Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system has an array of ultrasound transducers comprising a set of sub-arrays of transducers. Each transducer (100) has an analogue buffer (106). Each sub-array of transducers has a signal path (102, 104) from within the array of ultrasound transducers to outside the array of ultrasound transducers which comprises one or more hops between the buffers (106). To reduce the signal line length from inside the array of ultrasound transducers to the periphery, at least some multiple hops between buffers (106) are provided. Each buffer hop introduces a delay, but prevents signal degradation so that a large number of analog signals can be transmitted across the large area ASIC of the transducer array.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe including a probe body having a mounting area and a flexible lip around said mounting area for sealing a space between the mounting area and a subject contacted by the ultrasound probe; and a number of ultrasound transducer elements mounted in the mounting area. The probe body further includes an inlet to said space and an outlet from said space for facilitating a fluid flow through said space when sealed. Also included are an ultrasound system including such an ultrasound probe and a method of subjecting a subject to ultrasound waves generated with such an ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A pliable cover adapted to cover an active area of an ultrasound probe is described. The ultrasound probe includes a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The pliable cover includes a polymer layer that holds a coupling agent (4) that couples the ultrasound transducer elements to a body surface and a regular pattern of channels extending through the pliable cover. An ultrasound probe arrangement is also described and includes the pliable cover. An ultrasound system including the ultrasound probe arrangement, and a method of positioning the ultrasound probe in a region of a body are also described.

Abstract: An active matrix array of electroactive polymer actuators is provided, each electroactive polymer actuator having a switching arrangement. The switching arrangement comprises a first circuit (90) connected to a first terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator, for selectively driving the first terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator to ground or connecting it to an open circuit. A second circuit (92) is connected to a second terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator, for selectively driving the second terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator to ground or connecting it to an open circuit. Furthermore, a pull-up component (50) is permanently connected between a drive voltage and the first terminal of the electroactive polymer generator. By controlling both terminals of the electroactive polymer actuator, it is possible to reduce static power consumption, at least when no voltage is to be stored across the electroactive polymer actuator.

Abstract: An active matrix array of electroactive polymer actuators (36) is provided, each electroactive polymer actuator (36) having a switching arrangement (34). The switching arrangement comprises an input which is connected to a respective data line (30) and an output which is connected to a first terminal of the associated electroactive polymer actuator (36), wherein a second terminal of each electroactive polymer actuator is connected to a control line (110). A driver provides drive signals which comprise at least first and second drive levels for application to the data lines and third and fourth drive levels for application to the control line. Use is made of of common electrode driving (i.e. the control line driving) to enable low transistor control voltages to be used to switch larger voltages across the electroactive polymer actuators.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system has an array of ultrasound transducers comprising a set of sub-arrays of transducers. Each transducer (100) has an analogue buffer (106). Each sub-array of transducers has a signal path (102, 104) from within the array of ultrasound transducers to outside the array of ultrasound transducers which comprises one or more hops between the buffers (106). To reduce the signal line length from inside the array of ultrasound transducers to the periphery, at least some multiple hops between buffers (106) are provided. Each buffer hop introduces a delay, but prevents signal degradation so that a large number of analog signals can be transmitted across the large area ASIC of the transducer array.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: The device as defined by the claims comprises electroactive polymer actuators (30) each of which is addressed by two addressing lines for selecting the electroactive polymer actuator and a current direction drive mode. A first circuit (42) is for driving a controllable current through the electroactive actuator in a first direction and a second circuit (44) is for driving a controllable current through the electroactive actuator in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. This device enables an actuator to be driven with current in two opposite directions so that the actuator may be driven bidirectionally between actuation states.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe (100) is disclosed comprising a probe body (120) having a mounting area (121) and a flexible lip (123) around said mounting area for sealing a space (110) between the mounting area and a subject (1) contacted by the ultrasound probe; and a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (130) mounted in the mounting area. The probe body further comprises an inlet (125) to said space and an outlet (127) from said space for facilitating a fluid flow through said space when sealed. Also disclosed are an ultrasound system (10) comprising such an ultrasound probe (100) and a method (200) of subjecting a subject to ultrasound waves generated with such an ultrasound probe (100).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: An active matrix array of electroactive polymer actuators is provided, each electroactive polymer actuator having a switching arrangement. The switching arrangement comprises a first circuit (90) connected to a first terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator, for selectively driving the first terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator to ground or connecting it to an open circuit. A second circuit (92) is connected to a second terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator, for selectively driving the second terminal of the electroactive polymer actuator to ground or connecting it to an open circuit. Furthermore, a pull-up component (50) is permanently connected between a drive voltage and the first terminal of the electroactive polymer generator. By controlling both terminals of the electroactive polymer actuator, it is possible to reduce static power consumption, at least when no voltage is to be stored across the electroactive polymer actuator.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises an active matrix array of rows and columns of electroactive polymer actuators, each electroactive polymer actuator having a switching circuit. The switching circuit has a drive transistor and a capacitor arrangement. The capacitor arrangement is charged to a voltage derived from a drive voltage for the electroactive polymer actuator combined with a voltage derived from the drive transistor threshold voltage. During this programming of the capacitor arrangement, the EAP actuator is isolated from any current flowing. The switching circuit enables compensation for age-related changes in the threshold voltage. Thus, a low performance (i.e. with poor threshold voltage stability) transistor may be used, with measurement of the threshold voltage of the current-providing TFT once per frame time (or once per multiple frame times) to compensate for the aging effect.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for DNA sequencing, comprising DNA base calling at an early stage in the detection and processing of time controlled fluorescence detection for DNA sequencing applications.

Abstract: A pliable cover (1) for covering an active area of an ultrasound probe (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (130) is disclosed. The cover comprises a polymer layer (2, 2?) for containing a coupling agent (4) for coupling the ultrasound transducer elements to a body surface and a regular pattern of channels (5) extending through the pliable cover. Also disclosed is an ultrasound probe arrangement including the pliable cover, an ultrasound system and method of positioning the ultrasound probe on a body region.

Abstract: An actuator device comprises an active matrix array of rows and columns of electroactive polymer actuators, each electroactive polymer actuator having a switching circuit. The switching circuit has a drive transistor and a capacitor arrangement. The capacitor arrangement is charged to a voltage derived from a drive voltage for the electroactive polymer actuator combined with a voltage derived from the drive transistor threshold voltage. During this programming of the capacitor arrangement, the EAP actuator is isolated from any current flowing. The switching circuit enables compensation for age-related changes in the threshold voltage. Thus, a low performance (i.e. with poor threshold voltage stability) transistor may be used, with measurement of the threshold voltage of the current-providing TFT once per frame time (or once per multiple frame times) to compensate for the aging effect.

Abstract: An active matrix array of electroactive polymer actuators (36) is provided, each electroactive polymer actuator (36) having a switching arrangement (34). The switching arrangement comprises an input which is connected to a respective data line (30) and an output which is connected to a first terminal of the associated electroactive polymer actuator (36), wherein a second terminal of each electroactive polymer actuator is connected to a control line (110). A driver provides drive signals which comprise at least first and second drive levels for application to the data lines and third and fourth drive levels for application to the control line. Use is made of of common electrode driving (i.e. the control line driving) to enable low transistor control voltages to be used to switch larger voltages across the electroactive polymer actuators.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.

Abstract: A user device may provide a graphical user interface which presents content navigation objects, where each content navigation object may be associated with a content item and is presented within a portion of the graphical user interface. The user device may detect an action that corresponds to a content navigation object, and determine whether the detected action is a command to display content options that may be contextually related to the content item associated with the content navigation object. The user device may display the content options by altering the appearance of the content navigation object, receive an action selecting the content option from the displayed content options, and conceal the content options after the action for selecting the content option has been received.

Abstract: A sorbent is described, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams including 20-75% by weight of copper (expressed as copper (II) oxide) in the form of one or more copper sulphides, the sorbent having a sulphur to copper atomic ratio in the range 0.7 to 0.95:1.