Abstract: A segmentation method comprises clustering spatial, intensity and volumetric shape index to automatically segment a medical lesion. The algorithm has the following steps: (1) calculating volumetric shape index (SI) for each voxel in the image; (2) combining the SI features with the intensity range and the spatial position (x, y, z) to form a 5-dimensional feature vector set; (3) grouping the 5-dimensional feature vector set into clusters; (4) employing a modified expectation-maximization algorithm (EM) considering not only spatial but also shape features on an intensity mode map from the clustering algorithm to merge the neighbouring regions or modes. The joint spatial-intensity-shape feature provides rich information for the segmentation of the anatomic structures of interest, such as lesions or tumours.

Abstract: An authorization device is configured to authorize access to a resource. The authorization device receives an authorization request to authorize a client device to perform an operation on the resource associated with a data system and compare an access characteristic associated with the resource with a policy associated with the resource. The authorization device generates a first message when a result of the comparison indicates that the client device is authorized to perform the operation on the resource and generates a second message when a result of the comparison indicates that the client device is unauthorized to perform the operation on the resource.

Abstract: A segmentation method comprises clustering spatial, intensity and volumetric shape index to automatically segment a medical lesion. The algorithm has the following steps: (1) calculating volumetric shape index (SI) for each voxel in the image; (2) combining the SI features with the intensity range and the spatial position (x, y, z) to form a 5-dimensional feature vector set; (3) grouping the 5-dimensional feature vector set into clusters; (4) employing a modified expectation-maximization algorithm (EM) considering not only spatial but also shape features on an intensity mode map from the clustering algorithm to merge the neighbouring regions or modes. The joint spatial-intensity-shape feature provides rich information for the segmentation of the anatomic structures of interest, such as lesions or tumours.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vegetation trimmer comprising a cutting head (20) located at one end thereof, a rear handle (60) located at the other end thereof, a motor (10), and a flexible drive shaft (30) for transferring the output of the motor to the cutting head, wherein the motor is located in a substantially central position on the vegetation trimmer. Preferably, the motor is located beneath the flexible drive shaft when the vegetation trimmer is oriented with the rear handle thereof uppermost. The vegetation trimmer of the invention has improved balance and inertia, making it easier for a user to operate, and in certain embodiments thereof can be made more compact than a conventional vegetation trimmer having a flexible drive shaft for greater ease of shipping and storage.

Abstract: In a method of performing CAD analysis of a medical image, the medical image volume is processed in a pre-processing module to generate intermediate data, and the intermediate data is processed by a filtering module to generate CAD result data. The different modules may be executed by different processing nodes or devices, enabling a variety of different system architectures. The intermediate data may be stored in accordance with a standard, such as the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. For instance, the intermediate data may be stored in accordance with the DICOM secondary capture image information object definition (SCI IOD) format. The CAD result data may be displayed on a viewer workstation, for example.

Abstract: A power tool (10) comprises a main body (12) having a motor driven tool (24) extending from a first front end of the main body, and has a first handle (18) integrally formed on the main body to be remote from this front end. A second support handle (20) is pivotally mounted on the tool body (12) to be pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis (34) so as to be displaceable from a first position in which a grip (22) of the support handle is disposed forwards of the first handle (18), to a second position wherein the grip member (22) is disposed rearwardly of the first handle (18). Also disclosed is the use of restraining means engageable between the support handle (20) and the main body (12) for releasably restraining the handle in either of the first or second positions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vegetation trimmer comprising a cutting head (20) located at one end thereof, a rear handle (60) located at the other end thereof, a motor (10), and a flexible drive shaft (30) for transferring the output of the motor to the cutting head, wherein the motor is located in a substantially central position on the vegetation trimmer. Preferably, the motor is located beneath the flexible drive shaft when the vegetation trimmer is oriented with the rear handle thereof uppermost. The vegetation trimmer of the invention has improved balance and inertia, making it easier for a user to operate, and in certain embodiments thereof can be made more compact than a conventional vegetation trimmer having a flexible drive shaft for greater ease of shipping and storage.

Abstract: A power tool (10) comprises a main body (12) having a motor driven tool (24) extending from a first front end of the main body, and has a first handle (18) integrally formed on the main body to be remote from this front end. A second support handle (20) is pivotally mounted on the tool body (12) to be pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis (34) so as to be displaceable from a first position in which a grip (22) of the support handle is disposed forwards of the first handle (18), to a second position wherein the grip member (22) is disposed rearwardly of the first handle (18). Also disclosed is the use of restraining means engageable between the support handle (20) and the main body (12) for releasably restraining the handle in either of the first or second positions.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of fabricating an electroexplosive device which utilizes a semiconductor bridge as an ignition element. The semiconductor bridge is electrically connected to a metal header by a small, low resistance contact to the extension of bridge material and through an insulating silicon substrate to an eutectic bond created by gold plating on the metal header and the silicon. The second electrode of the bridge circuit is connected via wire bonds to one or two conducting pins which penetrate the metal header and are insulated by surrounding glass. A redundant connection via two conducting pins insulated from the header to one electrode of the semiconductor bridge allows a post assembly test of the integrity of the wire bonds, thereby increasing reliability of the device.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus having a first substrate, a first metallic layer, a semiconductor device, a second metallic layer, and a metallic interconnecting structure is described. The first substrate is of a semiconductor material and has an upper region and a lower region. The substrate provides an electrical path between the upper region and the lower region. The first metallic layer is coupled to the lower region of the substrate. The first metallic layer provides a first external electrical connection. The semiconductor device has an upper region and a lower region. The second metallic layer is coupled to the lower region of the semiconductor device. The second metallic layer provides a second external electrical connection. The metallic interconnecting structure electrically couples the upper region of the first substrate to the upper region of the semiconductor device. A bridge apparatus is also described. In addition, a method of fabricating an electrical apparatus is described.