Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices related to a radial mounting interface holding a compact monolithic telescope, or generally an optical component, with robust optical alignment. An example optical mounting apparatus includes a mounting structure including a plurality of segments that are configured to surround a circumferential area of a monolithic optical device and to hold the monolithic optical device in place, wherein each of the plurality of segments includes a ridged or a grooved interface surface to couple the mounting structure to corresponding grooves or ridges in a surface of the monolithic optical device. The apparatus further includes an elastomeric material confined between the ridged or grooved interface surface of the mounting structure and the one or more corresponding grooves or ridges in the surface of the monolithic optical device. Also disclosed are thermal management features that passively enable diffraction-limited performance of large aperture monolithic optics.

Abstract: A system for automatically actuating a hydraulic accumulator—useful for oil collection systems—capable of operation while maintaining a zero or near zero draw of electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting a difference in contrast agent density in a sequence of contrast-enhanced image frames. A reference image frame is defined in the sequence of contrast-enhanced image frames, and segmentation is performed on the reference image frame to determine a location of a region of interest within the reference image frame. The region of interest is a region of the reference image frame that contains contrast agent. Other image frames in the sequence of contrast-enhanced images are corrected based on a difference in contrast agent density/image intensity in the region of interest relative to the region of interest in the reference image frame.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving more accurate results when applying an image processing task to a series of medical images of a patient, without significantly increasing processing resource. The proposed system and method is based on receiving a plurality of image sequences of a particular anatomical region, each capturing cyclical movement of an anatomical object. Each image sequence is supplied to a classifier module which employs use of one or more machine learning algorithms to derive at least one score for each image sequence indicative of predicted success or quality of a result of the image processing task if applied to the given image series. This permits an assessment to be made in advance of which of the plurality of image series is most likely to result in the best (e.g. highest quality, or greatest amount of information) results from the image processing task.

Abstract: The present invention is related to agents capable of binding to and inhibiting or antagonizing the action of IL-11 and/or or IL-11RA for the treatment and/or prevention of abnormal uterine bleeding, which comprises heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged bleeding, altered bleeding pattern, dysmenorrhea, as well as of the underlying diseases leiomyoma and endometriosis and the use of the agent to inhibit menstruation. Furthermore, the invention provides novel IL-11 antibodies.

Abstract: A method executed by a computing device includes determining a set of identigens for each query word of a query to produce sets of identigens, where a set of identigens represents different meanings of a word of the query. The method further includes obtaining a first identigen selection for a first query word from the first set of identigens. The method further includes interpreting, using identigen pairing rules and based on the first identigen selection, the sets of identigens to produce a query entigen group. The method further includes accessing a knowledge database utilizing the query entigen group to produce a response entigen group. The method further includes generating a response to the query using the response entigen group, where the response includes at least one response word.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing device includes generating a comparative query entigen group set based on a comparative query in accordance with identigen rules, where the comparative query entigen group set represents a most likely interpretation of the comparative query. The method further includes obtaining a first response entigen group from a knowledge database based on a first comparative query entigen group of the comparative query entigen group set, where the first response entigen group substantially includes the first comparative query entigen group. The method further includes obtaining a second response entigen group from the knowledge database based on a second comparative query entigen group of the comparative query entigen group set, where the second response entigen group substantially includes the second comparative query entigen group. The method further includes generating a comparative response based on the first response entigen group and the second response entigen group.

Abstract: Described is a hookah device. The hookah device includes a unique hookah head and consumable pod. The hookah head includes a bowl portion with a pod recess formed therein to receive a consumable pod. An electronic heating mechanism is positioned within the hookah head for heating the consumable pod. An air pathway is formed through the hookah head to introduce air into the consumable pod and direct smoke from the consumable pod into a hookah body. The consumable pod is similarly formed to fit within the hookah head. Further, the consumable pod includes a pod inlet and pod outlet for directing air through the pod and through the hookah device for inhalation.

Abstract: A method executed by a computing device includes determining a set of identigens for each phrase word of a phrase to produce sets of identigens. A set of identigens of the sets of identigens represents one or more different meanings of a phrase word of the phrase. The method further includes obtaining sensor information for one or more phrase words of the phrase. The method further includes selecting an identigen of a first set of identigens based on the sensor information to produce a first identigen selection for the first set of identigens having a selected meaning of one or more different meanings of the first phrase word. The method further includes interpreting remaining sets of identigens of the sets of identigens to produce an entigen group so that the entigen group represents a most likely meaning interpretation of the phrase.

Abstract: A system for automatically actuating a hydraulic accumulator—useful for oil collection systems—capable of operation while maintaining a zero or near zero draw of electrical energy.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating an ultrasound image of an anatomical region having a volume. First image low resolution image data is enhanced by adapting a 3D anatomical model to the image data to generate a second, greater, quantity of ultrasound image data in respect of the anatomical region. The enhanced volumetric information is then displayed. An anatomical model is thus used to complete partial image data thereby increasing the image resolution, so that a high resolution volumetric image can be displayed with a reduced image capture time.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining one or more tissue boundaries within ultrasound image data of anatomical region. The method is based on generating two separate images from the same input ultrasound data, acquired in a single acquisition event. One image is generated with contrast enhancement, so that boundaries surrounding a fluid-containing region are especially well visible and, the second image is generated without this enhancement, or with a different enhancement so that boundaries surrounding tissue regions are especially well visible. An image segmentation procedure is then applied which uses a combination of both images as input and uses both to determine the boundaries within the imaged regions.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating an ultrasound image of an anatomical region having a volume. First image low resolution image data is enhanced by adapting a 3D anatomical model to the image data to generate a second, greater, quantity of ultrasound image data in respect of the anatomical region. The enhanced volumetric information is then displayed. An anatomical model is thus used to complete partial image data thereby increasing the image resolution, so that a high resolution volumetric image can be displayed with a reduced image capture time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining a confidence value for an image segmentation. The method includes obtaining an image, wherein the image comprises a view of an anatomical structure and a model of the anatomical structure is obtained, wherein the model comprises a plurality of nodes. The image is processed to generate a plurality of image segmentation outputs, wherein each image segmentation output comprises a set of values for the view, wherein each value of the set of values is associated with a node of the plurality of nodes of the model. For each node of the model, a confidence value is determined based on the plurality of values corresponding to the node. A confidence map of the anatomical structure is generated based on the confidence value of each node.

Abstract: A system for automatically actuating a hydraulic accumulator—useful for oil collection systems—capable of operation while maintaining a zero or near zero draw of electrical energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support substructure for fastening a display tile to a support structure of a tiled display, the support substructure being characterized in that it is linked to the support structure by means of a first mechanism allowing movements of the display tile in a plane parallel to the nominal plane (XY) of the tiled display independently of the presence or absence of adjacent display tiles.

Abstract: An ultrasound system is disclosed comprising an ultrasound transducer array (100) comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer cells (130), each of said cell having an independently adjustable position and/or orientation such as to conform an ultrasound transmitting surface of the cell to a region of a body and a controller (140). The controller is configured to register the respective ultrasound transducer cells by simultaneously operating at least two ultrasound transducer cells in a transmit mode in which the cells transmit distinguishable ultrasound signals and operating the remaining ultrasound transducer cells in a receive mode.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a rendering of a left atrial appendage of a patient. The potential position of one or more interventional devices within the left atrial appendage is determined from model data that contains an anatomical model of the left atrial appendage. A rendering of the left atrial appendage is generated, from image data, and subsequently displayed. Visual parameters of the displayed rendering of the left atrial appendage are responsive to the determined potential position(s) for the one or more interventional devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for deriving multi-dimensional images of an object and an according system and method. The image processing apparatus comprises an interface configured to provide 3D image data of an object and to provide a sequence of images of the object. The image processing apparatus further comprises a processing unit configured to obtain a personalized 3D model of the object by applying a model-based segmentation to the 3D image data of the object and to adapt the personalized 3D model based on at least a part of the images of the sequence of images of the object.