Abstract: A shutter has two engagement portions projecting from a shielding portion, and extending in an attachment direction of the shutter. A lock portion is formed elastically deformably, and a lock claw portion is provided on a tip portion of each lock portion. The lock claw portion is projected toward an outer side in a width direction intersecting an attachment direction of the shutter. Two different inclined surfaces, a second inclined surface and a first inclined surface, are formed on a tip side of the lock claw portion. According to this arrangement, it becomes possible to realize both weakened sliding resistance between the second inclined surface and the attachment contact portion by minimizing an inclination angle of the second inclined surface, and increased sliding resistance between the first inclined surface and a return contact portion by maximizing the inclination angle of the first inclined surface. Thereby, both shutter attachment and return of the shutter to the initial position can be realized.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a power amplifier; a load that is operatively connected to be electrically driven from the power amplifier; and an impedance monitor that is configured to in real-time identify a favorable segment within an output waveform of the power amplifier, model the baseline power spectral density of a load driven by the power amplifier during the identified segment of the output waveform, sample an empirical power spectral density of the load during the identified segment of the output waveform, and indicate a load fault in the event that the empirical power spectral density deviates from the baseline power spectral density beyond at least one pre-determined error criteria.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum unit includes a photosensitive drum, a drum shaft, a resin frame, and a conducting member. The drum shaft is inserted through the photosensitive drum. The resin frame supports opposite ends of the drum shaft. The conducting member is a substantially coil-shaped spring member having a first end adjacent to the resin frame and a second end opposite to the first end. The conducting member is tapered from the first end toward the second end. The first end forms a first opening and the second end forms a second opening. A circle inscribed in the second opening has a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the drum shaft.

Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging examination apparatus having multiple subsystems, current ambient conditions in a scan volume of the apparatus are determined and stored in a global ambient condition parameter set. A control computer starts a scan sequence according to a selected scan protocol, and sequence control data that define different functional sub-sequences for the respective subsystems are provided to the control computer. Different effective volumes are assigned to each functional sub-sequence, and respective current sub-regions in the effective volume associated with the respective sub-sequence are determined, in which a volume optimization is to take place. Control signals for the scan sequence are calculated using the sequence control data, the global ambient condition parameter set, and the determined current sub-regions of the affected volumes, in order to optimize the functional sub-sequences at least with regard to the current sub-region of the assigned effective volume.

Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus having subsystems, a control protocol assigned to a scan sequence to be performed is provided to a control computer that determines sequence control data for the control protocol, which define different functional subsequences of the scan sequence. Different effective volumes are assigned to each functional subsequence, and current ambient conditions of the apparatus are determined for the sequence control data and associated effective volumes, for a series of states of physiological processes that occur during the scan sequence. Control signals for the scan sequence are determined from the sequence control data, the effective volumes and the current ambient conditions per observed state, that optimize the functional subsequences of the scan sequence locally.

Abstract: A fixing device includes: a fixing belt with no ends configured to stretch rotatably; a heating unit configured to heat the fixing belt; a fixing member disposed outside the fixing belt and configured to be in contact with the fixing belt by pressurizing; a pressing member disposed inside the fixing belt and configured to press the fixing member with the fixing belt involved; and a lubricant supply unit configured to supply a lubricant to the inner periphery of the fixing belt so as to supply the lubricant between the pressing member and the fixing belt, wherein the lubricant supply unit is disposed inside the fixing belt, configured to hold the lubricant, and includes a holding unit provided with a lubricant ejection port having a longitudinal shape and extending along a width direction of the fixing belt.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a fuser assembly including a heater member. The heater member includes at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor to sense a temperature of the heating element. A first power control unit is coupled to the at least one temperature sensor and operative to calculate at least one power level for the at least one heating element based upon at least one set-point temperature therefor and the temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensor. A second power control unit is coupled to the first power control unit, receives the calculated at least one power level and selects, based upon the calculated power level, at least one actual power level from a stored plurality of predetermined power levels. The second power control unit controls a power for the at least one heating element based upon the selected at least one actual power level.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a fixing rotator, a pressure rotator, and a cleaning device. The cleaning device cleans a surface of at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The cleaning device includes a cleaning web, a web holder, a winder, a cleaning pressure rotator, a pressure applier, and a temporary holder. The cleaning web slides over and cleans the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The web holder holds and sends out the cleaning web. The winder winds the cleaning web. The cleaning pressure rotator presses the cleaning web against the at least one of the fixing rotator and the pressure rotator. The pressure applier presses against the cleaning web along a width direction of the cleaning web perpendicular to a direction in which the cleaning web is wound. The temporary holder temporarily holds the pressure applier.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method and system are provided for projection MR imaging of vascular structures within a subject, with scan times that are shorter than those needed for conventional techniques. Image acquisition sequences are synchronized with heartbeat cycles of the subject, and are configured to generate image data having a reduced spatial resolution in the projection direction perpendicular to a preselected projection plane. A reduction factor F quantifies this reduced resolution, such that the number of data acquisition sequences provided within each heartbeat cycle is F times as many as a comparable imaging protocol that generates full-resolution data. The total scan time can be reduced by a factor of F with negligible degradation in the projection image quality.

Abstract: A controller that is operatively connected with a magnet assembly, which defines a target volume; and an image processor, which is configured to obtain calibration data from the controller; map B1 transmit intensity from the magnet assembly to the target volume, based on the calibration data; calculate a B1 transmit shading correction based at least on the map of B1 transmit intensity and on pulse sequence parameters; obtain k-space data of an imaging subject within the target volume from the controller operating the magnet assembly based on the pulse sequence parameters; develop an MR image from the k-space data; and apply the B1 transmit shading correction to the MR image.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging with a music-based gradient curve, a magnetic resonance sequence and a piece of music are provided to a controller of a magnetic resonance apparatus. The piece of music is modified in the controller by taking into account at least one acoustic resonance parameter that characterizes at least one acoustic resonance frequency of the magnetic resonance apparatus, so a modified piece of music is generated. A gradient curve of the magnetic resonance sequence is adjusted using the modified piece of music, so an adjusted magnetic resonance sequence is generated. Magnetic resonance image data of the examination object is acquired by operation of the apparatus with of the adjusted magnetic resonance sequence.

Abstract: A developing device includes a developer bearer facing a latent image bearer, to rotate and supply developer to the latent image bearer, and a developer regulator to regulate an amount of the developer on a surface of the developer bearer. The developer regulator is in contact with the surface of the developer bearer. In the developing device, a ratio of a ten-point mean roughness of the developer regulator to a volume average particle diameter of the developer is not greater than 3.5%. The ratio is defined as Rzjis/Dv×100, where Rzjis represents the ten-point mean roughness measured in a nip-adjacent portion of a face of the developer regulator opposing the developer bearer, and Dv represents the volume average particle diameter of the developer. The nip-adjacent portion is adjacent to and downstream a downstream end of a regulation nip in a rotation direction of the developer bearer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a process cartridge and a main body with an opening and a cartridge supporter is provided. The process cartridge includes a drum cartridge; a toner cartridge attachable to the drum cartridge; and a switching member switchable states in the process cartridge between a first state, wherein detachment of the toner cartridge is restricted, and a second state, wherein the toner cartridge is released from the restriction. The cartridge supporter is movable between a first position, wherein the cartridge supporter supports the process cartridge to be placed entirely in an inner space in the main body on an inner side of the opening, and a second position, wherein the cartridge supporter supports the process cartridge to be at least partly placed outside the inner space. When the cartridge supporter is in the second position, the switching member is at least partly placed outside the inner space.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, an inverse recovery pulse is emitted and execution of an image acquisition sequence wherein, magnetic resonance image data are received is begun after a delayed recovery time of the inverse recovery pulse. A magnetic resonance image is reconstructed from the acquired magnetic resonance image data. The longitudinal relaxation time is obtained based on a known time after the inverse recovery pulse and a magnetization quantity of the known time. A second relaxation time is thereby able to be fully taken into account, so as to avoid a deviation of the longitudinal relaxation time. The range of application of the Look-Locker method is expanded, so that the present invention obtains an accurate longitudinal relaxation time no matter whether a delay exists before a sampled sequence.

Abstract: A sensor comprising: a dielectric waveguide for guiding a microwave signal; and a dielectric reflector at an end of the dielectric waveguide to cause formation of a sensing field beyond an outer surface of the dielectric reflector.

Abstract: A misattachment prevention device for an image forming unit includes multiple developer containing parts that contain individual color developers, and process parts each of which is capable to be engaged with any of the developer containing parts, and forms the image forming unit for an individual color by having one of the developer containing parts engaged, wherein (c) each of the process parts is provided with an intermediate locking member guide part in a place opposing the one of the developer containing parts, and (d) the intermediate locking member guide part is provided with an intermediate locking member that is locked with a locking part formed on the one of the individual developer containing parts, protruded from the intermediate locking member guide part to a side of an apparatus main body, and locked with a locked part formed on the apparatus main body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing a rigid, shaped, non-planar radiofrequency coil including: a) placing a number of coil elements selected from one and a desired plurality of coil elements on to a flexible substrate to make a coil; b) laying the coil flat and covering it with foam; c) and subsequently applying the foam covered coil to a first mechanical former capable of holding the coil rigid in a desired configuration.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a belt, and a belt guide configured to guide movement of the belt. The belt guide includes a base part and a first protrusion protruding from a surface of the base part toward a surface of the belt. The first protrusion has a distal end surface and a side surface, the surface of the belt being configured to contact the distal end surface, the distal end surface having a distal surface roughness, the side surface connecting the distal end surface and the surface of the base part. At least one of the side surface and the surface of the base part includes a rough region having a surface roughness higher than the distal surface roughness.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for quantifying microscopic diffusion anisotropy and/or mean diffusivity in a material by analysis of echo attenuation curves acquired with two different gradient modulations schemes, wherein one gradient modulation scheme is based on isotropic diffusion weighting and the other gradient modulation scheme is based on non-isotropic diffusion weighting, and wherein the method comprises analyzing by comparing the signal decays of the two acquired echo attenuation curves.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an MRI magnet (100) including a bore (101) and having a magnetic field and a gradient coil (400) disposed within the bore and having an isocenter (404). A first location within the MRI magnet is determined with respect to a first predetermined reference surface of the MRI magnet, the first location representing a center (104) of the magnetic field. A second location within the gradient coil is determined with respect to a second predetermined reference surface of the gradient coil, the second location representing the isocenter. When the gradient coil is installed within the bore, the second predetermined reference surface abuts the first predetermined reference surface.