Abstract: There is disclosed composite material lay-up equipment for applying a plurality of individual lengths of elongate fibre reinforcement material to an article, the equipment comprising: a support head; a cutting mechanism carried by the support head for severing a plurality of individual lengths of elongate fibre reinforcement material. The cutting mechanism comprises a plurality of cutting elements coupled to and moveable with respect to the support head and a cassette removably attached to the support head and having a plurality of corresponding counteracting elements statically mounted thereto. Each cutting element is displaceable relative to the corresponding counteracting element to perform a cutting stroke in which the respective cutting and counteracting elements cooperate to sever a length of elongate fibre reinforcement material extending through the nip formed between them.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed, for intelligent management of multiple communications links. One communications link can be used to bring up another communications link with little or no user input. Selective enablement/disablement of one or more of the communications links is based on system needs and, other criteria. Utilizing one more-secure communications link to improve security on another less-secure communications link between the same devices is also contemplated.

Abstract: There is disclosed composite material lay-up equipment 10 for applying a plurality of individual lengths of elongate fibre reinforcement material 14 to an article 12, the equipment 10 comprising: a support head 20; a cutting mechanism 22 carried by the support head 20 for severing a plurality of individual lengths of elongate fibre reinforcement material 14. The cutting mechanism 22 comprises a plurality of cutting elements 60 coupled to and moveable with respect to the support head 20 and a cassette 65 removably attached to the support head 20 and having a plurality of corresponding counteracting elements 76 statically mounted thereto. Each cutting element 60 is displaceable relative to the corresponding counteracting element 76 to perform a cutting stroke in which the respective cutting and counteracting elements 60, 76 cooperate to sever a length of elongate fibre reinforcement 14 material extending through the nip formed between them.

Abstract: A material preparation device is provided. The material preparation device includes a bias-ply assembly, a feedstock assembly and an application head. The bias-ply assembly is configured to pass a bias-ply backing material along a first path. The feedstock assembly is configured to pass a feedstock along a second path that crosses the first path at a select angle. The feedstock includes resin pre-impregnated fiber reinforced material (pre-preg) having the fibers at a first orientation relative to an edge of the feedstock. The application head is configured to transfer the pre-preg from the feedstock to the bias-ply backing material at a location where the first path crosses the second path to form a bias-ply with the fibers of the pre-preg having a second different orientation relative to an edge of the formed bias-ply.

Abstract: A method for processing a composite includes consolidating a section of a continuous length of a first feedstock together with a section of a continuous length of a second feedstock to form a consolidated section. The first feedstock is made of a first composite layer that is releasably bonded to a first release layer, and the second feedstock is made of a second composite layer that is releasably bonded to a second release layer. The first release layer is then separated from the consolidated section and from a portion of the first composite layer a distance beyond an edge of the consolidated section. The first composite layer is then cut within the distance beyond the edge to release the consolidated section from the remaining continuous length of the first feedstock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting scattering in SPECT I-123 imaging. The method generally includes: accessing list mode data for a plurality of pixels corresponding to a first SPECT I-123 image generated using a gamma camera; generating a raw energy spectrum for at least some of the pixels utilizing the acquired list mode data; acquiring a gamma camera model corresponding to the gamma camera; utilizing the gamma camera model and an iterative algorithm to apply a first scattering correction to the raw energy spectrum; utilizing a Compton window to apply a second scattering correction to the raw energy spectrum; and generating a correction table with the corrected raw energy spectrum.

Abstract: A method for processing a composite includes consolidating a section of a continuous length of a first feedstock together with a section of a continuous length of a second feedstock to form a consolidated section. The first feedstock is made of a first composite layer that is releasably bonded to a first release layer, and the second feedstock is made of a second composite layer that is releasably bonded to a second release layer. The first release layer is then separated from the consolidated section and from a portion of the first composite layer a distance beyond an edge of the consolidated section. The first composite layer is then cut within the distance beyond the edge to release the consolidated section from the remaining continuous length of the first feedstock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting scattering in SPECT I-123 imaging. The method generally includes: accessing list mode data for a plurality of pixels corresponding to a first SPECT I-123 image generated using a gamma camera; generating a raw energy spectrum for at least some of the pixels utilizing the acquired list mode data; acquiring a gamma camera model corresponding to the gamma camera; utilizing the gamma camera model and an iterative algorithm to apply a first scattering correction to the raw energy spectrum; utilizing a Compton window to apply a second scattering correction to the raw energy spectrum; and generating a correction table with the corrected raw energy spectrum.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program, method, and system to facilitate hybrid CT attenuation correction. In one embodiment, the method generally includes acquiring data from a scanner, utilizing an ordered subset expectation maximization-bayesian algorithm to reconstruct the acquired data, and forward projecting the reconstructed data. Such a configuration minimizes the computing resources required for reconstruction and improves attenuation correction accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program, method, and system to facilitate hybrid CT attenuation correction. In one embodiment, the method generally includes acquiring data from a scanner, utilizing an ordered subset expectation maximization-bayesian algorithm to reconstruct the acquired data, and forward projecting the reconstructed data. Such a configuration minimizes the computing resources required for reconstruction and improves attenuation correction accuracy.

Abstract: System and method are disclosed for helping users determine, evaluate, and/or place orders for nutritional blend formulations to be manufactured from available nutritional formulation materials. A web-accessible graphical user interface receives specifications from a user for a nutritional blend formulation (e.g., intended use, desired nutritional activity, and/or concentration of nutrients in the formulation). Information concerning the available nutritional formulation materials are organized into hierarchies that facilitate identifying the available nutritional formulation materials for preparing the formulation. The system converts the specifications into information reported to the user. The user can modify the specifications to determine the effect on the reported information (e.g., cost), and such modifications can be made repeatedly until the user is satisfied. The user can submit the proposed formulation to the manufacturer or vendor to allow them to review, approve, or modify the formulation.

Abstract: A highly directional radiation probe with a laser guide to pinpoint the position of a source of radiation. The probe is configured with a lead pinhole collimator, a radiation detector configured to detect radiation through the pinhole, and a laser positioned in the collimator and configured to project a beam through the pinhole. When the probe is aligned with the radiation source detected through the pinhole, the laser is activated and projects a beam at the source position. The probe can scan a person in three dimensions to quickly locate radioactive shrapnel for removal. The probe can also be used to pinpoint small sources of radiation in a localized area within a radius up to about 20 meters or further, depending on the level of radiation exposure encountered. The probe is adapted to be hand-held, battery-operated and used with a visual or audible radioactivity indicator or a visual display device.