Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for guiding an irradiation equipment (2) located outside a human body (1) or an animal body. The method comprises the steps of identifying, in an image (4), a three-dimensional element (7) visible in the image (4), said three-dimensional element (7) has been in position in, or being inserted into, a cavity of the human body (1) or the animal body, establishing, in the image (4), a preliminary position of the three-dimensional element (7) visible in the image (4) in relation to a reference, establishing a preliminary position of the irradiation equipment (2) in relation to the reference, and adjusting the irradiation equipment (2) in response to the position the three-dimensional element (7).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the non-destructive determination of the pore size distribution and the distribution of fluid flow velocities using NMR spin echo signal measurements. In one embodiment, the invention involves simultaneously injecting acoustic energy (208), generating a magnetic field having a gradient, and injecting radio-frequency electromagnetic energy (206) into a subsurface region, using for example an NMR tool and a well logging tool having an acoustic transmitter placed in a wellbore (202). The spin echo signal generated in the subsurface region is measured (210) by the NMR tool for at least two values (212) of the magnetic field gradient. A relationship is provided by which the pore fluid velocity distribution may be calculated (214) from the inverse Fourier transform of the spin echo data. The pore size distribution may then be calculated from the pore fluid velocity distribution.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a sequence of magnetic resonance (MR) images of an object under investigation, includes the steps of (a) providing a series of sets of image raw data including an image content of the MR images to be reconstructed, the image raw data being collected with the use of at least one radiofrequency receiver coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, wherein each set of image raw data includes a plurality of data samples being generated with a gradient-echo sequence, in particular a FLASH sequence, that spatially encodes an MRI signal received with the at least one radiofrequency receiver coil using a non-Cartesian k-space trajectory, each set of image raw data includes a set of homogeneously distributed lines in k-space with equivalent spatial frequency content, the lines of each set of image raw data cross the center of k-space and cover a continuous range of spatial frequencies, and the positions of the lines of each set of image raw data differ in successive sets of image raw

Abstract: A method for aligning a probe relative to a supporting substrate defining a first planar surface, an edge, and a first crystal plane includes the steps of masking the surface of the substrate to define an exposed area on the first surface at the edge; and etching, using an etch reagent, a recess in the exposed area, the recess defining first and second opposed sidewalls, an end wall remote from the edge, and a bottom wall. The method further includes the step of providing a probe substrate defining a second planar surface and a second crystal plane identical to the first crystal plane, and positioning the probe substrate so that the first and the second crystal planes are positioned identically when forming a probe from the probe substrate using the etch reagent, wherein the probe defines congruent surfaces to the first and second sidewalls.

Abstract: A method for spatially resolved detection and display of movement processes in an examination subject by means of magnetic resonance tomography includes the steps of imposing a magnetization pattern on at least a portion of a fluid medium located in the intestine of the examination subject, acquiring at least one image data set or a portion of an image data set that images the region of the examination subject on which the magnetization pattern was imposed, determining at least one item of movement information from the at least one image data set or portion of an image data set, by an analysis of the magnetization pattern in a processor, and presenting the at least one item of movement information through presentation device in communication with the processor.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks and at least one probe for scanning the storage medium. The storage medium may be comprised in a substrate. The probe comprises a cantilever that comprises terminals serving as electrical contacts an being during operation of the probe mechanically fixed to a probe-holding structure, which may be a common frame of the data storage device. A probe further comprises a supporting structure, to which the terminals are mechanically directly coupled or coupled via hinges and which extends away from the terminals. A tip with a nanoscale apex is provided. A beam structure comprises a heating resistor and is attached at ends to the supporting structure. The beam structure is thinned at least in a direction parallel to an axis of the tip compared to an area of the supporting structure abutting the beam structure.

Abstract: A test apparatus includes: test modules that communicate with the device under test to test the device under test; additional modules connected between the device under test and the test modules, each additional module performing a communication with the device under test, the communication being at least one of a communication performed at a higher speed and a communication performed with a lower latency, in comparison with a communication performed by the test modules; a test head having a plurality of connectors that connect the test modules and the additional modules, respectively, the test modules and the additional modules are mounted on the test head; a performance board placed on the test head that connects between at least a part of terminals of the plurality of connectors and the device under test. The test modules are connected to the additional modules without through the performance board.

Abstract: A shim arrangement for increasing the homogeneity of a magnetic field within a homogeneous field region, comprising: shim channels extending within a volume between a magnetic field generator and the homogeneous field region; at least one piece of shim material located within each shim channel; an arrangement for moving each shim piece along the corresponding shim channel; and retaining means for retaining each shim piece in position. Shimming is performed by moving shim pieces within the shim channels, with the magnet at field. No shim pieces are added to, or removed from, the shim channels during the shimming step.

Abstract: The efficiency and the field structure of an antenna arrangement for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus are improved by at least one impedance transformation circuit connected with the antenna.

Abstract: In a first slot of a plurality of adjacent slots in alignment with traces on a load board of a tester, first and second conductor layers, each to make electrical contact with both a load board trace and a DUT lead. Each of the first and second contacts receives force from a resilient element extending across the slots and that urges a contact point on the contact against at least one trace and a DUT lead. Insulation between said first and second contacts in the first slot electrically insulates the first and second contacts from each other within the first slot.

Abstract: A circuit for switching a PIN diode has a PIN diode and an inductor (in particular a coil) as well as a direct voltage source and a group of switches, wherein in a first switch setting of the group of switches the PIN diode can be fed with current from the direct voltage source in its admission direction; and in a further switch setting the PIN diode and the inductor are separated from the direct voltage source and are arranged in a closed current loop such that the inductor can generate a discharge current upon transitioning to the further switch setting, which discharge current is directed to the PIN diode opposite to the current generated by the direct voltage source (DC).

Abstract: A sample holding device, adapted for holding a sample, like a rodent or an MR phantom sample in a magnet bore of a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) device, comprises a sample carrier being adapted for an arrangement in the bore of the MRT device, wherein the sample carrier comprises a carrier platform for accommodating the sample and at least one clamping part with radial locking pieces being adapted for fixing the sample carrier in a hollow enclosure structure, wherein the at least one clamping part is connected with the carrier platform. Furthermore, an MRT device and a method of MRT imaging of a sample are described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) receiver using digital downconversion and subsampling tracks transmit and/or receive signal phases according to time(s) elapsed since reference times (e.g. reset times) corresponding to known phases. Carrier-frequency (fc) NMR signals are digitized directly, using a sampling frequency (fs) lower than fc. Digital downconversion and carrier phase correction are performed to yield NMR modulations of interest. A phase determination circuit may include an N-bit counter incremented at fs and an associated count register storing an indicator of a time elapsed since a carrier generator reset for each transient sampling period start, A real-time controller synchronously resets the counters and corresponding signal generators. A sin/cos lookup table maps counts to phase correction function values.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for identifying slides is disclosed, where samples such as tissue sample mounted to slides are labeled with information, and an image of the information is captured by a processing instrument. The image is analyzed, for example using optical character recognition, and information extracted from the image is used to determine the test to be applied to the slide by the processing instrument. Where information about the slide cannot be extracted from the image, the image is presented to a user to that the slide information, such as its identity or the test to be applied, may be selected by the user to allow the slide to be processed.

Abstract: A test circuit tests a nonvolatile circuit element having multiple intermediate states. The test circuit includes a waveform generator configured to apply a waveform to the circuit element connected to the test circuit. The waveform includes stress pulses applied to the circuit element over time. A detector detects a parameter of the circuit element as the waveform is applied to the circuit element.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for display of physiological data in a format useful for identifying or diagnosing physiological conditions. The system registers visual representations of different types of physiological data to aid in an understanding of bodily processes. In addition to registering the data, the system may display different types of physiological data with different visual characteristics. Further, the transparency of the visual representations of the different datasets may be controlled to enhance the understandability of displayed information. The system, for example, can be used with data representative of pressure and impedance within a patient's gastrointestinal tract to provide greater understanding of physiological processes during a swallow.

Abstract: A method of relating medical data image viewing planes to each other is provided. The method comprises defining at least two non-orthogonal two-dimensional (2D) image viewing planes in at least one three-dimensional (3D) medical image data set, and linking said 2D image viewing planes with a fixed relation to each other, such that when a first of said 2D image viewing planes is altered, the remaining 2D image viewing planes are automatically changed by said fixed relation with reference to said first 2D image viewing plane.

Abstract: To analyze an electric component in depth, provision is made to submit the aforementioned component to focused laser radiation. It is shown that by modifying the altitude of the focus in the component, some internal parts of the aforementioned component can be characterized more easily.

Abstract: Provision of a probe device, a processing device and a probe test capable of performing an efficient wafer probe test. A probe device, comprising a plurality of measuring stages to which a plurality of probe cards for inspecting semiconductor wafers are connected, respectively; a first conveying portion for conveying a semiconductor wafer to a first measuring stage to which a first probe card is connected; a first inspection control portion for controlling the inspection of the semiconductor wafer by the first probe card; a receiving portion for receiving stage information including information showing nonuse of the first measuring stage from a processing device; a second conveying portion for conveying the semiconductor wafer to a second measuring stage, to which a second probe card different from the first probe card is connected, according to the received stage information; and a second inspection control portion for controlling the inspection of the semiconductor wafer by the second probe card.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multilevel inverter for generating an AC output voltage, having at least seven potential levels, from a DC voltage source such that the generated AC voltage produces a current in a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided.