Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for selecting radio frequency (RF) coil array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In one embodiment, the method comprises grouping the plurality of coil elements into receiving elements groups (REGs) according to REGs information, generating channel sensitivity maps for the plurality of coil elements, generating REG sensitivity maps based on the REGs information and the channel sensitivity maps, selecting one or more REGs based on the REG sensitivity maps and a region of interest (ROI), and scanning the ROI with the coil elements of the one or more selected REGs being activated and the coil elements not in any selected REGs being deactivated. In this way, coil arrays may be automatically selected for improved image quality of the MRI.

Abstract: A tunable hydraulic vibration damping mount comprises a universal outer housing, inner sleeve, main spring assembly, bottom compliance assembly, and inner bushing. Each of a plurality of flow channel members comprises a cylinder having a common inner diameter, a common outer diameter, and a helical track having a cross-sectional area and a length defining a volume of the helical track. The helical track of each flow channel member defines a different volume. A selected flow channel member is positioned between the inner bushing and the outer housing and between the main spring assembly and the bottom compliance assembly. The selected flow channel member provides a selected dynamic performance of the damping mount.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for selecting radio frequency (RF) coil array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In one embodiment, the method comprises grouping the plurality of coil elements into receiving elements groups (REGs) according to REGs information, generating channel sensitivity maps for the plurality of coil elements, generating REG sensitivity maps based on the REGs information and the channel sensitivity maps, selecting one or more REGs based on the REG sensitivity maps and a region of interest (ROI), and scanning the ROI with the coil elements of the one or more selected REGs being activated and the coil elements not in any selected REGs being deactivated. In this way, coil arrays may be automatically selected for improved image quality of the MRI.

Abstract: A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system for use with structural objects having an optical device, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative to the structural object to be tested, the optical device including an image receiving device for receiving visual images and the data store being configured to record the received visual images, the image receiving device being spaced from the image arrangement by an optical spacing such that the image receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of the structural object and the image arrangement being within the portion, the image arrangement having at least one image element wherein movement of the at least one image element during a measurement period provides image data to calculate structural object strain and/or structural object displacement.

Abstract: A non-contact strain and/or displacement measurement system for use with structural objects having an optical device, a data store and an image arrangement that is fixed relative to the structural object to be tested, the optical device including an image receiving device for receiving visual images and the data store being configured to record the received visual images, the image receiving device being spaced from the image arrangement by an optical spacing such that the image receiving device has a visual range that includes a portion of the structural object and the image arrangement being within the portion, the image arrangement having at least one image element wherein movement of the at least one image element during a measurement period provides image data to calculate structural object strain and/or structural object displacement.

Abstract: An control interface and system is provided that allows users to use a handheld device to communicates with an electronic billboard through a host server. The interface allows users to display information, as well as interact with information that is displayed on the electronic billboard. In order to establish this communication, a user, through their handheld device, communicates with a host server, which provides them with one or more available services that they can invoke in order to communicate with the display.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces an image with an extended focal range by transmitting a plurality of beams spaced along an array for multiline reception. The receive multilines of a plurality of transmit beams are spatially aligned and are combined with phase adjustment between the respective receive multilines to prevent undesired phase cancellation. The combined multilines produce the effect of an extended transmit focus so that an image produced using the combined multilines exhibits an extended focal range. To prevent motion artifacts the multiline order is adjustable as a function of image motion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described in which spatially compounded images are produced by transmitting ultrasound beams in different directions during a common transmit-receive interval. Echoes are received from the different beam directions and are beamformed by a multiline beamformer to produce differently steered beams of coherent echo signals. The echoes are combined on a spatial basis with echoes from different look directions which correspond to the same spatial location being combined. The resulting spatially compounded image is displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces an image with an extended focal range by transmitting a plurality of beams spaced along an array for multiline reception. The receive multilines of a plurality of transmit beams are spatially aligned and are combined with phase adjustment between the respective receive multilines to prevent undesired phase cancellation. The combined multilines produce the effect of an extended transmit focus so that an image produced using the combined multilines exhibits an extended focal range. To prevent motion artifacts the multiline order is adjustable as a function of image motion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described in which spatially compounded images are produced by transmitting ultrasound beams in different directions during a common transmit-receive interval. Echoes are received from the different beam directions and are beamformed by a multiline beamformer to produce differently steered beams of coherent echo signals. The echoes are combined on a spatial basis with echoes from different look directions which correspond to the same spatial location being combined. The resulting spatially compounded image is displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to piezoelectric resonators. An interposer element is used between a resonating plate and the resonator package to provide improved (i.e. reduced) acceleration sensitivity. The interposer element is preferably of similar thermal expansion characteristics to the resonating plate. Electrical connection to the resonating plate from the exterior of the package is preferably provided via the interposer element.

Abstract: A synthetic focus ultrasound system is described which is operated in a hybrid fashion. System operation alternates between synthetic focus acquisition and conventional focused beam acquisition. This makes possible, for example, the acquisition and display of harmonic images. Speckle artifacts in the synthetic focused ultrasound images may be reduced by combining signals from different sub-apertures which view the image field from different look directions. In a described embodiment, sets of motion maps are be produced for different sub-apertures of the array transducer, then compounded to reduce speckle. One or more identified regions of interest within a synthetic focused ultrasound image may be processed differently from other regions of the image to highlight or better define particular motional characteristics within the regions of interest, such as turbulent flow or different velocities of flow or motion.

Abstract: Each transducer element of a transducer array in an ultrasound imaging system has two substantially identical analog delay circuits, the first of which is supplied with the echo signal received by the transducer element, the second of which is supplied with an inverted version of the echo signal received by the transducer element. After both signals have traversed their respective analog delay paths, one of them is inverted and then both of them are combined in order to substantially suppress the effects of localized common mode signals. Preferably, the first and second analog delay circuits are constructed to be substantially identical.

Abstract: A likelihood game requires players to estimate the likelihood of other players, or non-present persons known to all of the players, of fitting a statement described on one of a number of cards included with the game. A game board, player position markers, paper and pen or the like, and a single die are provided, with players noting the name of a player or non-present person they feel most likely to fit the randomly selected likelihood statement. Advancement of the player position markers along the path of the board is determined by agreement or non-agreement between players as to the likelihood of persons fitting the likelihood statement on the card. The die provides for the selection of one of a plurality of likelihood actions on each card, as well as serving as a chance device for determining the quantity of the players' moves according to certain rules of the game.

Abstract: In an advanced intelligent network based information distribution system including a central office switching system connected to communication lines including at least one service switching point for selectively providing switched communications between the communication lines, a network controller arranged for selectively providing control data to effect land line communications, and arranged separately from the central office switching system, an incentive award computer system provides an award to users participating in an incentive award program. The incentive award computer system includes a request transaction processing computer system receiving an electronic transaction by a user, determining whether the electronic transaction is a reward eligible transaction, and generating a transaction request when the electronic transaction is determined to be the reward eligible transaction.