Abstract: A soft armor panel includes a first layer having a first outward facing surface and an opposite first inward facing surface. The soft armor panel also includes a second layer disposed adjacent to the first inward facing surface of the first layer, the second layer having a proximate end and a distal end. The soft armor panel further includes a third layer disposed adjacent to the second layer opposite the first layer. The third layer has a second outward facing surface and an opposite second inward facing surface, the second inward facing surface facing the second layer. The third layer includes a folded portion extending around at least one of the proximate end or the distal end of the second layer and tucking in between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: A soft armor panel includes a first layer having a first outward facing surface and an opposite first inward facing surface. The soft armor panel also includes a second layer disposed adjacent to the first inward facing surface of the first layer, the second layer having a proximate end and a distal end. The soft armor panel further includes a third layer disposed adjacent to the second layer opposite the first layer. The third layer has a second outward facing surface and an opposite second inward facing surface, the second inward facing surface facing the second layer. The third layer includes a folded portion extending around at least one of the proximate end or the distal end of the second layer and tucking in between the first layer and the second layer.

Abstract: The azimuthal aperture of the transducer in a transesophageal echocardiography probe can be maximized, for a given probe diameter, by eliminating unnecessary structures in the azimuthal direction.

Abstract: A method for detecting mixing heterogeneities is provided. The method includes subjecting components of a sensitive chemical reaction to mixing conditions while illuminating the medium sufficiently to observe regions of heterogeneity resulting from insufficient mixing. A system for detecting mixing homogeneities is also provided.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasound transducer is made from a plurality of independently excitable elements that are arranged in a row in the azimuthal direction, configured so that azimuthal aiming of an outgoing ultrasound beam is controlled by timing the excitation of the elements. The geometry of the elements is configured to focus the outgoing beam in the elevation direction so as to improve the images of target regions located at or about a particular radial distance. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by forming each element from a plurality of subelements that are stacked in the elevation direction, with the subelements of any given element all (a) wired together and (b) positioned at about the same distance from a substantially rod-shaped focal region.

Abstract: Signal processing techniques reduce the impact of noise (including speckle noise and shot noise) on ultrasound images by reducing the intensity of pixels that are probably noise and increasing the intensity of pixels that are probably signal. The decision of whether a given pixel is probably noise or probably signal is made based on spectral characteristics of the samples in and around the given pixel, based on knowledge of the expected spectral characteristics of the signal and the expected spectral characteristics of the noise.

Abstract: Transesophageal echocardiography is implemented using a miniature transversely oriented transducer that is preferably small enough to fit in a 7.5 mm diameter probe, and most preferably small enough to fit in a 5 mm diameter probe. Signal processing techniques improve the depth of penetration to the point where the complete trans-gastric short axis view of the left ventricle can be obtained, despite the fact that the transducer is so small. The reduced diameter of the probe (as compared to prior art probes) reduces risks to patients, reduces or eliminates the need for anesthesia, and permits long term direct-visualization monitoring of patients' cardiac function.

Abstract: Transesophageal echocardiography is implemented using a miniature transversely oriented transducer that is preferably small enough to fit in a 7.5 mm diameter probe, and most preferably small enough to fit in a 5 mm diameter probe. Signal processing techniques improve the depth of penetration to the point where the complete trans-gastric short axis view of the left ventricle can be obtained, despite the fact that the transducer is so small. The reduced diameter of the probe (as compared to prior art probes) reduces risks to patients, reduces or eliminates the need for anesthesia, and permits long term direct-visualization monitoring of patients' cardiac function.

Abstract: A method for reducing speckle in an ultrasonic image formed from a digitized scan line including linearly arranged signal intensity data points obtained from ultrasonic energy reflected by structures within a body. The scan line is divided into intensity pixels. Each intensity pixel includes at least one data point. A raw intensity level and a feature gain factor are determined for each intensity pixel. A corrected intensity level is calculated for each intensity pixel by multiplying the raw intensity level for each intensity pixel by the corresponding feature gain factor. The corrected intensity level of each intensity pixel is displayed.