Abstract: A high resolution sheet metal scanner employs machine vision to check a sheet metal part or the like for accuracy of punched or drilled holes or other structure. A high-resolution line-scanning camera mounted to an X-Y table, located in an environmentally sealed lower assembly. The sheet metal part is placed upon a transparent support plate. The line-scan camera is precision focused on the top surface of the glass support plate. An elongated linear illuminator is situated above the glass plate. The illuminator extends in the X direction and moves in the Y direction. The camera is transported in the X and Y directions on a carriage of the X-Y table. A computer control may be used for controlling the camera and the X-Y table. The drive for the camera and for the illuminator are mechanically independent.

Abstract: A reusable flat radiolucent compression cushion is placed on one or both compression surfaces of a mammography machine. The cushion has a cover or enclosure of a radiolucent bio-compatible plastic film, e.g., polyurethane film, and a flat core of a radiolucent plastic foam material, e.g., cross-linked polyethylene foam. The plastic foam material and the film of the enclosure are substantially free of visible artifacts at the low radiological energies used during mammography, so that the breast tissues image clearly. Outside the imaging area, there are fastener strips or patches, e.g., Velcro, for removably attaching the cushion to the associated compressive surface. The mammography compression cushions are light weight and can be easily stored in a convenient shelf or drawer near the mammography machine. The cushions can be easily cleaned with a mild soap and water, and may be disinfected using any standard hospital disinfecting solution.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cart has a pull-out drawer, and a conveyor that transports a number of removable medication bins within the cart, one at a time, to the position of the drawer. An on-board processor controls operation of the bin conveyor mechanism whose pathway can be a serpentine (folded) loop. The drawer slide engages the bin located at the drawer position, and the bin can be pulled forward from said conveyor and pushed back onto the conveyor. The bins can be lifted out when the drawer is opened. A 2-D bar code symbol or other machine-readable code, positioned on the bin, contains data identifying the contents of the bin and the associated patient. A reader device reads the coded symbol and transfers data for that bin to an on-board processor. The processor keeps track of the bins on the conveyor, as well as their contents. Pusher arms on the drawer assist in pushing the bin out when the drawer is opened and in returning the bin onto its carrier when the drawer is closed.

Abstract: A medication dispensing cart has a pull-out drawer, and a conveyor that transports a number of removable medication bins within the cart, one at a time, to the position of the drawer. An on-board processor controls operation of the bin conveyor mechanism whose pathway can be a serpentine (folded) loop. The drawer slide engages the bin located at the drawer position, and the bin can be pulled forward from said conveyor and pushed back onto the conveyor. The bins can be lifted out when the drawer is opened. A 2-D bar code symbol or other machine-readable code, positioned on the bin, contains data identifying the contents of the bin and the associated patient. A reader device reads the coded symbol and transfers data for that bin to an on-board processor. The processor keeps track of the bins on the conveyor, as well as their contents. Pusher arms on the drawer assist in pushing the bin out when the drawer is opened and in returning the bin onto its carrier when the drawer is closed.

Abstract: A scrubs returns cabinet for hospital workers to return surgical garment tops and bottoms. A cabinet housing has a door, drawer or similar port through which the customer places the soiled scrub suit after entering customer identification information. There are first and second belts in the housing that unwind from respective back and front reels or drums, and wind over a series of rollers or idlers onto a lower collecting drum. The scrubs fall onto one of the belts, and then are captured between the belts. The scrubs are compressed onto the collecting drum. The direction of travel of the belts is reversed to expel the soiled scrubs from the cabinet. These can be discharged directly into a laundry bin, so that the laundry attendant does not have to reach into the cabinet to retrieve the scrubs. The cabinet can be configured for the return of towels or other articles, or for dispensing such articles.

Abstract: A high resolution sheet metal scanner employs machine vision to check a sheet metal part or the like for accuracy of punched or drilled holes or other structure. A high-resolution line-scanning camera mounted to an X-Y table, located in an environmentally sealed lower assembly. The sheet metal part is placed upon a transparent support plate. The line-scan camera is precision focused on the top surface of the glass support plate. An elongated linear illuminator is situated above the glass plate. The illuminator extends in the X direction and moves in the Y direction. The camera is transported in the X and Y directions on a carriage of the X-Y table. A computer control may be used for controlling the camera and the X-Y table. The drive for the camera and for the illuminator are mechanically independent.

Abstract: A compensator filter is used to adjust the radiation therapy beam of a linear accelerator device to compensate for tissue that may have been removed surgically. The compensator filter is formed of a plastic material having a density of about one to two times that of the patient's tissue, and is disposed in the filter tray of the linear accelerator for selectively attenuating the radiotherapy beam to compensate for the missing tissue. Preferably, the filter can be made from a blank cast of polyurethane filled with glass microspheres, such that the filter is substantially free of heavy metal substances and toxic materials. The blank can be milled in a compensator filter milling machine of the type that is found in radiotherapy clinics.

Abstract: An x-ray illuminator achieves uniform illumination intensity across the front glass diffuser screen. The reflectance of the reflector is varied over its surface, the transmissivity of the screen can be varied over its extent, or both. The internal reflector can have a reflectance that is reduced at positions directly behind centers of the fluorescent tubes and which gradually increases to maximum reflectance at positions at ends of the tubes and at positions away from centerlines of the tubes.

Abstract: A package having a container having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a sidewall defining a cavity, with the container having an inner locking tab in the cavity defining a recess in the outer surface of the container, and with a stiffening material being placed in the recess to add strength to the locking tab.

Abstract: A scrubs dispenser cabinet dispenses garment tops and bottoms to customers in a plurality of sizes. A cabinet housing has a dispense port at a convenient location on the front. A pair of reels within the housing have a first web belt wound onto them and the belt has pockets or compartments along its length. These compartments are adapted to be loaded with scrub tops. The belt passes over idlers along a path so that the compartments on the first belt align with the dispense port as the belt unwinds from one reel and winds onto the other. Another pair of reels has a second web belt, the second belt similarly having compartments, here adapted to be loaded with said scrub bottoms. The second belt also moves on a path that aligns the compartments with said dispense port as the belt unwinds from one of the reels and winds onto the other.

Abstract: A semi-automated pharmaceutical dispensing arrangement has a drug cabinet in which a control mechanism permits opening of the front door for an authorized attendant and permits the attendant to obtain the pre-filled bottles or containers of medication for a patient's prescription order. An array of linear dispensing modules each hold a front-to-back row of filled containers, which can be manually lifted out one at a time. A pusher mechanism in the module pushes the containers forward, so that containers are pushed into position for removal. These may be spring actuated. Each of the modules also has an associated signaling device, such as an LED that lights up to guide the attendant to the appropriate dispensing module. A controller processor, e.g., a computer, is associated with the cabinet for inputting patient-medication information and lighting the signaling LEDs for the modules.

Abstract: The invention provides metal loaded polymeric sheet material suitable for the preparation of protective garments for the protection of workers or subjects exposed to x-radiation.

Abstract: A digital work station can be used in a radiology lab, with x-ray illuminators on an upper shelf for viewing traditional film x-rays, and computer monitors, e.g., CRTs at a lower shelf for viewing digitized x-rays. The work station is ergonomically arranged for radiologist's viewing comfort and efficiency. The height of the illuminators can be adjusted, and the shelves for the computer monitors can be adjusted also to accomodate the user preference. The monitor shelf can be level or angulated (e.g., 20 degrees) and is adjustable up and down in either orientation. The upper shelf is adjusted to minimize the gap above the monitors, and the front edge of the upper shelf maintains alignment with the sloping edge of the side walls if the upper shelf is elevated or lowered. Power outlets are provided on the front edges of the side walls just above a work shelf. The work shelf can have pull-out writing shelves.

Abstract: A package having a container having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a sidewall defining a cavity, with the container having an inner locking tab in the cavity defining a recess in the outer surface of the container, and with a stiffening material being placed in the recess to add strength to the locking tab.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal-containing transparent polymer by the reaction of a metal carboxylate, with a clear setting resin system comprising a thermosetting resin and a curing agent. The reaction occurs in a temperature in the range of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. under conditions which prevent air from being entrapped in the mixture, either during mixing of the reagents or during reaction. The metal carboxylate contains from about 20 to about 60 weight percent of metal. The reagents react for a time sufficient to form a transparent polymer. The resins include preferably epoxies, polyesters, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polyether sulfones, polyimides, and mixtures of two or more of these thermoset polymers. The final metal-containing transparent polymer preferably contains at least 15% by weight of the metal. Preferred metals include antimony, barium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, molybdenum, tungsten, ranadium, and zirconium.

Abstract: A method for preparing a thermoplastic material, with dry heat, for use in patient fixation. The method includes generating heat to a threshold temperature and transferring the heat to the thermoplastic material by a heat conductive path. Once the thermoplastic material has become pliable, it is molded into a cast for fixation purposes. The heat may be generated by a device having a housing and a member movable attached to the housing. The device also includes a heating element for providing a heat conductive path to the member.

Abstract: An electronic ballast circuit is provided for starting, operating and controlling the brightness of one or more fluorescent lamps. The brightness of the lamps is controlled over the full range of brightness from zero to full-rated power. The circuit power factor is controllable, and is preferably operated at a relatively high leading power factor. The circuit includes a capacitive ballast working in conjunction with a gapped transformer so as to provide the high leading power factor while, at the same time, maintaining stable and uniform brightness of the lamps. A power field effect transistor is utilized to function as a current stabilizer in conjunction with the capacitive ballast and gapped transformer. The system incorporates a dimming control circuit for increasing and decreasing the brightness of the lamps.

Abstract: A flexible radiation shield apron is disclosed. A characterizing feature of the apron resides in the provision of an encasing fabric sleeve unconnected to the sheets providing radiation resistance, in the areas generally below the waist of the wearer whereby such portions of the apron readily bend with the movements of the wearer. Preferably the sheets providing radiation protection are separated at their peripheries by portions of the encasing fabric sleeve which intrudes between the perimeters of the sheets below the waist further to increase suppleness.

Abstract: A viewing device for X-ray films or the like automatically masks the areas of the viewing screen not in registry with the film to be viewed responsive to the insertion of a film. The device includes a dimension sensing mechanism which aligns a selected mask with a positioned film automatically in accordance with the sensed dimension.