Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing device including a flexible cylindrical rotary member and an inner-surface opposing portion that opposes an inner surface of the rotary member at an end portion of the rotary member in a generatrix direction. The inner-surface opposing portion moves upstream in a recording material conveying direction in accordance with lateral shift of the rotary member in the generatrix direction. This restricts the lateral shift of the rotary member.

Abstract: In a method to improved positioning of slices in which measurement data is to be recorded, a planning image of an examination object is provided that has been distortion-corrected using non-linearity data describing a non-linearity of a gradient unit of the magnetic resonance system, a desired field of view and desired slices in the at least one planning image are selected, a measurement protocol to record the measurement data is loaded, switchable gradients and/or emittable RF pulses are adapted, as a function of the non-linearity data that has been loaded and the desired slices, such that the desired slices are excited despite the non-linearities of the gradient unit, and the loaded measurement protocol is performed in the selected field of view, using the adapted gradients to be switched and/or adapted RF pulses. The measurement protocol may include switchable gradients and the emittable RF pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a tube may include a first probe holder, a second probe holder, and an eddy current sensor. The first probe holder may be configured to hold a first portion of the tube. The second probe holder may be rotatably connected to the first probe holder with respect to an axial direction of the tube, the second probe holder configured to hold a second portion of the tube. The eddy current sensor may be on any one of the first probe holder and the second probe holder, the eddy current sensor configured to inspect at least one welding portion of the tube using at least one eddy current. Thus, the eddy current sensor may accurately inspect the welding portion of the small tube held by the first probe holder and the second probe holder.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a photosensitive member, a developing device including a developing roller, pressing members configured to engage with the developing device and springs configured to urge the pressing members. In some examples, each of the pressing members may be configured to contact and move the developing device between various positions based on the urging of the springs. Additionally or alternatively, various ends of a contact surface of the developing roller configured to contact developer may be disposed relative to an axis line of the developing roller and pressing surfaces of the pressing members.

Abstract: A calibration monitoring system is provided to automatically monitor the calibration status of tools and other inventory items, such as upon the items being issued from or returned to the automated calibration monitoring system. The system identifies an inventory item, for example a calibrated torque wrench or other calibrated tool identified based on a unique identifying tag attached thereto. The system retrieves a calibration parameter value for the item from a calibration database, and completes a calibration measurement of the item based on the calibration parameter value. In the example, a torque measurement of the calibrated torque wrench can thus be automatically completed. In turn, the system determines a current calibration status of the item based on the calibration measurement, and selectively enables or disables issuance of the inventory item from the system according to the item's status as being in calibration or out of calibration.

Abstract: A method for preparing magnetic resonance imaging of an object under examination is described. A plurality of representative pulse sequence segments are generated, each of which is associated with a reference gradient amplitude of the gradient pulse having the highest stimulation potential of the representative pulse sequence segment, and the stimulation potential of which is representative of a group of partially different pulse sequences. For each of the representative pulse sequence segments, a maximum gradient slew rate is determined for which a permitted maximum value of the stimulation potential is not exceeded. One of the representative pulse sequence segments is determined and selected, for a measurement protocol to be planned for a magnetic resonance imaging to be performed, according to the gradient amplitude of the gradient pulse having the highest stimulation potential of a pulse sequence segment of the pulse sequence on which the measurement protocol is based.

Abstract: A method of setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system (1) uses a first reference frequency signal, obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable long term frequency reference. A second frequency source (24) is calibrated using the first frequency reference signal and the second frequency reference source (24) is then used as the master clock for the MRI system (1), for setting the RF operating frequency.

Abstract: A lumen inspection device includes an elongate member and a sealing member at a distal end of the elongate member. The elongate member is inserted into a lumen of a medical instrument. The lumen inspection device is translated along the lumen. The sealing member resiliently bears against a sidewall of the lumen as the lumen inspection device is translated along the lumen of the medical instrument. A pressure source is activated to pressurize a region of the lumen adjacent to the sealing member. A fluid property of the lumen is monitored to detect whether the sealing member deforms in response to an obstruction in the lumen.

Abstract: An occluded hydrogen content estimation method implemented by an occluded hydrogen content estimation device performs an occluded hydrogen content estimation step in which, based on an occluded hydrogen unit content which is a content of hydrogen occluded in a metal due to a change in humidity from a wet state to a dry state, a period after the metal is placed, and meteorological data corresponding to the period for an area where the metal is located, a content of occluded hydrogen that is absorbed in the metal for the period after the metal is placed is estimated. In the occluded hydrogen content estimation step, the occluded hydrogen content is estimated by multiplying the number of rainfalls in the meteorological data by the occluded hydrogen unit content.

Abstract: Scan time in diffusion-relaxation magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) is reduced by implementing time-division multiplexing (“TDM”). In general, time-shifted radio frequency (“RF”) pulses are used to excite two or more imaging volumes. These RF pulses are applied to induce separate echoes for each slice. Diffusion MRI data can thus be acquired with different echo times, or alternatively with the same echo time, in significantly reduced overall scan time. Multidimensional correlations between diffusion and relaxation parameters can be estimated from the resulting data.

Abstract: Described are acoustic absorber materials with high acoustic attenuation and high thermal conductivity comprising an inorganic, porous foam and an absorbing material within at least a portion of the pores of the foam, ultrasound transducers and devices including the same, as well as methods of making the materials.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device includes an assembly of ultrasound transducers. The ultrasound transducers are divided into a plurality of sub-assemblies each having P ultrasound transducers. The ultrasound imaging device further includes, for each sub-assembly, K transceiver circuits and a configurable routing circuit coupling the P ultrasound transducers of the sub-assembly to the K transceiver circuits where P and K are integers greater than or equal to 2, with K smaller than P. Each sub-assembly further includes at least one mobile transducer capable of being, via the routing circuit, disconnected or connected to any one of a plurality of predefined transceiver circuits among the K transceiver circuits of the sub-assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a distributed mufti-sensor witness integrity sensing platform (WISP) approach which allows for positioning of sensors in an enclosed space. In particular, a WISP platform is divided into two modules, with a base module is connected to multiple edge sensor modules with a wired connection. In general, splitting up the distributed WISP system described herein allows multiple sensors to be placed in an enclosed (and generally inaccessible) location. The sensor data can be transmitted from the multiple edge sensor modules via a connection to the base module. Additionally, the use of the two module system as provided herein allows the sensors to be positioned meters away from the first module.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of mass spectrometry comprising the steps of: providing a library of matrix data, said matrix data comprising one or more physico-chemical properties of one or more matrix components as a function of retention time; chromatographically separating a sample, said sample containing at least some of said matrix components and one or more analyte components; analysing said sample at a plurality of retention times to obtain sample data, said sample data comprising one or more physico-chemical properties of one or more sample components as a function of retention time; and calculating one or more error values as a function of retention time based on a comparison between said sample data and said matrix data.

Abstract: A position detection device includes a magnet that generates a magnetic field to be detected, and a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field to be detected and generates a detection value corresponding to the position of the magnet. The magnetic field to be detected has a first direction that changes within a first plane, at a reference position in the first plane. The magnetic sensor includes four MR elements. Each of the MR elements includes a first magnetic layer having first magnetization that can change in direction within a second plane corresponding to the each of the MR elements. The first plane and the second plane intersect at a dihedral angle ? other than 90°. A detection value depends on the direction of the first magnetization.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor capable of preventing degradation of magnetic measurement accuracy is obtained. The magnetic sensor includes a first sensor portion, a second sensor portion, and a connection portion. The first sensor portion extends in a first direction. The second sensor portion is disposed at an interval from the first sensor portion in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first sensor portion includes a first end and a second end that are ends in the first direction. The second sensor portion includes a third end and a fourth end that are ends in the first direction. The connection portion connects the second end and the third end. The first sensor portion, the second sensor portion, and the connection portion are constituted of a multilayer body of a magnetic sensor element and a magnet. The magnet applies a bias magnetic field to the magnetic sensor element.

Abstract: One example includes an atomic sensor system. The system includes an optical source configured to provide an optical beam and a plurality of sensor cell systems. Each of the sensor cell systems includes sensing media enclosed in a volume therein. The system also includes optics configured to provide the optical beam to each of the sensor cell systems to provide interaction of the optical beam with the vapor in each of the respective sensor cell systems. The optical beam exiting each of the sensor cell systems is a respective detection beam. The system further includes a detection system comprising at least one configured to receive the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems and to determine a measurable parameter based on an optical characteristic associated with the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems.

Abstract: Single-sided MRI apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed. A method can include transmitting a frequency sweep excitation pulse comprising a low-to-high frequency sweep; phase encoding during the frequency sweep excitation pulse; and tuning the amount of phase accumulated during the frequency sweep excitation pulse from adjacent slices in the slab. The frequency sweep excitation pulse can be a chirp pulse. Encoding in this way can prevent spin echoes from drifting and prevent k-space truncation in certain instances. Moreover, the resultant images can be combined more efficiently.

Abstract: A micromechanical component, in particular, an inertial sensor, including a seismic mass, a substrate, and a cap. The component includes a reference electrode, which is in a first electrode layer and is connected to the substrate, and a further reference electrode, which is in a second electrode layer and is connected to the cap. The seismic mass is deflectable on two sides, in a direction perpendicular to the major plane of extension of the reference electrode. The seismic mass includes a flexible limit stop in the direction of deflection towards the first electrode layer. The flexible limit stop is connected to the main part of the seismic mass using a spring element. The spring element is in an elastic layer, which is positioned between a layer of the main part of the seismic mass and the first electrode layer.

Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic resonance scanner includes determining a radio frequency (RF) pulse to be transmitted to jointly homogenize a flip angle and a semisolid saturation that would result from magnetization of a sample to be scanned by the MR scanner using the determined RF pulse. The method also includes controlling an RF transmit coil of the MR scanner to transmit the determined pulse. Homogenizing both semisolid saturation and excitation properties of the RF pulse allows for improved magnetic transfer ratio imaging.