Abstract: A bearing having improved wear resistance has a bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy which may also include phosphorus which has excellent strength, due to the solid solution of copper, tin and phosphorus (when used), attached to a steel backing shell. The material also has good lubricity as a result of the presence of the bismuth which also promotes tin mobilization and formation of a layer of tin on the bearing surface upon use of the bearing. The addition of small amounts of relatively small hard particles in the copper-tin-matrix, particularly Fe3P, MoSi2 or a mixture thereof, provides a suitable hard surface artifact to improve the wear resistance of the bearing material. The bearing includes a sintered powder compact bearing material of a copper-tin-bismuth alloy powder and a metal compound powder which is bonded to a steel backing shell, wherein the metal compound powder has an average particle size of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a region of interest, during a contrast agent based perfusion scan, at a predetermined temporal sampling rate during contrast agent uptake in the region of interest, and generating time frame data indicative of the scanned region of interest. The method further includes identifying a predetermined change in an amount of the contrast agent in the region of interest from the time frame data. The method further includes scanning the region of interest at a lower temporal sampling rate, which is lower than the temporal sampling rate during the contrast agent uptake, in response to identifying the predetermined change in the amount of the contrast agent in the region of interest.

Abstract: In a method for producing a plain bearing, an aluminium-iron-silicon alloy is rolled onto a steel backing, wherein the ratio of iron to silicon is between 2:1 and 4:1. A plain bearing has a sliding surface of such an aluminium-iron-silicon alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computed tomography system (10) and a corresponding method which enable tracking of a contrast material bolus and which involve a reduced radiation dose.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an interventional apparatus (102) and an imaging scanner (101). The interventional apparatus includes a interventional instrument (204) configured to perform an image-guided interventional procedure for a patient. The interventional apparatus includes a position detector (122) that detects a position of the interventional instrument within a region of the patient at which the image-guided interventional procedure is performed from outside of the region of interest and generates a signal indicative of the detected position. The imaging scanner includes a controller (114) that activates the imaging scanner to scan the region of interest and the interventional instrument therein for one or more data acquisition cycles based on the movement signal.

Abstract: A method includes reconstructing measured projection data using an iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm that reduces image artifact caused by differences in variances in projections of the measured projection data used to update a voxel of the image for one or more voxels of the image. A reconstructor includes a processor that reconstructs measured projection data using an iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm that reduces or mitigates image artifact caused by differences in variances in projections used to update a voxel of the image for one or more voxels of the image. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor of a computer, cause the processor to: reduce image artifact caused by differences in variances in projections used to update a voxel of an image for one or more voxels of the image using an iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a forward projection apparatus for performing a forward projection through an image (22), wherein at least one of a number of rays (20, 21) for performing the forward projection, a ray spacing between the rays and a kernel width of an interpolation kernel for calculating interpolated values located on the rays is varied depending on the ray width relative to an effective image element spacing between image elements (24) of the image. This allows reducing artifacts in simulated projection data and, thus, in an image, which is iteratively reconstructed by using the simulated projection data. For example, if the number of provided rays and/or the ray spacing between the provided rays is varied, aliasing artifacts can be reduced. Moreover, if the ray spacing between the provided rays and/or the kernel width of the interpolation kernel is varied, artifacts caused by varying effective kernel widths may be reduced.

Abstract: A method is provided for using CT imaging data to characterize the movement of a moving object. The method calculates one or more motion values based on motion vectors which are representative of the object's movement. The moving object may be, for example, a beating heart.

Abstract: In a method for producing a lead-free sliding bearing, a copper-based material comprising a total of 0.1% to 3% of the elements aluminum, magnesium, silicon, titanium, zircon, and chromium is sintered. Additionally, up to 15% tin can be included in order to ensure optimal properties for use in the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus for generating an image of a region of interest. The imaging apparatus comprises a radiation source (2), a detection unit (6) for generating detection data and a moving unit (1, 7, 8) for moving the radiation source (2) and the region of interest relative to each other, while the detection data are generated. The imaging apparatus further comprises an identification unit (13) for identifying in the detection data high density detection data and non-high density detection data. A density weighting unit (14) density weights the detection data, wherein at least a part of the high density detection data has a smaller density weight than the non-high density detection data, and a reconstruction unit (15) reconstructs an image of the region of interest from the weighted detection data.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. A controller activates the radiation source to emit radiation and deactivates the radiation source to stop radiation emission. The controller selectively activates the radiation source to emit radiation at one or more pre-determined angles. In another embodiment, the imaging system includes a data processing component that generates a virtual three dimensional image of an object of interest of the scanned subject based on the image data. In another embodiment, the imaging system is in a communication with a data manipulation and packaging component that generates at least a two dimensional or a three dimensional data set based on the volumetric image data and packages the data set in an object provided to a remote system that manipulates and navigates through the data set.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a radiation source (110) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region. A controller (116) activates the radiation source (110) to emit radiation and deactivates the radiation source (110) to stop radiation emission. The controller (116) selectively activates the radiation source (110) to emit radiation at one or more pre-determined angles. In another embodiment, the imaging system includes a data processing component (124) that generates a virtual three dimensional image of an object of interest of the scanned subject based on the image data. In another embodiment, the imaging system is in a communication with a data manipulation and packaging component (128) that generates at least a two dimensional or a three dimensional data set based on the volumetric image data and packages the data set in an object provided to a remote system (132) that manipulates and navigates through the data set.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism secures a shaft-to-collar connection for two shafts, such as an extension shaft stub and a tractor PTO shaft. An annular locking element on the first shaft prevents an axial disconnection of an established connection. One of the shafts has a collar with a positive engagement element for a locking engagement with the other shaft. The other shaft includes a positive engagement for a locking engagement with the collar. To enable an easier handling of the axial locking of the shaft to collar connection, the locking element includes a first set of teeth which are complementarily to a second set of teeth on the second shaft. The locking element is rotatably arranged on the first shaft and can be rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position the teeth overlap.

Abstract: CuFe2P is used in a plain bearing or as a plain bearing material. A plain bearing composite material which comprises a supporting layer is provided with a bearing metal layer based on CuFe2P.

Abstract: A sliding element 20, such as a bushing or bearing, includes a sintered powder metal base 24 deposited on a steel backing 22. The base 24 includes a tin, bismuth, first hard particles 40, such as Fe3P and MoSi2, and a balance of copper. In one embodiment, a tin overplate 26 is applied to the base 24. A nickel barrier layer 42 can be disposed between the base 24 and the tin overplate 26, and a tin-nickel intermediate layer 44 between the nickel bather layer 42 and the tin overplate 26. In another embodiment, the sliding element 20 includes either a sputter coating 30 of aluminum or a polymer coating 28 disposed directly on the base 24. The polymer coating 28 includes second hard particles 48, such as Fe2O3. The polymer coating 28 together with the base 24 provides exceptional wear resistance over time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide bearing composite material having at least one carrier layer and a sintered bearing metal layer. The sintered bearing metal layer is designed in at least one layer region as a gradient layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for imaging a portion of a patient that moves as a patient breathes. A motion map is produced of the portion's motion during a breathing cycle of the patient. A scanning protocol is generated using information obtained from the motion map for a given source/detector position and a given point in the breathing cycle. The scanning protocol comprises at least one setting for at least one imaging apparatus component such that a desired amount of x-ray dosage is applied to the portion of the patient at the given source/detector position and the given point in the breathing cycle. An imaging scan is performed of the portion of the patient. The at least one imaging apparatus component is adjusted during the imaging scan.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to filter x-ray beams generated using a CT apparatus or other x-ray based system with displaced acquisition geometry. A CT apparatus may be used having a source (102), a detector (104) transversely displaced from a center (114) of a field of view (118) during acquisition of the projection data, and a filter (146). The filter may absorb at least a portion of overlapping radiation emitted by the source at opposing angular positions. The amount of transverse displacement may be determined for a desired field of view configuration and amount of overlapping radiation. The detector may be adjusted to correspond to the amount of determined transverse displacement. The size and location of the filter may be determined based on the amount of overlapping radiation. The filter may be adjusted to correspond to the determined size and location of the filter.

Abstract: An image processing device is proposed and includes a reconstruction unit (51) for reconstruction of a 3D volume image of said object from said first series of X-ray projection images (D), a segmentation unit (52) for segmentation of the vessel tree from said 3D volume image, a forward projection unit (54) for forward projection of the segmented vessel tree onto said first and projection plane (R1, R2), respectively, and a mapping unit (55) for mapping of the image values of pixels of the vessel tree in said second and third, respectively, series of X-ray projection images onto corresponding voxels of said 3D volume image to obtain said time series of 3D volume images showing the blood flow in the vascular tree of the object.