Abstract: A single interconnection unit provides all of the signal connections required to operate a group of PMTs and to transmit signals therefrom to acquisition electronics exterior to an enclosure for the PMTs in a nuclear scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the interconnection unit provides a shielded differential pair connection for RF signals; power supply connections for the PMTs, providing all of the voltages required to operate PMTs and the associated circuits, as well as connections for those signals and appropriate ground planes. Preferably, interconnection unit comprises a flex circuit with end connectors designed to connect to a power supply unit and an acquisition unit remote from the PMTs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring total uniformity for a scintillation imaging apparatus are provided. A generic energy (Z) map is first obtained. The generic Zmap is then corrected for linearity by use of a dot pattern. The listmode data is used to construct an energy histogram matrix. A twin Zmap is then obtained by optimizing the lower and upper boundaries of the energy window for each pixel in relation to the average energy over the Center Field of View.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods where an implantable microphone of an implantable hearing system is positioned at a location spaced from the surface of the patient's skull. More specifically, the microphone is mounted to soft tissue of the patient to at least partially isolate the microphone from skull-borne vibrations. Accordingly, by utilizing a soft tissue mount, the microphone may be made more sensitive to ambient sounds with reduced concern to amplification of non-ambient vibrations caused by skull-borne vibrations including, for example, transducer feedback, talking and/or chewing. The system will further include an auditory stimulation device that is located proximate to the skull of the patient and which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of the patient in accordance with an output signal generated by the microphone. A subcutaneously routed signal wire may extend between the implanted microphone and the auditory stimulation device.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating a scintillation camera includes steps of constructing a pair of generic linearity coefficient (LC) matrices from a representative detector based on measurement of non-linearity; and transforming the pair of generic LC matrices according to measured pinhole locations from a lead mask to generate detector specific LC matrices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus including an electrical penetration assembly for coupling a plurality of photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs) inside of a tub enclosure of a nuclear detector with an acquisition electronics system (AES) outside of the tub enclosure. The electrical penetration assembly may include at least one flex circuit, a plurality of flex circuit-PMT connectors, at least one flex circuit-AES connector, a flex circuit guide, a tub-penetration mechanical support, a support-to-tub retention mechanism, and a light seal.

Abstract: In some preferred embodiments, an apparatus is provided that facilitates correction, such as, e.g., linearity correction, in imaging devices, such as, e.g., scintillation cameras. In preferred embodiments, a mask is implemented that can produce images for locating the actual position of a nuclear event based on its apparent position with high accuracy and reliability. In the preferred embodiments, the mask includes a non-uniform array of apertures that can achieve this goal.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods where an implantable microphone of an implantable hearing system is positioned at a location spaced from the surface of the patient's skull. More specifically, the microphone is mounted to soft tissue of the patient to at least partially isolate the microphone from skull-borne vibrations. Accordingly, by utilizing a soft tissue mount, the microphone may be made more sensitive to ambient sounds with reduced concern to amplification of non-ambient vibrations caused by skull-borne vibrations including, for example, transducer feedback, talking and/or chewing. The system will further include an auditory stimulation device that is located proximate to the skull of the patient and which is operative to stimulate an auditory component of the patient in accordance with an output signal generated by the microphone. A subcutaneously routed signal wire may extend between the implanted microphone and the auditory stimulation device.

Abstract: A single interconnection unit provides all of the signal connections required to operate a group of PMTs and to transmit signals therefrom to acquisition electronics exterior to an enclosure for the PMTs in a nuclear scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the interconnection unit provides a shielded differential pair connection for RF signals; power supply connections for the PMTs, providing all of the voltages required to operate PMTs and the associated circuits, as well as connections for those signals and appropriate ground planes. Preferably, interconnection unit comprises a flex circuit with end connectors designed to connect to a power supply unit and an acquisition unit remote from the PMTs.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method is provided for supportably mounting an implantable hearing aid device to a patient's skull. The apparatus includes a support member adapted for supporting a hearing aid device and a plurality of mounting legs extending laterally from the support member in differing directions. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for use in conforming the mounting legs to the topology of a patient's skull. In one arrangement, the mechanism includes a plurality of guide legs having a reduced yield strength in comparison to the mounting legs. The reduced yield strength guide legs may be more readily conformed to the topology of the patient's skull to provide a mounting leg profile. Accordingly, the mounting legs may be deformed to match the profile of the guide legs such that a conformal fit between the apparatus and the patient's skull may be achieved.

Abstract: An acoustic ceiling removal tool and associated method are provided wherein an elongated tubular handle defines a longitudinal cavity, and a scraping head is connected to a distal end of the handle. The scraping head has a manifold with a proximal end in fluid communication with the longitudinal cavity and an opposing open end defining a comparatively larger cross sectional area than the proximal end, a scraper blade supported by the manifold to dispose an operative scraping edge of the scraper blade adjacent the open end of the manifold, and an elastomeric boot sealingly engaging the proximal end of the manifold and extending therefrom to circumscribe the open end of the manifold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for determining whether X-rays produced by a computer tomography (CT) scanner have infiltrated a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner and shutting down at least one of a power source to one or more photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs) of the SPECT scanner, and an X-ray source of the CT scanner, when the determination is affirmative.

Abstract: A circuit board which has a high speed digital circuit in close proximity to a sensitive analog structure has a grounded, conductive band interposed between them and a ground plane with two separate, grounded portions, with a first of the portions underlying the digital circuit and a second portion underlying the analog structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the circuit board has a high density of analog-to-digital converter integrated circuits, each with two analog input signals and ten parallel high speed digital output signals corresponding to each input signal. A grounded, conductive band is placed on the board between the inputs and outputs of the integrated circuit, and a ground plane is provide which has separate, interleaved analog and digital areas, with the digital area underlying only portions of the board having digital signals and structures and the analog area underlying only portions of the board having analog signals and structures.

Abstract: A hearing aid transducer that includes an actuator advanceable relative to the transducer to couple with a middle ear component. In one aspect of the invention, the actuator is a separate structure from the transducer that is insertable into an aperture defined between a first and second end of the transducer. This permits separate connection of the actuator to the middle ear component and the transducer to improve coupling of the transducer to the middle ear component, e.g., minimizing loads on the middle ear component.

Abstract: The crawler type traveling apparatus 5 includes a pivot shaft 6 provided on a vehicle body having a hydraulic source in a protruding state, a track frame 51 rocking around and pivotably supported against this pivot shaft 6, a final reduction gear 53 including a sprocket 531 engaged by a crawler 56 and provided at an end part of this track frame 51, and a hydraulic motor 57 for driving the sprocket 531 of the final reduction gear 53 for rotation, in which the hydraulic motor 57 is provided on a vehicle inner side with respect to the final reduction gear 53.

Abstract: A system for reducing the vibration sensitivity of an implantable microphone without an equal or greater reduction in sound sensitivity. The system reduces non-ambient vibrations by placing at least one compliant member into the path of transmission for tissue-borne vibration, but not into the path for ambient sound-induced vibration. More particularly, a compliant member is interposed along the path between a source of non-ambient vibration and an implanted microphone. In one aspect, a compliant base member is disposed between an implanted microphone and an implant wearer's skull. In another aspect, a microphone is compliantly suspended relative to an implant housing using a support membrane. In either aspect, the compliant member (i.e., base member and/or membrane) and the supported member (i.e., housing and/or microphone) define a supported system having a natural or resonant frequency. This natural frequency may be set to a value to advantageously isolate the microphone against transmitted vibration.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a multimodality diagnostic imaging system having one or more gamma cameras and a flat panel x-ray detector mounted on a common gantry to perform simultaneous FPCT and SPECT studies. In other embodiments, such systems may included EKG devices to gate said studies.

Abstract: The crawler type traveling apparatus 5 includes a pivot shaft 6 provided on a vehicle body having a hydraulic source in a protruding state, a track frame 51 rocking around and pivotably supported against this pivot shaft 6, a final reduction gear 53 including a sprocket 531 engaged by a crawler 56 and provided at an end part of this track frame 51, and a hydraulic motor 57 for driving the sprocket 531 of the final reduction gear 53 for rotation, in which the hydraulic motor 57 is provided on a vehicle inner side with respect to the final reduction gear 53.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving passages. An end cap is coupled to a rear end of the housing and includes a plurality of through passages aligned with the terminal-receiving passages in the housing. A plurality of conductive terminals are insertable into the terminal-receiving passages in the housing from the rear termination end thereof through the through passages in the end cap. Each terminal includes a rear terminating end comprising a crimp section for crimping onto an electrical wire. The cross-sectional configuration of the crimp section relative to the cross-sectional configuration of the respective through passage in the end cap prevents the terminal from rotating as the crimp section passes through the through passage in the end cap.