Abstract: A fuel efficiency signal device intended to be interposed between the accelerator pedal of a vehicle and a floor below the pedal. The signal device has wedge shaped, flexible walled, self supporting air container having walls sealingly blended to adjacent walls to form the air container. The walls are a bottom wall, a fore end wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and formed with a lateral, inwardly extending living hinge, an aft end wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a pair of opposite, outwardly bowed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and joined to the end walls and a top wall inclined at a wedge angle to the bottom wall and joining the side walls and the end walls. A whistle extends through a wall of the air container.

Abstract: A fuel efficiency signal device intended to be interposed between the accelerator pedal of a vehicle and a floor below the pedal. The signal device has wedge shaped, flexible walled, self supporting air container having walls sealingly blended to adjacent walls to form the air container. The walls are a bottom wall, a fore end wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and formed with a lateral, inwardly extending living hinge, an aft end wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a pair of opposite, outwardly bowed side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and joined to the end walls and a top wall inclined at a wedge angle to the bottom wall and joining the side walls and the end walls. A whistle extends through a wall of the air container.

Abstract: A docking station for one or more x-ray detectors is disclosed and designed to secure an x-ray detector when not in use to limit exposure of an x-ray detector to drops, jars, and other potentially damaging incidents. The docking station may be equipped to regulate the temperature of a stored x-ray detector. Thermal regulation can be achieved passively or actively using convection, conduction, radiation, and other thermal transference principles. The docking station may also include an electronic interface that communicates with a stored x-ray detector such that thermal regulation may be achieved dynamically and responsively. The docking station may be free-standing or wall-mounted. The docking station may be remote from or integrated with an x-ray scanner. The docking station may also be equipped to charge/re-charge batteries of a stored x-ray detector.

Abstract: A method and system of aligning an x-ray detector and x-ray tube for data acquisition are presented. The x-ray detector and x-ray tube are equipped with transmitters and receivers designed to provide feedback relating to the orientation, spacing, and general position thereof. In this regard, a user can effectively and efficiently position the x-ray tube and x-ray detector relative to one another for data acquisition.

Abstract: A portable medical apparatus comprising a digital radiographic image detector assembly having at least one access opening extending through an enclosure of the assembly for troubleshooting, repairing and/or replacing field replaceable components within the assembly or components that are external to the assembly but attach internally within the assembly, without exposing the rest of the assembly to the outside environment. The portable medical apparatus includes a housing, a radiographic imaging device enclosed within the housing, at least one access opening extending through the housing for accessing components of the radiographic imaging device, and an access cover removably attached to the at least one access opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a cover assembly for an x-ray detector that incorporates impact-absorbing material designed to absorb the shock, vibration, stress, and strain placed on the detector when dropped or subjected to a load. The cover assembly may include a layer or inserts of impact-absorbing material. Bumpers of impact-absorbing material may also be secured to the x-ray detector cover. Viscoelastic foam or other plastics may be used as the impact-absorbing material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a medical imaging detector by the use of triggering signals, environmental condition data, and/or determination of a variable time interval triggering event that is unique for each power consumption state. Systems and methods are provided for managing power and temperature of a device, after receiving a request for a function to be performed by the device determining an “on” trigger component, an “off” trigger component, associated circuits for performing the received function, providing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “on” trigger component, and removing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “off” trigger component. Further, an instruction is described for determining and displaying a variable time interval that is indicative of a time to change from one state to a desired state.

Abstract: An x-ray detector panel support is disclosed that is formed with radiation absorbing material to reduce the reflection of x-rays off anything behind the scintillator, which may include the geometry of the panel support, the electronics, and the back cover of the x-ray detector. The absorbing material may take the form of a discrete layer secured to or otherwise disposed within the panel support. The radiation absorbing material may also be mixed with the base materials used to fabricate the panel support. As such, when the panel support is formed, it includes radiation absorbing components. The radiation absorbing material may include lead, barium sulfate, tungsten, as well as other materials. The panel support is constructed to inhibit the detection of backscattered x-rays without significantly increasing the size or weigh of the x-ray detector. The panel support is applicable with stationary or fixed as well as portable x-ray detectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing power consumption of a medical imaging detector by the use of triggering signals, environmental condition data, and/or determination of a variable time interval triggering event that is unique for each power consumption state. Systems and methods are provided for managing power and temperature of a device, after receiving a request for a function to be performed by the device determining an “on” trigger component, an “off” trigger component, associated circuits for performing the received function, providing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “on” trigger component, and removing power to the associated circuits upon the occurrence of the “off” trigger component. Further, an instruction is described for determining and displaying a variable time interval that is indicative of a time to change from one state to a desired state.

Abstract: The present invention is a directed to a cover assembly for an x-ray detector that incorporates impact-absorbing material designed to absorb the shock, vibration, stress, and strain placed on the detector when dropped or subjected to a load. The cover assembly may include a layer or inserts of impact-absorbing material. Bumpers of impact-absorbing material may also be secured to the x-ray detector cover. Viscoelastic foam or other plastics may be used as the impact-absorbing material.