Abstract: The system and method of the invention pertains to an MR-guided breast biopsy procedure, specifically as to quality control and assurance following a breast biopsy procedure. Following automated lesion segmentation in a first post-contrast biopsy image, with the biopsy location segmented out of last biopsy series, a quantitative assessment is performed at the end of the procedure to highlight the volume of tissue taken out and the percentage (%) lesion fraction in the extracted tissue. This provides confirmation to the clinician that the appropriate target tissue was identified and sampled during the procedure.

Abstract: A rotor blade configured to fold about a blade fold axis includes a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to mount to a rotor hub and includes a first connector having at least one first opening. The second section includes a second connector having at least one second opening. The second section is rotatably coupled to the first section and is configured to rotate about the blade fold axis between an aligned position and a rotated position. A linkage is operably coupled to the first section and the second section. The linkage includes a plurality of links loosely connected such that the linkage is configured to support the second section of the rotor blade only when the second section is in the rotated position.

Abstract: A propeller system includes a propeller located at a tail section and a drive shaft operably connected to the propeller to drive the propeller about a propeller axis. A propeller gearbox connects the propeller to the drive shaft and a propeller gearbox lubricant cooler is operably connected to the propeller gearbox and disposed circumferentially about the drive shaft. The propeller gearbox lubricant cooler transfers thermal energy from a flow of lubricant flowing therethrough to a flow of air flowing through the tail section across the propeller gearbox lubricant cooler. A method of cooling a gearbox for a propeller includes circulating a volume of lubricant through a propeller gearbox and flowing the lubricant into a propeller gearbox cooler. Thermal energy is transferred from the lubricant to a flow of air flowing across the propeller gearbox cooler and the flow of air is vented from the tail section of the rotorcraft.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided and includes an airframe, a blade disk, which is rotatable relative to the airframe, including a plurality of rotor blades, a rotor shaft disposed to drive rotation of the blade disk relative to the airframe and a pitching of each of the rotor blades about corresponding pitch axes and a rotor assembly configured to form couplings by which each of the rotor blades is coupled to the rotor shaft. The rotor assembly includes a composite laminate arranged to resolve loading associated with the couplings in-plane of the composite laminate.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided and includes a gearbox housing through which a drive shaft configured to drive propeller rotation extends and a pitch control apparatus. The pitch control apparatus includes a drive element coupled to an exterior of the gearbox housing and an annular electro-mechanical actuator (EMA) configured to convert rotational energy generated by the drive element to thereby control a pitching of propeller blades about corresponding pitch axes.

Abstract: A multi-plate clutch apparatus is provided and includes a multi-plate clutch disposed to occupy clutch and non-clutch positions at which rotation of an input shaft is and is not transmitted to an output shaft, respectively, a drive element disposed about the multi-plate clutch and configured to generate rotational energy and a linear actuator disposed to convert the rotational energy of the drive element to linear movement by which the multi-plate clutch is controllable to occupy one of the clutch and non-clutch positions.

Abstract: A composite spar having an upper and edge regions is provided including a plurality of first laminates and a plurality of second laminates. The plurality of first laminates includes one or more intermediate modulus graphite plies having an intermediate modulus. The plurality of first laminates is arranged in one or more intermediate modulus layers to form at least a portion of the upper wall region, lower wall region, leading edge region and trailing edge region. The plurality of second laminates includes one or more high modulus graphite plies having a high modulus. The plurality of second laminates is arranged in one or more high modulus layers. The high modulus layers are generally interposed between intermediate modulus layers.

Abstract: A propulsor gearbox assembly for a translational thrust propeller includes a housing defining an interior cavity, a planetary gear assembly contained within the interior cavity, an input shaft aligned on a first axis or rotation, and an output shaft aligned along a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation is coaxial with the second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A pin configured for use in a rotor blade movable between an aligned position and a folded position and having a rotor blade airfoil contour is provided including a cylindrical body configured to couple a first section and a second section of the rotor blade when the rotor blade is in the aligned position. A handle is mounted to an end of the cylindrical body and has an airfoil contour complementary to the rotor blade airfoil contour. The handle is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the handle is in the closed position, the handle is flush with an adjacent portion of the rotor blade. When the handle is in the open position, the handle is accessible to pull the cylindrical body from the first and second section s of the rotor blade.

Abstract: A rotor hub assembly for a rotary-winged aircraft includes a spool portion and a plurality of hub arms extending radially outwardly from the spool portion. A rotor blade is connectable to each hub arm. Each hub arm includes a spine portion and at least two leg portions extending from the spine portion. The spine portion and the at least two leg portions defining an I-shaped cross-section of each hub arm. A rotor assembly includes a rotor hub assembly including a spool portion and a plurality of hub arms extending radially outwardly from the spool portion. Each hub arm includes a spine portion and at least two leg portions extending from the spine portion. The spine portion and the at least two leg portions define an I-shaped cross-section of each hub arm. A rotor blade is secured to each hub arm.

Abstract: A rotor includes a blade retention cuff configured to receive a rotor blade; a yoke coupled to the blade retention cuff; and a rigid propeller shaped hub configured to enclose at least a portion of the blade retention cuff and at least a portion of the yoke.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for connecting a first surface to a second surface and for holding a first servo which moves an adjacent first component is provided including a leg. A first end of the leg is attachable to the first surface and a second end of the leg is attachable to the second surface. The leg is generally bent such that the first end of each leg is arranged at an angle to the second end of each leg so as to transmit forces between the first and second surface. A bracket connected to the leg includes a notch configured to receive the first servo. When the first servo is positioned within the first notch, a free end of the first servo is operably coupled to the adjacent first component and the leg reacts forces generated by the first servo into the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A swashplate apparatus is provided and includes a first swashplate including outer and inner bodies and an intermediate portion defining a major groove between the outer and inner bodies, a second swashplate disposable in the major groove to be rotatable relative to the first swashplate, the second swashplate including an interior facing surface radially separated from the inner body to define a minor groove and defining a recess in which the rod end is disposable, a connector disposable in the recess to pivotably couple the rod end to the second swashplate and a plate element disposable in the minor groove and affixable to the interior facing surface of the second swashplate and the connector.

Abstract: A control link disposed to transfer rotor shaft rotation from an elongate element rotatable with a shaft to a rotatable element is provided and includes a structure terminating at a first end thereof as a mating element, which is securable to the elongate element such that the elongate element is rotatable about an axis defined through the mating element and such that a moment reaction in opposition to structure rotation about the elongate element is generated and a rod coupled to the rotatable element being and configured to be coupled to a second end of the structure at variable distances relative to the rotatable element.

Abstract: A system for optimized image acquisition includes an user interface for receiving a first input indicating a selection of an anatomical region of a subject and receiving a second input indicating a selection of at least one feature of interest and at least one appropriate property of the at least one feature of interest. Further, the system includes a scanning unit for moving the subject to isocenter of a magnet and acquiring at least one image of the anatomical region of the subject. Also, the system includes a processor for processing the at least one image for identifying the at least one feature of interest in the at least one image, wherein the scanning unit is configured to re-scan the at least one feature of interest using the at least one selected appropriate property for acquiring an optimized image of the at least one feature of interest.

Abstract: A breast biopsy system utilizing a needle biopsy device configured for guidance by a robotic guidance device into a treatment position wherein the needle tip is positioned adjacent target tissue in patient. The system including an MRI compatible device localization system adapted to track one or more points on the needle biopsy device and generate real-time device localization data. A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system provides a multi-planar reference image data from the patient being treated. The MRI system is connected to the MRI compatible device localization system and operable to display an overlay image, reconstructed from the real-time device localization data, on the multi-planar reference image data which depicts the location of the needle biopsy device relative to the target tissue in the patient.

Abstract: A control link disposed to transfer rotor shaft rotation from an elongate element rotatable with a shaft to a rotatable element is provided and includes a structure terminating at a first end thereof as a mating element, which is securable to the elongate element such that the elongate element is rotatable about an axis defined through the mating element and such that a moment reaction in opposition to structure rotation about the elongate element is generated and a rod coupled to the rotatable element being and configured to be coupled to a second end of the structure at variable distances relative to the rotatable element.

Abstract: A constant velocity drive includes a drive ring and a driven ring positioned around the drive ring. Drive links extend from the drive ring to the driven ring to transfer torque applied at the drive ring to the driven ring. Elastomeric bearings are positioned at the driven ring to transfer torque from a drive link of the plurality of drive links to the driven ring. Each elastomeric bearing includes both spherical bearing elements and planar bearing elements to allow for tilt of an axis of rotation of the driven ring with respect to an axis of rotation of the drive ring while ensuring a constant rotational velocity of the driven ring with respect to the rotational velocity of the drive ring.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for use in interactive magnetic resonance imaging are presented. An initial region of interest of a subject is scanned to acquire imaging data using an initial imaging protocol. Anatomical labeling information corresponding to a plurality of regions corresponding to the subject may be determined based on the acquired data and/or previously available information. Particularly, determining the anatomical labeling information may include identifying one or more features of interest corresponding to the initial region of interest. Further, input from an operator corresponding to a desired imaging task may be received interactively. The imaging protocol may be updated in real-time by selectively configuring one or more imaging parameters that optimize implementation of the desired imaging task based on the determined anatomical labeling information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for landmark correction in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes acquiring at least one calibration image or at least one localizer image of an object, identifying in the calibration or localizer images a region of the object as a reference point, wherein the reference point defines a landmark position. The method further includes determining an offset between an initial landmark position and the identified landmark position. The method also includes using the determined offset for MRI.