Abstract: A plug for sealing an interior of a tube and including a cylindrical body having a first end that is open and includes an annular surface, and a second end that is closed by a conical end wall. The cylindrical body having a plurality of ribs that are configured to engage the interior of the tube and provide a seal between the plug and the interior of the tube. The plug also includes a handle unitary with the cylindrical body that extends from the annular surface. The handle has a cylindrical inner surface that is coextensive with an interior surface of the cylindrical body and an outer surface that is coextensive with an exterior surface of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A system for controlling a wireless-type radio frequency (RF) coil apparatus (102, 202, 302, 500) for a magnetic resonance (MR) system including a processor for acquiring emitted radio frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of coils of an RF transducer array including an indication of a local clock signal indicating a time of (RF) signal acquisition; acquiring magnetic field strength information from a plurality of field probes of a magnetic field probe array including an indication of the local clock signal indicating a time of magnetic field strength information acquisition, and forming k-space information based upon the acquired emitted RF signals from the plurality of coils of the RF transducer array and the acquired magnetic field strength information including the indications of the local clock signal.

Abstract: A plug for sealing an interior of a tube and including a cylindrical body having a first end that is open and includes an annular surface, and a second end that is closed by a conical end wall. The cylindrical body having a plurality of ribs that are configured to engage the interior of the tube and provide a seal between the plug and the interior of the tube. The plug also includes a handle unitary with the cylindrical body that extends from the annular surface. The handle has a cylindrical inner surface that is coextensive with an interior surface of the cylindrical body and an outer surface that is coextensive with an exterior surface of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A system for controlling a wireless-type radio frequency (RF) coil apparatus (102, 202, 302, 500) for a magnetic resonance (MR) system including a processor for acquiring emitted radio frequency (RF) signals from a plurality of coils of an RF transducer array including an indication of a local clock signal indicating a time of (RF) signal acquisition; acquiring magnetic field strength information from a plurality of field probes of a magnetic field probe array including an indication of the local clock signal indicating a time of magnetic field strength information acquisition, and forming k-space information based upon the acquired emitted RF signals from the plurality of coils of the RF transducer array and the acquired magnetic field strength information including the indications of the local clock signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an attachment apparatus for drilling that may be coupled to an excavator. The attachment apparatus generally has a base, a motor and one or more brackets, with the motor positioned in front of the base and the one or more brackets positioned behind the base. A plurality of holes in the one or more brackets having parallel center axes in an attachment plane may be used in coupling the attachment to the excavator. The base of the attachment may have a major plane that is approximately parallel to the attachment plane, and the axis of rotation of the motor may be approximately perpendicular to the major plane of the base. A push plate apparatus is provided for possible use with the main attachment for pushing pipes, etc., into a hole. Furthermore, methods of making and using the present attachment and/or push plate are further provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Embodiments can separate a true ECG signal from one or more signals due to electric fields caused by moving electrical charges. In a specific embodiment, an ECG signal can be separated from one or more electric fields caused by blood flow. An embodiment pertains to a joint MRI and diagnostic ECG system. In an embodiment, the joint diagnostic quality ECG can add information to a MRI cardiac study. This additional information can be useful for MR guided intervention treatments, such as locating tissue that created bad electrical arrhythmia. In an embodiment, the subject method and apparatus can be utilized to obtain an ECG for patient located in a magnetic field of 1.5 T or higher, such as in MRI systems with 1.5 T or higher magnetic fields.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to a resonator for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a high-field mode-stable resonator for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Embodiments also pertain to a method of generating and/or receiving rf magnetic fields in a field of view (FOV) for magnetic resonance imaging. An embodiment can incorporate a shielded cylindrical resonator having 16 elements that are coupled to one another by a transmission line resonator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention can utilize a single coil structure for dual-mode operation. In a specific embodiment, a single coil structure can be used as a volume coil in the transmitting phase and as a phase array in the receiving phase. In an embodiment, a transmit coil array in accordance with the subject invention can be utilized for one or more of the following: 1) parallel RF excitation on an MRI scanner equipped with a multiple-channel transmitter; 2) serial RF excitation with the use of a switch system with a single channel transmitter; and 3) generation of a homogeneous B1 field for regular MRI with the use of a power splitter on a standard scanner. In a specific embodiment, the use of a concentric double loop coil with different tunings of inner and outer loops can be implemented. In an embodiment, the coil elements can be decoupled using the CRC mode of a concentric double loop coil. In an embodiment, a surface coil transmit array can provide better compatibility with a receive array.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a technique and device that can isolate and separate resultant electromagnetic fields of volume coils at high frequency. In an embodiment, an RF shield can be used to isolate and separate resultant electromagnetic fields. In an embodiment, the shield can have a cylindrical shape that can form a partially closed volume in which an object to be imaged, or sample, can be inserted. In an embodiment, the RF shield can be part of a RF coil. In a specific embodiment, some parts of a volume coil can be inside a shield, and the other parts of a volume coil can be outside the shield. The shielding of some of the parts of a volume coil can create conductor patterns corresponding to the specific parts inside the shield and the specific parts outside the shield. In an embodiment, two or more conductor patterns can be placed in proximity to the same shield and either be driven independently, driven together, or act as receiving elements, combined or uncombined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to a resonator for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a high-field mode-stable resonator for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Embodiments also pertain to a method of generating and/or receiving rf magnetic fields in a field of view (FOV) for magnetic resonance imaging. An embodiment can incorporate a shielded cylindrical resonator having 16 elements that are coupled to one another by a transmission line resonator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention can utilize a single coil structure for dual-mode operation. In a specific embodiment, a single coil structure can be used as a volume coil in the transmitting phase and as a phase array in the receiving phase. In an embodiment, a transmit coil array in accordance with the subject invention can be utilized for one or more of the following: 1) parallel RF excitation on an MRI scanner equipped with a multiple-channel transmitter; 2) serial RF excitation with the use of a switch system with a single channel transmitter; and 3) generation of a homogeneous B1 field for regular MRI with the use of a power splitter on a standard scanner. In a specific embodiment, the use of a concentric double loop coil with different tunings of inner and outer loops can be implemented. In an embodiment, the coil elements can be decoupled using the CRC mode of a concentric double loop coil. In an embodiment, a surface coil transmit array can provide better compatibility with a receive array.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a technique and device that can isolate and separate resultant electromagnetic fields of volume coils at high frequency. In an embodiment, an RF shield can be used to isolate and separate resultant electromagnetic fields. In an embodiment, the shield can have a cylindrical shape that can form a partially closed volume in which an object to be imaged, or sample, can be inserted. In an embodiment, the RF shield can be part of a RF coil. In a specific embodiment, some parts of a volume coil can be inside a shield, and the other parts of a volume coil can be outside the shield. The shielding of some of the parts of a volume coil can create conductor patterns corresponding to the specific parts inside the shield and the specific parts outside the shield. In an embodiment, two or more conductor patterns can be placed in proximity to the same shield and either be driven independently, driven together, or act as receiving elements, combined or uncombined.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an imaging technique and apparatus which can utilize an array of RF probes to measure the non-resonant thermal noise which is produced within a sample, such as a body, and produce a non-resonant thermal noise correlation. The detected noise correlation is a function of the spatial overlap of the electromagnetic fields of the probes and the spatial distribution of the conductivity of the sample. The subject technique, which can be referred to as Noise Tomography (NT), can generate a three-dimensional map of the conductivity of the sample. Since the subject invention utilizes detection of the thermal noise generated within the body, the subject method can be non-invasive and can be implemented without requiring external power, chemicals, or radionuclides to be introduced into the body. The subject imaging method can be used as a stand along technique or can be used in conjunction with other imaging techniques.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to an imaging technique and apparatus which can utilize an array of RF probes to measure the non-resonant thermal noise which is produced within a sample, such as a body, and produce a non-resonant thermal noise correlation. The detected noise correlation is a function of the spatial overlap of the electromagnetic fields of the probes and the spatial distribution of the conductivity of the sample. The subject technique, which can be referred to as Noise Tomography (NT), can generate a three-dimensional map of the conductivity of the sample. Since the subject invention utilizes detection of the thermal noise generated within the body, the subject method can be non-invasive and can be implemented without requiring external power, chemicals, or radionuclides to be introduced into the body. The subject imaging method can be used as a stand along technique or can be used in conjunction with other imaging techniques.

Abstract: A support rail assembly for positioning work-related accessories adjacent a worksurface such as a table. The rail assembly includes a horizontally elongated rail supported in upwardly spaced relationship from the worksurface by a support arm or stanchion. The rail defines therein an elongate slot which permits the mounting of accessories in various positions on the rail which are convenient to the user. The rail is supportable from either the rear edge of a worksurface or may be cantilevered forwardly from a wall adjacent the worksurface or from a wall panel to which the worksurface is attached.

Abstract: A system of directional lights for use in office spaces, wherein each of individual directional lights is adapted to be plugged into electrical outlets and has a selectable directional indicator. The directional light has light transmitting windows in its front face which selectively transmit light to indicate a select direction. The directional lights thereby are portable and reconfigurable, and are mounted throughout an office area to direct occupants to a destination such as an exit or conference room.

Abstract: An office accessory arrangement including a stationary support rail and a grip clip removably supported thereon. The grip clip includes a pair of opposed grip members joined to one another by a hinge arrangement for enabling relative pivoting of the grip members about a hinge axis. The grip clip has a biasing structure which relatively pivotably biases the grip members in opposite directions towards a closed position in which opposed inner gripping services of the respective grip members engage one another or engage a document therebetween. The support rail has a channel-like part which defines an outwardly opening narrow slot, with one side of the slot being defined by a cantilevered wall of the channel-like part. The grip clip, when engaged with the support rail, is disposed so that the cantilevered wall of the channel-like part projects into a slot defined within the support rail to securely position the grip clip thereon.

Abstract: A support rail assembly for positioning work-related accessories adjacent a worksurface such as a table. The rail assembly includes a horizontally elongated rail supported in upwardly spaced relationship from the worksurface by a support arm or stanchion. The rail defines therein an elongate slot which permits the mounting of accessories in various positions on the rail which are convenient to the user. The rail is supportable from either the rear edge of a worksurface or may be cantilevered forwardly from a wall adjacent the worksurface or from a wall panel to which the worksurface is attached.