Abstract: A video-based human verification system and method may include a video sensor adapted to obtain video and produce video output. The video sensor may include a video camera. The video-based human verification system may further include a processor adapted to process video to verify a human presence. An alarm panel may be coupled to the video sensor, the alarm panel being adapted to receive video output or alert information from the video sensor.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium contains software that, when read by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for wide-area site-based surveillance.

Abstract: A catheter is used for medical treatments within an organism. The catheter comprises at least one lumen. Within the at least one lumen are at least two microcatheters, with at least one of the at least two microcatheters being connected to a source of liquid material to be delivered to the organism and another of the at least two microcatheters being connected to a system capable of effecting a medical treatment other than delivery of the liquid.

Abstract: An input video sequence may be processed by processing the input video sequence to obtain target information; and building at least one target property map based on said target information. The target property map may be used to detect various events, particularly in connection with video surveillance.

Abstract: An input video sequence may be processed by processing the input video sequence to obtain target information; and building at least one path model based on said target information. The path model may be used to detect various events, particularly in connection with video surveillance.

Abstract: A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel ?-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel ?-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A new, non-wrapping approach to solubilize nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups for solubilizing such nanotubes. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel &pgr;-stacking. The polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups that are suitable for solubilizing a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of positioning an interventional device in a body using a guide pivoting about a pivot point, performed by locating the spatial coordinates of a target and the pivot point, determining a third point outside of the body lying along or proximate a line extending through the target and pivot point, and aligning the axis of the guide with the third point using an imaging system. There is also disclosed a medical imaging system including a processing unit and computer software operative on the processing unit to permit an operator of the system to locate the spatial coordinates of a target point and a pivot point of a guide, and determine a third point outside of the body lying along or proximate a line extending through the target and pivot point. This medical imaging system may further include computer software operative on the processing unit to assist an operator in obtaining an image by which the axis of the guide can be aligned with the third point using an imaging system.

Abstract: NMR spectroscopy data recovery methods and apparatus for improving the quality of an NMR spectrum are disclosed. The NMR spectrum is improved by acquiring more than the half spin-echo data signal and using an iterative numerical method to reconstruct the missing data points of the corresponding full symmetrical spin-echo data signal. The method includes filtering the initial data signal to extract a low-resolution phase term. The low-resolution phase term is used to form a phase-constrained initial data signal, which is Fourier-transformed to obtain a reconstructed data signal. The reconstructed data signal is modified to include the original spin-echo signal data. The formation of the reconstructed spin-echo data signal and subsequent modification is iterated until convergence is obtained. The reconstructed data signal is then Fourier-transformed to form a reconstructed NMR spectrum.

Abstract: NMR spectroscopy data recovery methods and apparatus for improving the quality of an NMR spectrum are disclosed. The NMR spectrum is improved by acquiring more than the half spin-echo data signal and using an iterative numerical method to reconstruct the missing data points of the corresponding full symmetrical spin-echo data signal. The method includes filtering the initial data signal to extract a low-resolution phase term. The low-resolution phase term is used to form a phase-constrained initial data signal, which is Fourier-transformed to obtain a reconstructed data signal. The reconstructed data signal is modified to include the original spin-echo signal data. The formation of the reconstructed spin-echo data signal and subsequent modification is iterated until convergence is obtained. The reconstructed data signal is then Fourier-transformed to form a reconstructed NMR spectrum.

Abstract: NMR spectroscopy data recovery methods and apparatus for improving the quality of an NMR spectrum are disclosed. The NMR spectrum is improved by acquiring more than the half spin-echo data signal and using an iterative numerical method to reconstruct the missing data points of the corresponding full symmetrical spin-echo data signal. The method includes filtering the initial data signal to extract a low-resolution phase term. The low-resolution phase term is used to form a phase-constrained initial data signal, which is Fourier-transformed to obtain a reconstructed data signal. The reconstructed data signal is modified to include the original spin-echo signal data. The formation of the reconstructed spin-echo data signal and subsequent modification is iterated until convergence is obtained. The reconstructed data signal is then Fourier-transformed to form a reconstructed NMR spectrum.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of positioning an interventional device in a body using a guide pivoting about a pivot point, comprising locating the spatial coordinates of a target and the pivot point, determining a third point outside of the body lying along or proximate a line extending through the target and pivot point, and aligning the axis of the guide with the third point using an imaging system. There is also disclosed a medical imaging system including a processing unit and computer software operative on the processing unit to permit an operator of the system to locate the spatial coordinates of a target point and a pivot point of a guide, and determine a third point outside of the body lying along or proximate a line extending through the target and pivot point. This medical imaging system may further include computer software operative on the processing unit to assist an operator in obtaining an image by which the axis of the guide can be aligned with the third point using an imaging system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of positioning an interventional device in a body using a guide pivoting about a pivot point, performed by locating the spatial coordinates of a target and the pivot point, determining a third point outside of the body lying along or proximate a line extending through the target and pivot point, and aligning the axis of the guide with the third point using an imaging system. There is also disclosed a medical imaging system including a processing unit and computer software operative on the processing unit to permit an operator of the system to locate the spatial coordinates of a target point and a pivot point of a guide, and determine a third point outside of the body lying along or proximate a line extending through the target and pivot point. This medical imaging system may further include computer software operative on the processing unit to assist an operator in obtaining an image by which the axis of the guide can be aligned with the third point using an imaging system.

Abstract: An alegebraic reconstruction matrix generator (90) generates an algebraic reconstruction matrix P. A gradient trajectory memory (94) contains elements k.sub.n which describe the k-space trajectory of a time-varying read gradient wave form. An A-matrix generator (96) generates a coefficient matrix A from the elements k.sub.n. A D-matrix generator (100) generates a diagonal matrix D having elements d.sub.n. Using the elements of matrices A and D, an H-matrix generator creates a matrix H. An inverter (110) inverts the matrix to obtain H.sup.-1. A transposer (112) transposes matrix A to obtain A.sup.T. A multiplication processor (114) combines H.sup.-1, A.sup.T, and D to obtain the algebraic reconstruction matrix P. A multiplication processor (122) then combines the matrix P and an array of image data lines b to generate an image matrix array X which is stored in an image memory (124). A one-dimensional column Fourier transform processor and associated memory (125) transforms and stores the image matrix array.

Abstract: A less-claustrophobic, quadrature, radio-frequency head coil (42) includes first and second broken end rings (90, 92) connected to each other in parallel by a plurality of leg conductors (94). At least two of the leg conductors are interconnected by a third arcuate conductor segment (98) axially displaced from planes of the first and second end rings to provide an opening (44) over a subject's face. The opening reduces patient claustrophobia and permits access to the patient for life-support devices or the practice of interventional medicine. The end rings have a fixed capacitance (C.sub.1, C.sub.2) between each pair of leg conductors. The fixed capacitance C.sub.1 between at least one pair of leg conductors and the fixed capacitance C.sub.2 between at least the pair of leg conductors adjacent the opening, where C.sub.2 >C.sub.1. A two-port feed (66, 68) circumferentially attached to the coil generally opposite the opening matches the individual linear modes.

Abstract: The use of devices in procedures, especially medical procedures where the events take place under view of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems is becoming more important. Although some general and specific structures have been discussed in the literature and commercialized, little has been done effectively to design devices for MRI procedures for specific tasks. The present invention describes a device for use within an organism, said device comprising an element having at least one pair of opposed RF receiver microcoils having a space between each microcoil of said pair of microcoils, the coils of said microcoils may have diameters of less than 2.4 mm.

Abstract: A single-circuit quadrature surface coil is formed from two ladder resonator coils and includes a first mode circuit path for detecting or generating magnetic flux in a vertical axis from a body under investigation and a second mode circuit path for detecting or generating magnetic flux in a parallel axis, with the first mode and second mode currents 90 degrees out of phase. The surface coil, which supports two resonance current modes for quadrature operation on only one single coil conductor structure, provides a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a good B.sub.1 homogeneity over the imaging volume. This coil alone may be used either for both transmitting and receiving RF signals or for detecting RF signals as "receive only." This coil is well suited for imaging the human neck, spine and heart.

Abstract: Within a selected slice or slab, diffusion sensitizing gradients (54, 56) and read gradients (66, 68) are induced along each of a pair of orthogonal axes (G.sub.x, G.sub.y). The motion sensitizing gradient pulses sensitize excited magnetic resonance to diffusion in a preselected diffusion direction (D) which is orthogonal to a selected read gradient direction. The diffusion sensitizing gradients are rotated by sin(.theta.+.pi./2) and cos(.theta.+.pi./2) and the read gradients are rotated by sin.theta. and cos.theta. to generate a plurality of angularly displaced data lines. The diffusion sensitivity direction remains perpendicular to the read direction in each of the angularly displaced data lines. The phase of each data line is determined (90) and shifted (94) to compensate for linear translations. The data values within each data line are shifted (86) to center the peak amplitude of the data line at a preselected position to compensate for higher order motion.

Abstract: A transmitter (24) and gradient amplifiers (20) transmit radio frequency excitation and other pulses to induce magnetic resonance in selected magnetic dipoles and cause the magnetic resonance to be focused into a series of echoes (66) at each of a plurality of preselected echo positions following each excitation. A receiver (38) converts each echo into a data line. Calibration data lines having a close to zero phase-encoding are collected and used to generate correction parameters (102) for each of the echo positions. These parameters include relative echo center positions (96) and unitary complex correction vectors (106). The calibration data lines for each of the preselected positions are one-dimensionally Fourier transformed (82) and multiplied (90) by the same complex conjugate reference echo (80). These data lines are then inverse Fourier transformed (92) to generate an auxiliary data array (94).