Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging quality assessment of an imaging system employs an aggregate phantom and a processor for imaging analysis. The aggregate phantom includes a plurality of self-contained sections configured to be moved independently and re-assembled in the imaging system. Each section includes fiducial features of known relative location. The processor: quantitatively determines location of the fiducial features within an image of the aggregate phantom; compares the determined location within the image to the known relative location of the fiducial features to produce a distortion field; and distinguishes between actual geometric distortion of the imaging system and rigid-body transformations of sections of the aggregate phantom, in the distortion field. For extended fields-of-view, the aggregate phantom may be repositioned, and sets of images combined to determine a distortion field of the extended image.

Abstract: A device, system and method for generating pulsed electric fields with high uniformity are provided. The electric fields occupy a large volume, suitable for placing a human or animal patient. A device for generating the electric fields is provided, which comprises a plurality of ring structures made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the ring structures are charged to different voltage levels. The device generates an electric field of high uniformity in the interior region of the ring structures when pulsed with electrical currents. These electric field pulses, when used in conjunction with pharmacological agents, destroy cancer cells through a process called targeted osmotic lysis.

Abstract: A device, system and method for creating pulsed electric fields with good uniformity are provided. The electric fields occupy a large volume, suitable for placing a human or animal patient. A device for generating the electric fields is provided, which comprises one or more toroidally or cylindrically shaped magnetic core(s) wound with electrical wires, which, when pulsed with electrical currents, generate an electric field of high uniformity in the interior region of the toroidal or cylindrical cores. These electric field pulses, when used in conjunction with pharmacological agent, destroy cancer cells through a process called Targeted Osmotic Lysis.

Abstract: The present invention enables even a beginner to acquire the technique easily and perform suitable spot welding, and achieves improved workability, improved welding quality, improved productivity, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging quality assessment of an imaging system employs an aggregate phantom and a processor for imaging analysis. The aggregate phantom includes a plurality of self-contained sections configured to be moved independently and re-assembled in the imaging system. Each section includes fiducial features of known relative location. The processor: quantitatively determines location of the fiducial features within an image of the aggregate phantom; compares the determined location within the image to the known relative location of the fiducial features to produce a distortion field; and distinguishes between actual geometric distortion of the imaging system and rigid-body transformations of sections of the aggregate phantom, in the distortion field. For extended fields-of-view, the aggregate phantom may be repositioned, and sets of images combined to determine a distortion field of the extended image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging quality assessment of an imaging system employs an aggregate phantom and a processor for imaging analysis. The aggregate phantom includes a plurality of self-contained sections configured to be moved independently and re-assembled in the imaging system. Each section includes fiducial features of known relative location. The processor: quantitatively determines location of the fiducial features within an image of the aggregate phantom; compares the determined location within the image to the known relative location of the fiducial features to produce a distortion field; and distinguishes between actual geometric distortion of the imaging system and rigid-body transformations of sections of the aggregate phantom, in the distortion field. For extended fields-of-view, the aggregate phantom may be repositioned, and sets of images combined to determine a distortion field of the extended image.

Abstract: A noise generator and method are provided for generating a test signal for measuring the performance of a loudspeaker over an operating broad band of frequencies ranging from low to high frequencies. A broadband random noise source is provided for generating broadband noise over the operating broad band of frequencies of the loudspeaker, and an impulsive noise source is additionally provided for generating random impulses of noise. The broadband noise and the randomly generated noise impulses are equalized to produce a composite noise signal having a desired crest factor as a function of frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging quality assessment of an imaging system employs an aggregate phantom and a processor for imaging analysis. The aggregate phantom includes a plurality of self-contained sections configured to be moved independently and re-assembled in the imaging system. Each section includes fiducial features of known relative location. The processor: quantitatively determines location of the fiducial features within an image of the aggregate phantom; compares the determined location within the image to the known relative location of the fiducial features to produce a distortion field; and distinguishes between actual geometric distortion of the imaging system and rigid-body transformations of sections of the aggregate phantom, in the distortion field. For extended fields-of-view, the aggregate phantom may be repositioned, and sets of images combined to determine a distortion field of the extended image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging quality assessment of an imaging system employs an aggregate phantom and a processor for imaging analysis. The aggregate phantom includes a plurality of self-contained sections configured to be moved independently and re-assembled in the imaging system. Each section includes fiducial features of known relative location. The processor: quantitatively determines location of the fiducial features within an image of the aggregate phantom; compares the determined location within the image to the known relative location of the fiducial features to produce a distortion field; and distinguishes between actual geometric distortion of the imaging system and rigid-body transformations of sections of the aggregate phantom, in the distortion field. For extended fields-of-view, the aggregate phantom may be repositioned, and sets of images combined to determine a distortion field of the extended image.

Abstract: An improved open-ear hearing aid to compensate for hearing loss includes a microphone for picking up incident sound and converting it to an electrical audio signal. An ear insert positionable within a human ear canal is provided for producing an output sound amplified within one or more frequency bands in response to incident sound picked up by the microphone. The in-band gain of the amplified sound output of the ear insert's loudspeaker is dependent on the user's hearing loss characteristics and the sound pressure levels of the incident sound. The form of the ear insert allows transmission of incident sound directly to the eardrum, where it is summed at the eardrum with the amplified sound output from the ear insert. Sound output is maximum at low incident sound pressure levels and minimum when the incident sound exceeds a set cut-off level.

Abstract: The hearing aid includes a signal processor having a level-dependent filter section and a level-independent filter section. The level-dependent filter section provides level-dependent gain wherein sound is attenuated or amplified depending on the level of the incoming sound. The level-independent filter section provides substantially constant gain wherein sound that passes through the filter section is not changed in level, and provides transparency in that it corrects for insertion loss caused by the earpiece of the hearing aid when worn by the user. The level dependent and level independent filter sections, when fitted to the user, greatly improve the user's perception of sound.

Abstract: A filter for correcting phase distortion produced at low frequencies in a loudspeaker system is created by inverting the phase response of the determined complex-valued frequency response of a loudspeaker system. The inverted phase response is obtained by taking the complex conjugate of the phase response. The impulse response for the inverted phase response is obtained by means of an inverse Fourier transform of the inverted phase response. The impulse response provides a linear phase FIR filter having a long filter length. The linear phase FIR filter is applied to the audio signal input to the loudspeaker system. Prior to inverting the phase response, the determined complex-valued frequency response of a loudspeaker system can be subjected to high frequency blanking and polynomial smoothing. Also, the linear phase FIR filter can be subjected to a window function prior to applying the filter to the audio signal.

Abstract: An arrayable loudspeaker (11) has at least one high frequency driver (39) mounted to a horn (37) and at least one pair of low frequency drivers (41) configured behind and in a closely spaced relationship to the horn to form low frequency side chambers (71) between the drivers and the horn from which acoustic energy produced by the low frequency drivers can propagate. Low frequency exit channels (77) above and below the horn are coupled to the low frequency side chambers (71). The configuration of the horn and low frequency drivers and the low frequency side chambers and low frequency exit channels is such that acoustical outputs of all drivers radiate coaxially from the loudspeaker with substantially constant wide beamwidth in the non-arraying plane. Signal processing can be added to enhance beamwidth control critical frequency ranges above crossover.

Abstract: A filter for correcting phase distortion produced at low frequencies in a loudspeaker system is created by inverting the phase response of the determined complex-valued frequency response of a loudspeaker system. The inverted phase response is obtained by taking the complex conjugate of the phase response. The impulse response for the inverted phase response is obtained by means of an inverse Fourier transform of the inverted phase response. The impulse response provides a linear phase FIR filter having a long filter length. The linear phase FIR filter is applied to the audio signal input to the loudspeaker system. Prior to inverting the phase response, the determined complex-valued frequency response of a loudspeaker system can be subjected to high frequency blanking and polynomial smoothing. Also, the linear phase FIR filter can be subjected to a window function prior to applying the filter to the audio signal.

Abstract: A three-dimensional resolution gauge for evaluating performance of a tomographic imaging system includes a series of groupings of 3-dimensional line pairs. All of the line pairs are oriented at a common set acute angle relative to a reference x-y imaging plane. The frequency of the line pairs of respective groupings of the series vary from highest density to lowest density corresponding to fine resolution and coarse resolution, respectively. Imaging of the series of groupings by the tomographic imaging system provides, in a single scan, a simultaneous visualization of combined effects of x-y in-plane resolution and slice thickness z direction resolution.

Abstract: A novel agent which is effective in the prevention or treatment of a chronic respiratory disease such as COPD, interstitial pneumonia and asthma is provided. The therapeutic agent for a chronic respiratory disease comprises, as an active ingredient, a hydroquinone derivative represented by general formula (1) wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkylcarbonyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms.