Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is attached to a feature to be deployed on a satellite. The apparatus includes a first material having an impedance, a second material coupled to the first material configured to provide a current or voltage to the first material causing the first material to generate heat based on the impedance after a launch process of a launch vehicle carrying the satellite has completed, and a third material configured to change state at a transition temperature. A release mechanism is coupled to the third material and holds the feature in an undeployed position on the satellite. The heat generated by the second material causes the third material to change state when the transition temperature range is reached and the release mechanism is released from the third material when the third material is in the second state to deploy the feature.

Abstract: A system for providing a personal and portable ranging system that is configured to make a user more aware of the objects surrounding them. The ranging system comprising a sensor unit comprising at least one ranging sensor, a processing unit configured to receive information obtained from the at least one ranging sensor and configured to provide at least one output notification signal, and a notification device configured to provide at least one alert signal in response to the at least one output notification signal. The notification device can provide information regarding objects detected by the ranging system.

Abstract: A disposable interventional medical device assembly for use with a color ultrasonic imaging system or other ultrasonic systems sensitive to motion. The assembly includes an interventional medical device having an elongated member for insertion into an interior region of a body under investigation, and piezo driver assembly coupled to the member of the interventional medical device. The driver assembly produces a vibratory oscillation which causes the member to exhibit a flexural motion in response thereto, the flexural motion having a zero amplitude point and a maximum amplitude point, wherein the driver assembly is coupled to the member at a point located between the zero amplitude point and the maximum amplitude point of the member's flexural motion. In one embodiment of the present invention, the interventional medical device can be a biopsy needle wherein the elongated member is the shaft of the biopsy needle.

Abstract: A scanning system that is forward looking that uses ultrasound for intraluminal imaging. A transducer that emits ultrasonic signals is nutatably mounted on the tip of a probe. The front mounted transducer enables intraluminal scanning of an oncoming area or volume as the probe moves to a selected position in a lumen or body cavity. Cables are used to nutate the transducer so as to provide spiral or raster scanning patterns. The cables are driven by programmable electromagnetic drives. Three dimensional images are then obtained from the reflected ultrasonic signals.

Abstract: A VIBER vibrating mechanism is coupled to a cannula or needle and operates to provide flexural vibrations to move the needle and to enable detection of the position of a needle within a body of interest by a color ultrasound imaging system. The VIBER mechanism exhibits multiple modes of oscillation when energized. The VIBER mechanism is excited to exhibit predetermined oscillations at a given frequency in the X plane, a predetermined oscillation at another frequency in the Y plane and still another frequency of oscillation in the Z plane. In this manner, the VIBER mechanism device exhibits motion in all three planes, which motion is detectable by a conventional color ultrasound imaging system. The frequency of oscillation is a function of the entire system, namely the VIBER mechanism, the needle or cannula which is attached to the VIBER mechanism and the tissue. The resonant frequency is preferred as it provides larger vibrational amplitudes.

Abstract: A VIBER vibrating mechanism is coupled to a cannula or needle and operates to provide flexural vibrations to move the needle and to enable detection of the position of a needle within a body of interest by a color ultrasound imaging system. The VIBER mechanism exhibits multiple modes of oscillation when energized. The VIBER mechanism is excited to exhibit predetermined oscillations at a given frequency in the X plane, a predetermined oscillation at another frequency in the Y plane and still another frequency of oscillation in the Z plane. In this manner, the VIBER mechanism device exhibits motion in all three planes, which motion is detectable by a conventional color ultrasound imaging system. The frequency of oscillation is a function of the entire system, namely the VIBER mechanism, the needle or cannula which is attached to the VIBER mechanism and the tissue. The resonant frequency is preferred as it provides larger vibrational amplitudes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for use in locating devices with an ultrasonic imaging system which is sensitive over a broad range of angles of incident acoustic beams, such as those beams emitted in ultrasonic systems, has a curved surface, and is an annular member in shape. The elongated catheter or other device passes through the opening of the annular transducer. Based on the shape of such transducers and the wavelength used, the response of the transducers is a function of the angle of the insonifying beam to the catheter axis. The particular response of such transducers is shown to depend on the curvature of the annular marker, with the radius of curvature chosen on the basis of the wavelength used in the ultrasonic scanning system; between 2-50 wavelengths.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ultrasonic scanning apparatus for directing ultrasonic energy towards a body under investigation, such as the body of a person. The scanning apparatus consists of a focussed ultrasonic transducer which is capable of radiating a beam of ultrasonic energy in a given direction. The beam emanating from the transducer impinges upon at least one surface of a rotating reflector where the rotating reflector directs the beam relatively perpendicular to the direction of the beam as propagated from the transducer. The redirected beam can then be further focussed or reflected to further shape the beam prior to directing the beam towards the body under investigation.

Abstract: A solid steel stylet is carried coaxially within a hollow biopsy needle. The stylet carries a matching layer at its tip, such that when the needle and stylet are inserted into the body, ultrasound energy impinging on the needle tip is converted to pressure waves which are conveyed back up the stylet. An ultrasound transducer located outside the body is coupled to receive sonic energy from the stylet, and to convert it to electrical energy for coordination with, and superposition upon the image of the system.

Abstract: A circular ultrasound transducer is divided into separate semi-circular transducer elements. Each element is separately operable, and each is aligned with similarly configured lens segments having different focal zones.

Abstract: Ultrasound breast scanning and diagnosis is achieved by suspending the breast in a water pool, in which is immersed a wide aperture transducer/lens assembly. The water path is defined by two separate segments, an upper one, into which the breast is suspended, contained by a flexible sonically transparent bag member, and the lower being contained in a longitudinally movable tank which is filled to contact with the bag member portion protruding into the tank.