Abstract: A device, and corresponding method, for determining a material composition of the pipe includes a probe, a resonance frequency measurement circuit, and a material analyzer. The probe includes an oscillator circuit and can be inserted into an interior cavity of the type. The probe also can emit electromagnetic radiation into the interior cavity via the oscillator circuit. The frequency measurement circuit is in operative communication with the oscillator circuit and is configured to output resonant frequency measurement data indicative of a resonance frequency of the oscillator circuit when inserted into the interior cavity. The material analyzer can receive the resonance frequency measurement data, and an additional measurement, and can output an indication of material composition of the pipe based on the resonance frequency measurement data and the additional measurement.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or apparatuses described herein provide a roller truck comprising non-rotating dampening material that is configured to dampen vibrations and mitigate the transference of vibrations from a rotating gantry to a support frame and vice-versa during rotation of the rotating gantry relative to the support frame. It will be appreciated that two different types of roller trucks, base roller trucks and z-axis roller trucks, are described herein, and the non-rotating dampening material may be inserted into one or both types of roller trucks. While the instant disclosure finds particular application in the context of computed tomography apparatus, the instant disclosure is not intended to be limited to such applications.

Abstract: A system includes a hand-held ultrasound imaging apparatus and a portable charger. The apparatus includes imaging components, an internal power source that powers the imaging components, and at least one electrical contact in electrical communication with the internal power source. The charger includes at least one complementary electrical contact, a charge state monitor in electrical communication with the complementary at least one electrical contact, a charger circuit in electrical communication with the at least one complementary electrical contact and the charge state monitor, and an auxiliary power source in electrical communication with the charger circuit. The charge state monitor, in response to the at least one electrical contact and the at least one complementary electrical contact being in electrical communication, determines a charge state of the internal power source, and the charger circuit charges the internal power source based on the determined charge state and a charge algorithm.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus (102) includes a reference carrier region (106) that supports a reference carrier (108), which includes one or more reference substances that emit radiation with unique and known spectral characteristics in response to being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in a predetermined range of interest. The sample processing apparatus further includes a carrier receiving region (110) configured to alternatively receive a sample carrier (104) or the reference carrier for processing by the apparatus. The sample processing apparatus further includes an optical component (114, 116, 118) that emits radiation, having a wavelength in a predetermined range of interest, that irradiates the carrier in the carrier receiving region, and that detects the radiation emitted from the carrier. The apparatus moves the reference carrier from the reference carrier region to the carrier receiving region for processing by the apparatus.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or apparatuses described herein provide a roller truck comprising non-rotating dampening material that is configured to dampen vibrations and mitigate the transference of vibrations from a rotating gantry to a support frame and vice-versa during rotation of the rotating gantry relative to the support frame. It will be appreciated that two different types of roller trucks, base roller trucks and z-axis roller trucks, are described herein, and the non-rotating dampening material may be inserted into one or both types of roller trucks. While the instant disclosure finds particular application in the context of computed tomography apparatus, the instant disclosure is not intended to be limited to such applications.

Abstract: A sample processing apparatus (102) includes a reference carrier region (106) that supports a reference carrier (108), which includes one or more reference substances that emit radiation with unique and known spectral characteristics in response to being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in a predetermined range of interest. The sample processing apparatus further includes a carrier receiving region (110) configured to alternatively receive a sample carrier (104) or the reference carrier for processing by the apparatus. The sample processing apparatus further includes an optical component (114, 116, 118) that emits radiation, having a wavelength in a predetermined range of interest, that irradiates the carrier in the carrier receiving region, and that detects the radiation emitted from the carrier. The apparatus moves the reference carrier from the reference carrier region to the carrier receiving region for processing by the apparatus.

Abstract: A micro channel device includes at least one sample processing region (108) that supports a sample for processing by a sample processing apparatus, at least one chamber (120, 126) that stores a fluid, at least one channel (202, 204, 206, 302, 402), and an interface (116) configured to interface with the processing apparatus. Moisture removed from compressed air, which is employed to move the sample and/or a processing agent through the at least one channel, is received by the interface and routed via the at least one channel to the at least one chamber.

Abstract: A sample carrier for carrying one or more samples to be processed by a sample processing apparatus includes at least one sample processing channel, the channel including a first region configured to carry a first fluid and at least a second region, wherein the first fluid in the first region is moved to the second region via compression of the first region. A sample processing apparatus for processing samples carried by sample carriers including at least one raised vessel carrying at least one a sample or a processing material includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive one of the sample carriers and a displacer configured to apply physical pressure to the raised vessel which causes compression of the raised vessel, thereby moving a fluid in the raised vessel to another region of the sample carrier for at least one of mixing or processing by the at least one processing component.

Abstract: A subject support apparatus (100) includes a plurality of chambers (102) configured to hold a fluid under pressure and support a living being. At least one pressure transducer (108) determines a pressure of at least one of the chambers (108) and generates a signal indicative thereof. A controller (124) dynamically controls fluid entering and leaving the at least one chamber (102) based on the signal, thereby maintaining a pre-determined pressure range in the at least one chamber (102).

Abstract: A Potter-Bucky device for a radiation image recording apparatus in which an image recording medium is exposed to radiation which has passed through an object in order to record a radiation image of the object on the recording medium includes a grid which is movably supported between the object and the recording medium and is reciprocated parallel to the recording medium. A counter-weight is connected to the grid and is reciprocated in synchronization with the grid but in an opposite direction. Among other benefits and features, the disclosure reduces or eliminates vibrations produced by the reciprocating grid.

Abstract: A patient table including a generally C-shaped lower base having opposing laterally extending end portions connected by a longitudinally extending central portion, and wherein the longitudinally extending portion is offset laterally from a longitudinally extending center line of the table. The table also includes an upper base, front and rear lift arms extending upwardly from the lower base and holding the upper base vertically above the lower base, and an elongated patient support pallet secured on one longitudinally extending side to the upper base and having an opposite longitudinally extending side substantially overhanging the laterally extending end portions of the lower base, and wherein the pallet is made of radiolucent material.

Abstract: A patient table including a table assembly and a bucky presentation assembly including at least one rail secured to the assembly, a runner slidably received on the rail, a bucky, and a hinge pivotally connecting the bucky to the runner.

Abstract: A roller truck for supporting a rotating drum of a CT scanner, including a spring plate having opposing ends, top and bottom surfaces and unconstrained side edges. At least two axles are secured to the spring plate, and an attachment member is secured to the spring plate between the two axles. The attachment member is for securing the roller truck to one of a support frame of the CT scanner and the drum mounted for rotation on the frame. Rollers are rotatably mounted on each axle of the truck for supporting and allowing the instrument drum to rotate. The spring plate is free to resiliently bend about the attachment member and is adapted such that, when the instrument drum is rotated, resulting vibration frequencies are shifted by the roller truck to minimize distortions in images produced by the CT scanner.

Abstract: A patient table including a generally C-shaped lower base having opposing laterally extending end portions connected by a longitudinally extending central portion, and wherein the longitudinally extending portion is offset laterally from a longitudinally extending center line of the table. The table also includes an upper base, front and rear lift arms extending upwardly from the lower base and holding the upper base vertically above the lower base, and an elongated patient support pallet secured on one longitudinally extending side to the upper base and having an opposite longitudinally extending side substantially overhanging the laterally extending end portions of the lower base, and wherein the pallet is made of radiolucent material.

Abstract: A Potter-Bucky device for a radiation image recording apparatus in which an image recording medium is exposed to radiation which has passed through an object in order to record a radiation image of the object on the recording medium includes a grid which is movably supported between the object and the recording medium and is reciprocated parallel to the recording medium. A counter-weight is connected to the grid and is reciprocated in synchronization with the grid but in an opposite direction. Among other benefits and features, the disclosure reduces or eliminates vibrations produced by the reciprocating grid.

Abstract: A roller truck for supporting a rotating drum of a CT scanner, including a spring plate having opposing ends, top and bottom surfaces and unconstrained side edges. At least two axles are secured to the spring plate, and an attachment member is secured to the spring plate between the two axles. The attachment member is for securing the roller truck to one of a support frame of the CT scanner and the drum mounted for rotation on the frame. Rollers are rotatably mounted on each axle of the truck for supporting and allowing the instrument drum to rotate. The spring plate is free to resiliently bend about the attachment member and is adapted such that, when the instrument drum is rotated, resulting vibration frequencies are shifted by the roller truck to minimize distortions in images produced by the CT scanner.

Abstract: In an improved computed tomography scanner drive system and bearing configuration, a gantry disk is sheaved about its perimeter such that the gantry is operable as a driven pulley rotatable about an object to be scanned. A motor assembly mounted to a stationary frame includes a similar sheaved drive pulley. A belt tensioned between the drive pulley of the motor assembly and the driven pulley of the gantry disk transfers rotational motion of the motor to drive the gantry rotationally about the object. In a preferred embodiment, the belt comprises a V-belt or poly-V-belt, and the bearing comprises a wire bearing located proximal to the gantry center of mass. In this manner, the present invention provides a simple and effective technique for driving the gantry about the object, providing sufficiently accurate angular positioning in a reliable and cost effective drive system.

Abstract: In a computed tomography (CT) scanner, an X-ray shield is mountable to a gantry for absorbing randomly scattered X-ray radiation. The shield is rotatable with the gantry disk for regulating the emission of X-ray radiation near its source. The shield is preferably lined with an energy-absorbent material to provide safe energy levels in the environment external to the system. By minimizing the surface area of the shield, the present system results in significant weight reduction and ease of installation over prior shielding systems.

Abstract: A patient trauma table is described which is adapted for use with medical imaging systems so that the patient can be easily positioned in the imaging system without the necessity of transferring the patient to a special table, making the table extremely useful for supporting a patient during emergency or surgical intervention. The patient trauma table has an elongated top patient-supporting panel capable of being moved into a cantilevered relation to the table base so that a portion of the panel is disposed in an imaging position with respect to the medical imaging equipment. A system for stabilizing the patient supporting panel preferably includes means for releasably locking the table to the imaging equipment to fix the imaging position; and stabilizing support assembly including a support arm having a roller at one end and mounted on the medical imaging equipment so that the roller can be incrementally, vertically moved into and out of contact with the underside of the cantilevered end of the table panel.

Abstract: An improved, portable X-ray tomography system is disclosed wherein lateral movement of the various tomography components relative to a stationary patient during a scanning procedure is precisely controlled by mechanical displacement means which, in tarn, is coupled to electro-mechanical means for simultaneously measuring and monitoring the amount of the displacement.