Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and system for enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging, said method comprising: a setting step for setting a scanning depth corresponding to a depth of a part or tissue target in a patient's body; and a determining step for automatically determining a needle frame steering angle and an ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection based on the scanning depth. In the embodiments of the present invention, the needle frame steering angle and ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection and the filter kernel for enhancing edge filtering of the collected needle frame are both dependent upon the scanning depth, and thereby can achieve enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging for scanning at different depths without participation of the user or extra change of hardware.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion eyelet fabric and a sun shed. The photoelectric conversion eyelet fabric (1) comprises a fabric body (15), wherein the fabric body (15) is provided with a plurality of eyelets (12), which penetrate through the fabric body (15) and are arranged at intervals; and one side of the fabric body (15) is provided with a photoelectric conversion element (11) having a waterproof facility and electrically connected to an energy storage battery.

Abstract: A silicon photomultiplier array including a plurality of microcells arranged in subgroupings, each microcell of a respective subgrouping providing a pulse output in response to an incident radiation. Each microcell output interconnected by respective traces of equal length to either a summing node or an integrated buffer amplifier. Each respective summing node configured to sum the pulse outputs of a first subgroup of the microcell subgroupings, and each respective integrated buffer amplifier configured to sum the pulse outputs of each microcell of a second subgrouping, the respective integrated buffer amplifier located on the silicon photomultiplier array within the second subgroup of microcells. The plurality of microcells arranged in one of columns and rows, and a first group of the arranged plurality of microcells being a mirror image of a second group of the arranged plurality of microcells about a midpoint between one of the columns and rows.

Abstract: A silicon photomultiplier includes a plurality of microcells providing a pulse output in response to an incident radiation, each microcell including circuitry configured to enable and disable the pulse output. Each microcell includes a cell disable switch. The control logic circuit controls the cell disable switch and a self-test circuit. A microcell's pulse output is disabled when the cell disable switch is in a first state. A method for self-test calibration of microcells includes providing a test enable signal to the microcells, integrating dark current for a predetermined time period, comparing the integrated dark current to a predetermined threshold level, and providing a signal if above the predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: Embodiments of a solid state photomultiplier are provided herein. In some embodiments, a photosensor may include a sensing element; and readout electronics, wherein the sensing element is AC coupled to the readout electronics. In some embodiments, a solid state photomultipler may include a microcell having; a sensing element; and readout electronics, wherein the sensing element is AC coupled to the readout electronics.

Abstract: This disclosure provides plants having desirable levels of lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens; methods of selecting plants with such desirable levels of lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens; methods of genetically modifying plants to modulate lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens; and uses of such plants. The inventors have determined that the expression and/or activity of POPTR_0014s08530, a gene encoding an Angustifolia/CtBP transcription factor, modulates lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens in plants. Plants with lignin synthesis, sugar release, S/G ratio, and resistance to stress and pathogens, based on modulation of the expression or activity of the POPTR_0014s08530 gene, have divergent uses including pulp and paper production, and ethanol/biofuel production.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and system for enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging, said method comprising: a setting step for setting a scanning depth corresponding to a depth of a part or tissue target in a patient's body; and a determining step for automatically determining a needle frame steering angle and an ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection based on the scanning depth. In the embodiments of the present invention, the needle frame steering angle and ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection and the filter kernel for enhancing edge filtering of the collected needle frame are both dependent upon the scanning depth, and thereby can achieve enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging for scanning at different depths without participation of the user or extra change of hardware.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging processing method based on RF data includes the following steps: S1, receiving echo signals which are obtained by sending ultrasound signals; S2, beamforming the echo signals; S3, obtaining the RF data of the echo signals; and S4, directly conducting an ultrasonic imaging process based on the obtained RF data in order to obtain a target image. The ultrasonic imaging processing method and system based on the RF data according to the present application directly conduct ultrasonic imaging treatment based on the obtained RF data of the echo signals in order to obtain the target image. As a result, the system is simple and with no loss of data information. Besides, real-time performance and image quality of ultrasonic diagnose appliance by using such method and system are improved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging. The method comprises setting a scanning depth corresponding to a depth of a part or tissue target in a patient's body; and automatically determining a needle frame steering angle and an ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection based on the scanning depth.

Abstract: Photomultipliers are disclosed which comprise circuitry for detecting photo electric events and generating short digital pulses in response. In one embodiment, the photomultipliers comprise solid state photomultipliers having an array of microcells. The microcells, in one embodiment, in response to incident photons, generate a digital pulse signal having a duration of about 2 ns or less.

Abstract: A compensating current is applied at one or more points in a signal processing path to compensate for one or both of a dark or offset current present in an input signal. In certain implementations, the dark or offset current is present in a signal generated by a photomultiplier device. The dark or offset current may be monitored in an output of the signal processing path and, the monitoring being used to determine how much compensation is needed in the signal processing path and to allocate where in the signal processing path the compensation current will be applied.

Abstract: A method for needle visualization for an ultrasound imaging device, the method comprising alternately acquiring a tissue frame followed by a needle frame at a temporal spacing to form a frame sequence, spatially compounding the frame sequence, and outputting an image frame resulting from spatial compounding.

Abstract: A commutator (10) comprising a plurality of commutator bars (12) formed from a graphite structure (30) and a metal sheet (20) having soldered to the graphite structure (30) includes a brazing process followed by a soldering process. The brazing process includes applying a brazing material the graphite structure (30) and brazing at an elevated temperature to form a brazing layer (40). The soldering process includes applying a solder material to the brazing layer (40), placing the metal sheet (20) on the solder material, and soldering to form a solder layer (50) affixing the metal sheet (20) to the graphite structure (30). A plurality of grooves (70) are cut in the graphite structure (30) and the metal sheet (20) to form the commutator bars (12) arranged in an intermittent ring or circle.

Abstract: An assembly comprises a carbon structure (10), a metal sheet (40), a brazing layer (20) disposed on a surface of the carbon structure (10). The brazing layer (20) is formed by brazing a brazing material on the surface of the carbon structure (10), and a solder layer (30) disposed on a surface of the brazing layer (20) and binding the metal sheet (40) to the brazing layer (20). A method for affixing a metal sheet (40) to a carbon structure (10) and a method for metalizing a surface of a carbon structure (10) are also provided.

Abstract: A multichannel application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for interfacing with an array of photodetectors in a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system includes a front end circuit configured to be coupled to the photodetectors and to receive discrete analog signals therefrom. The ASIC further includes a time discriminating circuit operably coupled to the front end circuit and configured to generate a hit signal based on a combination of the discrete analog signals, and an energy discriminating circuit operably coupled to the front end circuit and configured to generate a summed energy output signal based on each of the discrete analog signals and summed row and column output signals based on each of the discrete analog signals. The summed energy output signal represents an energy level of the detected radiation in the array of photodetectors, and the summed row and column output signals represent a location of the detected radiation.

Abstract: A method for regulating the acquisition of an analog input signal from a digital X-ray panel is provided. The method includes opening a switch disposed between an integrator and the digital X-ray panel prior to an integrator event or upon detection of a fault in the digital X-ray panel to decouple the integrator from the digital X-ray panel, wherein the integrator is configured to integrate the analog input signal from the digital X-ray panel. Also, a system for data acquisition is provided. Further, a method for fault protection of the digital X-ray panel is provided.

Abstract: A method for needle visualization for an ultrasound imaging device, the method comprising alternately acquiring a tissue frame followed by a needle frame at a temporal spacing to form a frame sequence, spatially compounding the frame sequence, and outputting an image frame resulting from spatial compounding.

Abstract: A method for regulating the acquisition of an analog input signal from a digital X-ray panel is provided. The method includes opening a switch disposed between an integrator and the digital X-ray panel prior to an integrator event or upon detection of a fault in the digital X-ray panel to decouple the integrator from the digital X-ray panel, wherein the integrator is configured to integrate the analog input signal from the digital X-ray panel. Also, a system for data acquisition is provided. Further, a method for fault protection of the digital X-ray panel is provided.

Abstract: A method of enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging is provided. The method includes reducing overall gain in needle frames, and applying a nonlinear mapping to the needle frames, wherein the nonlinear mapping is configured to make strong signals stronger and make weak signals weaker after mapping.