Abstract: A system for generating MR images for segmentation and/or use in correcting attenuation in subsequent images using other modalities (e.g., PET, SPECT, etc.) is described. A surrogate soft tissue device is provided and positioned on the patient near the artifact source to provide a surrogate soft tissue boundary that can be imaged and interpreted during segmentation to mitigate the deleterious effects of a local susceptibility artifact in the MR image.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system probe comprises an imaging transducer head and a reception circuit for processing received reflected ultrasound signals. The reception circuit comprises an analogue to digital sigma delta converter which comprises a closed loop which comprises a tunable band pass filter. This enables the analog to digital converter to process only the desired frequency band. The ADC conversion bandwidth and ENOB are in this way programmable giving a more efficient probe design, and also enabling analog to digital conversion early in the signal processing chain.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly (30) is disclosed, comprising: a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (34, 36, 38) for receiving ultrasound waves and for providing transducer signals (X2, X3, X4) corresponding to the respectively received ultrasound waves. The assembly comprises a plurality of signal combiners (42, 44; 60, 62, 64) for providing different output signals (Y1, Y2) on the basis of the transducer signals, and a plurality of timing elements (48, 52; 68, 70; 72, 74) for providing different time shifts (?) to the transducer signals. Each of the ultrasound transducer elements is connected to a plurality of the signal combiners for providing the transducer signals including the different time shifts to different of the signal combiners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a calibration apparatus for calibrating a system for introducing an influencing element like a radiation source into an object, particularly for calibrating a brachytherapy system. First and second images show a longish introduction device (12) like a catheter and a tracking device (16) like an electromagnetically trackable guidewire inserted into the introduction device as far as possible, and the introduction device and a calibration element (46) having the same dimensions as the influencing element and being inserted into the introduction device as far as possible. A spatial relation between the tracking device and the calibration element is determined based on the images for calibrating the system. Knowing this spatial relation allows accurately determining an influencing plan like a brachytherapy treatment plan and accurately positioning the influencing element in accordance with the influencing plan, which in turn allows for a more accurate influencing of the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter (20) adapted for open-loop irrigated ablation, such as RF ablation, of a tissue (40). Said catheter has a distal tip (22) with an ablation entity (15) adapted for performing ablation of the tissue, an irrigation hole (21) and an ultrasound transducer (5) adapted for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound transducer is disposed behind or in the irrigation hole of the catheter, so as to allow an irrigation fluid to flow out of the irrigation hole, and so as to allow transmitting and/or receiving the ultrasonic waves through the irrigation hole. The invention also relates to an imaging system and to a corresponding method for operating a catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power distribution system (1), especially a Power-over-Ethernet system, comprising at least one dominant sensor, which may be located within a powered device (4) like a lighting device, and at least one non-dominant sensor, which may be located within another powered device (4), wherein the power distribution system is adapted such that in a system low power mode the at least one dominant sensor (6) consumes power provided by a power providing unit (3) and the at least one non-dominant sensor (6) does not consume the provided power and that the power distribution system (1) switches from the system low powermode to a system high power mode, if the at least one dominant sensor (6) has sensed an event. Since in the system low power mode the at least one non-dominant sensor does not consume power, the power consumption can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a medical apparatus (100), the method comprising receiving location data indicative of the location of a target volume (146); controlling a positioning system (224) to rotate a therapy device comprising an energy-delivering device about a longitudinal axis of the therapy device; controlling the energy-delivering device to deliver energy to the target volume (146) at a first rotation position relative to the longitudinal axis on a rotation trajectory of the therapy device using the location data; determining a first set of slice planes of the target volume (146) at the first rotation position to be imaged by a magnetic resonance imaging module (106); controlling the magnetic resonance imaging module (106) to acquire first magnetic resonance data from the first set of slice planes of first set of slice planes; determining a second set of slice planes of the target volume (146) at least one second rotation position of the therapy device on the rotation tra

Abstract: A lighting device (1) comprising a driver (7) arranged at a base (2) of the lighting device (1), a heat sink (14) arranged at a portion (3) of the lighting device (1), separate from the driver (7), a light source (13) mounted to the heat sink (14), and a wire (10) arranged to electrically connect the light source (13) to the driver (7), wherein a portion of the wire (10) extending from the base (2) to the portion of the lighting device (1) is arranged to be exposed to light from the light source (13). The present embodiment is advantageous in that the thermal performance is improved and the lifetime of the lighting device (1) is increased. Further, the exposed wire (10) may be illuminated by the light source (13) and visible from outside the lighting device (1), thereby having the appearance of a filament.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray detector and the pixel layout. In order to provide a facilitated way of avoiding artifacts in images provided by X-ray detectors, an X-ray detector (10) is provided, comprising a pixel array (12) with a plurality of pixels (14), each of which comprises a sensitive area (16), a body structure (18),and an electric circuitry (20). The sensitive areas are attached to the body structure and the electric circuitry is provided to control and read out the sensitive areas and to connect the sensitive areas with a processing unit. The sensitive areas are configured to provide an electric signal representing X-ray radiation hitting the pixel. All pixels are provided in a pixel layout with a pixel layout scheme (22) where the sensitive area is a first part (24) of the pixel's surface that is contributing to the pixel's signal and a second part (26) of the pixel's surface is irrelevant to contributing to the pixel's signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented for compensating for offsets in digital-to-analog converters (DACs). An apparatus may comprise a gain block. The non-inverting input of the gain block may be provided with a bias voltage selected to exceed the worst-case expected positive offset of a DAC. Feedback from the output of the gain block may be provided to a processor. The processor may be connected to drive the DAC.

Abstract: A lighting system is disclosed which includes a light source unit and a projection system for producing a desired light distribution pattern in a target area, especially for use in an automotive head lighting, studio and theater lighting, indoor spots with adjustable beam width or direction, architectural dynamic lighting, disco lighting and other. The lighting system is especially suitable for a light source unit having one or more Lambertian light sources, especially a plurality of LEDs. For generating a desired light distribution pattern in the target area, the light source unit may include a plurality of collimators that are configured especially such that the curved focal plane (P) of the projection system intersects with or tangentially touches the exit apertures of the collimators.