Abstract: This system (200), apparatus (300), and method (100) of the present invention provide an analytic way to solve the (input) estimation problem of pharmacokinetic modeling: estimating parameters of a kinetic model from a series of tracer (radioactively labeled imaging agent) activity measurements (e.g. by positron emission tomography). Since the model describes a biological process its parameters have a direct functional interpretation (e.g. hypoxia for the tracer FMISO) that can be of diagnostic value. The measurements represent the activity distribution in time and space in the form of a 4D data set d(t, x, y, z), t=1, . . . , T. The kinetic parameter estimation procedure (205) requires knowledge of the tracer input activity. This input activity can either be measured invasively or it can be estimated from the data in a preprocessing step. The estimation problem can be solved efficiently if the model and its input are described analytically.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Gd2O2S:M fluorescent ceramic material with a very short afterglow, wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group Pr, Th, Yb, Dy, Sm and/or Ho and the Gd2O2S:M fluorescent ceramic material comprises further: europium of ?1 wt. ppm based on Gd2O2S, and cerium of ?0.1 wt. ppm to ?100 wt. ppm based on Gd2O2S, wherein the content of cerium is in excess of the content of europium with a ratio of europium to cerium of 1:10 to 1:150.

Abstract: A wireless device (110) is provided for supporting peer to peer communications. A transceiver (132) is configured to receive and transmit data over a wireless link. A network activity sensor (136) is coupled to the transceiver and configured to sense peer to peer activity by the transceiver and generate a network activity sensor signal. A controller (140) is coupled to the network activity sensor (136) and the transceiver (132), and configured to selectively deactivate a portion of the wireless device based at least in part on the network activity sensor signal. Advantages of the invention include the ability to prolong battery life in wireless devices.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a process for the manufacturing of reflecting optical barriers comprising silicon and useful in combination with light emitting devices, wherein the process comprises anisotropic wet etching of the silicon material in such a manner that the rate of etching along the crystallographic (111) plane of the silicon material is slower than the rate of etching along the (110) and (100) planes. The present invention further comprises a reflecting optical barrier useful in combination with light emitting devices and a system containing at least one light emitting device comprising a reflecting optical barrier.

Abstract: Optical apparatus for modifying a radiation beam, the apparatus including a variable focus lens (1) comprising a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) wherein the fluids are immiscible and are separated from each other by a fluid meniscus (6; 106; 206; 306) which is configurable into a configuration which is arranged to modify a predetermined vergence of an input radiation beam (15; 32; 33) and a focus control system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a periodical array of light spots from an input light beam, said device comprising—a periodical array of apertures (202) forming a plurality of interlaced sub-arrays of apertures,—phase shifter elements (PSi) placed in front of said apertures for imposing a phase shift to said input light beam so that each light spot is constructed as the superposition of a plurality of light spots generated by said plurality of interlaced sub-arrays of apertures. Use: Light spot generation.

Abstract: An illumination system (10), comprising an illumination source (2) and a mechanical dimming device (4) for dimming the amount of light generated by the illumination source (2) and emanating from the lighting apparatus, comprising an array of partially overlapping blades, the array of blades being mechanically operable to define an optical passageway there through of variable cross sectional area, wherein each blade comprises at least one overlapping segment and at least one non-overlapping segment, the overlapping segments being a color filter and the non-overlapping segments being a shutter. In a preferred embodiment the color of the color filter is in the range from yellow to amber to red. This arrangement is especially useful with a high intensity lamp as the illumination source, and provides for natural dimming of the light produced by the illumination source over the range of from about 0 to 100% causing a color change in the projected light that resemble natural sunset.

Abstract: The use of a selective chemical and bioorthogonal reaction providing a covalent ligation such as the Staudinger ligation, in targeted molecular imaging and therapy is presented, more specifically with interesting applications for pre-targeted imaging or therapy. Current pre-targeted imaging is hampered by the fact that it relies solely on natural/biological targeting constructs (i.e. biotin/streptavidin). Size considerations and limitations associated with their endogenous nature severely limit the number of applications. The present invention describes how the use of an abiotic, bio-orthogonal reaction which forms a stable adduct under physiological conditions, by way of a small or undetectable bond, can overcome these limitations.

Abstract: An optical image is formed in a resist layer (5) by a number of subilluminations, in each of which an array of light valves (21 25) and a corresponding array (40) of light converging elements are used to form a pattern of spots in the resist layer according to a sub image Between the sub illuminations, the resist layer (5) is displaced relative to the arrays (21 25, 40) The scale of the optical image in the resist layer (5) is measured and this scale is compared with the scale of the image required to be written If there is a difference, the spacing between the light converging elements (43) is physically altered to adjust the substrate scale.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector with detector elements (1) arranged in a layer. The detector elements (1) contain a scintillator element (2) for the conversion of X-rays (X) into photons (v), a photodiode (5) for detection of the photons (v), and a processing circuit (4) for the processing of electric signals generated by the photodiode (5). In order to protect the electronics (4) from X-rays a shielding (3) of variable effective thickness (d1, d2) is disposed in front of the electronics (4). This shielding (3) can in particular be L-shaped. By reduction of the effective thickness of the shielding (3) to a necessary minimum the volume of the scintillator unit (2) can be maximized.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of coupling light into a light guide using error detecting and correcting systems. A rectangular light guide is mated with an X-axis optical fiber and with a Y-axis optical fiber. An X-axis photodetector senses light that couples from the light guide into the X-axis optical fiber, while a Y-axis photodetector senses light that couples from the light guide into the Y-axis optical fiber. An error detector compares the outputs of the X-axis and the Y-axis photodetectors to produces error signals that depend on the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis positional errors. The errors signals are applied to an error correcting system that adjusts the relative position of the light guide and the light directed onto the light guide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recording medium (2), particularly an optical recording disk, which comprises at least one record track (3) having a physical volume (32) with addressable blocks (4). The physical volume (32) is divided into spare area (36;38) and user-accessible logical volume (37). A single spare area (36) is only located at the beginning of the physical volume (32), or a single spare area (38) is only located at the end of the physical volume (32). Alternatively, a first spare area (36) is located at the beginning of the physical volume (32) and a second spare area (38) is located at the end of the physical volume (32). Thus, the logical volume (37) is physically contiguous, that is, not interrupted by any spare area. The recording medium according to the invention can be used both for storing computer data as well as for recording audio and/or video information. The invention also relates to methods and a device for use in conjunction with the recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method is described for forming a dynamic image from a plurality of signals of an object moving relative to at least one RF? receiving antenna. Imaging is acquired by at least two adjacent fields of view (FOV), which are reconstructed to an image over a region of interest which includes both FOVs. Prior to imaging a sensitivity map of the at least one RF receiving antenna at each position relative to the object is determined for each FOV. Thereafter data from the object to be imaged is sampled for each FOV with a reduced number of phase encoding steps with respect to the full set thereof at a fixed position relative to the main magnetic field. The image is then reconstructed from the subsampled signals, which are weighted with the sensitivity factor of the RF receiving antenna at the respective imaging position.

Abstract: A dose-modulated irradiating system includes an x-ray tube (20) with at least a filament (80) for generating electrons, a cathode (84) and an anode (92) for accelerating and collimating the generated electrons into an electron beam (94), and an electrostatic grid with grid electrodes (110, 112) for steering the electron beam (94) on the anode (92). The anode (92) generates an x-ray beam (96) responsive to the electron beam (94). Grid biasing is provided for applying a time-varying electrical bias to the grid electrodes (110, 112) that produces a first time-varying intensity modulation of the electron beam (94). A current of the filament (80) is modulated to produce a second time-varying intensity modulation of the electron beam (94). A controller (52) controls cooperatively combining the first and second time-varying intensity modulations to produce a combined time-varying intensity modulation.

Abstract: A through-hole panel is mounted on a barrier between a hot zone maintained at a selected isolation level and a cold zone not maintained at the selected isolation level. Hermetically sealed electrical feedthroughs each include a housing and cold- and hot-side electrical receptacles, and are hermetically sealed into through-holes of the through-hole panel with the cold- and hot-side electrical receptacles extending into the respective cold and hot zones. A surface of the through-hole panel and a portion of the feedthroughs exposed to the hot zone are substantially resistant to corrosive decontamination agents used in the hot zone. A medical imaging instrument in the cold zone images an interior volume of a generally tubular imaging window that is in communication with the hot zone and is isolated from the cold zone. An auxiliary instrument in the hot zone operatively electrically communicates with the medical imaging instrument via the feedthroughs.

Abstract: An external defibrillator is described which maintains the durations of phases of a multiphasic shock waveform within or below desired limits. As the duration of a waveform increases for patients of increased patient impedance, the durations of the phases of a multiphasic shock waveform also increase. Before a maximum duration limit is exceeded, the defibrillator adds another phase to the multiphasic waveform which brings the durations of the phases within the desired range or below a maximum duration limit. Both the number of shock phases and the individual phase durations can be controlled in response to measured patient impedance.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for reproducing from a multi-layer optical information carrier (1), e.g. dual layer media like a DVD or BD disc. Initially, light (5) is focused at a first information layer (L1), where the first layer has a range of parameter settings (SL1) for optimized reproducing of information in a specific optical drive. Secondly, reflected light (8) from the carrier is detected, and subsequently information showing the actual information layer (L1 or LO) the light (5) is focused on is provided. Due to an error the light may be focused on a “wrong”, second information layer (LO), where the second layer has a range of second layer parameter settings (SLO) for optimized reproducing of information in the specific optical drive. The invention provides an improved recovery chance by changing at least one first layer parameter setting to the corresponding second layer parameter setting prior to performing the refocusing to the intended layer (L1).

Abstract: A system and method augments a recorded lecture (110) based on the importance of the material and/or based on a student's needs. The importance of each segment of the lecture material (110) is based at least in part on questions from prior exams (120), and the student's needs are based at least in part on the student's performance (130) on prior exams. The method (410-440) of presenting the augmented material to the student may also be customized based on the student's learning style.

Abstract: An integral handle (12) is formed in a portable patient monitoring device (10) to minimize device size and to provide a storage cavity for a stowable bedrail hook assembly (30) mounted to the device (10). A handle cavity (14) extends through a top side (16) of the device casing and out through a back side (18) of the casing to accommodate a human hand and permit an operator to grasp the integral handle (12). The hook assembly (30) has a generally U-shaped crossbar (32) that is inserted to mounting brackets (40) secured to the back side (18) of the device (10). Hook portions (34) having a curvature generally congruent to the interior of the handle cavity (14) extend from the crossbar (32) and stow inside the handle cavity (14) as the crossbar (32) rests against the back side (18) of the device when the hook assembly is stowed.

Abstract: A recording system stores files on a removable, optical record carrier (11). The record carrier has an annular recording area corresponding to a logical data space accessible according to a predefined recording format. The recording system has a control unit (20) for controlling the recording means for storing the files in respective data blocks. A backup unit (32) stores at least one backup file of an original file, and assigns, to the backup file, backup blocks in the logical data space. The backup blocks (305,306,307) are physically positioned remote from corresponding original blocks (302,303,304) of the original file in the logical data space, e.g. by applying a predetermined radial shift. Hence the record carrier is provided with reliable data, wherein the backup blocks and the original blocks form a spatially distributed pattern for avoiding that local disturbances of the recording area affect corresponding blocks of the original blocks and backup blocks.