor (103) which is attached to a ii) second metallic layer (108) comprising at least one second metallic plane contact (108-1, . . . , 108-n), which is configured to connect the capacitor (103) to a second terminal (107-1, . . . , 107-n) on the edge (100-3) of the ceramic substrate (100); and a metallic frame (110), which is configured to connect the first metallic layer (104) to the second metallic layer (108).

Abstract: Method of scheduling drug administration using a pulse-oximetry integrated intravenous fluid system comprising retrieving from at least one network server database via an intravenous pump unit patient-related and drug-related data and information. The retrieved data are displayed on the intravenous pump unit interface and then a patient's pulse oximetry data is acquired. Using the pulse oximetry data, patient history, patient condition, diagnosis, and information relating to the one or more drugs, a medical personnel determines a schedule of drug administration. During the set duration of a drug administration schedule, one or more observed effects of the one or more drugs administered to the patient via the intravenous pump unit interface is inputted into the IV pump unit, and the patient record stored in the at least one network database is updated.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a pressure support system configured to provide pressure support therapy to a subject, wherein the pressure support system comprises a subject interface heater configured to controllably heat a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a target temperature that is offset from a baseline temperature. The breathable gas baseline temperature target offset ensures the gas delivered to the subject is delivered at a comfortable temperature and/or humidity level that does not cause airway dryness or result in condensed water in the subject interface. In one embodiment, the pressure support system comprises one or more of a pressure generator, a subject interface, a subject interface heater, one or more subject interface temperature sensors, one or more baseline temperature sensors, one or more general sensors, a humidifier, a user interface, a processor, electronic storage, and/or other components.

Abstract: Presented is a system and method for assessing the functional ability of a person to perform a task. The system comprises: a task identification unit adapted to identify the task to be performed by the person; and a task complexity unit adapted to obtain a task-specific complexity signal representative of a required level of functional ability to perform the identified task. A functional ability unit is adapted to obtain a functional ability signal representative of a determined functional ability of the person. An assessment unit is adapted to determine an ability of the person to perform the identified task based on the task-specific complexity signal and the functional ability signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for generating a radiotherapy treatment plan (33; 34) for treating a target structure within a patient body. The system comprises (i) a modeling unit configured to determine a series of estimates (31a-d; 32a-d) of a delineation of the target structure for consecutive points of time during the radiation therapy treatment on the basis of a model quantifying changes of the delineation with time, and (ii) a planning unit configured to determine the treatment plan (33; 34) on the basis of the series of estimates (31a-d; 32a-d) of the delineation of the target structure. Further, the invention relates to method carried out in the system.

Abstract: To enable a high quality HDR video communication, which can work by sending corresponding LDR images potentially via established LDR video communication technologies, which works well in practical situations, applicant has invented a HDR video decoder (600, 1100) arranged to calculate a HDR image (Im_RHDR) based on applying to a received 100 nit standard dynamic range image (Im_RLDR) a set of luminance 5 transformation functions, the functions comprising at least a coarse luminance mapping (FC), which is applied by a dynamic range optimizer (603), and a mapping of the darkest value (0) of an intermediate luma (Y?HPS), being output of the dynamic range optimizer, to a received black offset value (Bk_off) by a range stretcher (604), the video decoder comprising a gain limiter (611, 1105) arranged to apply an alternate luminance transformation function to 10 calculate a subset (502) of the darkest luminances of the HDR image, from corresponding darkest lumas (Y?_in) of the standard dynamic range image.

Abstract: An X-ray detector assembly (DA), comprising an X-ray sensitive flat panel (FD) module having a first shape. An X-ray shield (S) is superimposed on said panel, said shield having a hole i) of a fixed second shape different from said first shape or ii) of a fixed size different from a size of the first shape.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method enable the automatic acquisition of standard view planes of the heart in real time, such as the AP4, AP3, and AP2 views. A 3D image of the heart is acquired and the processed in conjunction with a geometrical heart model. The heart model is fitted to the heart in its acquired pose to segment the desired image planes from the 3D image data. During successive image acquisition intervals the image planes are tracked through successive image data as a multi-plane system to update a display of the multiple images. The successive image acquisitions can be volume image acquisitions or multi-plane acquisitions of just the tracked image planes during each acquisition interval.