Abstract: A filter component assembly kit includes a bobbin that is configured with first and second members and a core that is in a quadrangular frame shape. When the first member is assembled with the second member, a through hole is formed in the bobbin. The through hole extends in a first direction. The core is configured with first and second extension bars. The first and second extension bars extend in parallel in the first direction. When the first extension bar is disposed in the through hole of the bobbin, rotation of the core around the first extension bar is prevented. First allowance of the first extension bar in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, in the through hole is larger than second allowance of the first extension bar in a third direction, which is perpendicular to the first and second directions, in the through hole.

Abstract: A control handle of a treatment probe is manipulated to advance and/or deploy one or more treatment structures into tissue. The treatment probe is coupled to a display to show an image field including target tissue for treatment. Virtual treatment and safety boundaries are overlaid over the image field. The boundaries include virtual stop positions for the needle and tines. A joystick or directional pad on the probe handle, operable independently from the user interface to advance and/or deploy the one or more treatment structures, can be manipulated to adjust the size and/or position of these boundaries. Sensors within the probe detect the real-time position of the one or more treatment structures, and the sensed positions are displayed in real-time. The user can observe the display to deploy the one or more treatment structures to the displayed virtual stop positions.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a removable transducer module having memory. In one example, a transducer module for an ultrasound imaging system comprises a casing configured to fit into a module receiver of the ultrasound imaging system, an array of transducer elements, and a non-transitory memory configured to store at least one of usage data and specification data for the transducer module.

Abstract: A method for assisted reading of automated ultrasound image volumes includes receiving a plurality of scan images generated from an imaging device, wherein the plurality of scan images comprises a chest wall region. The method further includes determining a chest wall model representative of the chest wall region based on the plurality of scan images. The method also includes determining a plurality of segmented scan images segmented along the chest wall region based on the chest wall model. In addition, the method includes determining lesion information using an automated lesion detection technique applied to the plurality of segmented scan images. The method also includes displaying the plurality of scan images along with at least one of the lesion information and the chest wall model.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for obtaining ultrasound images of a patient's breast that is chestwardly compressed with a template that is essentially planar and rotates relative to the breast while one or more ultrasound transducers moving with the template take 2D images of the breast through one or more respective radially oriented slots in the template, preferably through a membrane that is porous to a gel. The 2D images are processed into slice images representing breast slices of desired thicknesses and orientation that are displayed alone or with some of the 2D images, preferably pairs of orthogonally disposed 2D images.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for imaging a tissue. In one example, a system comprises an adjustable arm, a scanning assembly attached to a first end of the adjustable arm, a counterweight coupled to a second end of the adjustable arm, and a weight adjustment system coupled to the counterweight and configured to modify an effective weight of the scanning assembly.

Abstract: A network transformer, including a housing and a partition member, wherein, the housing defines a chamber therein, a plurality of external pins are provided at edge of the housing, the partition member is mounted in the chamber and divides the chamber into two spaces, in each of which a plurality of magnetic cores are mounted, the magnetic core is winded at least with a coil, and the external pin is connected to the ends of the coil. The network transformer can improve insulating effect and anti-interference capability between internal channels, and be conducive to make the most use of the product space.

Abstract: Method and related apparatuses are described for performing automated ultrasound mammography with reduced nipple shadow effects. The breast is compressed in a direction generally toward the chest wall of the patient with one side of a compressive member which is preferably a membrane. The breast is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array positioned in acoustic communication with the other side of the membrane. Beamsteering is used. The signals from the beamsteered energy are combined to generate one or more compound images having a reduced nipple shadow effect. An acoustic couplant is preferably applied between the breast and the membrane. The images of the sub-nipple region are also preferably enhanced by making comparisons with reference areas of the breast in areas away from the nipple shadow effected area. The images are preferably displayed to a user, either automatically or upon receiving a preference from the user.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of retreating a viscous semi-solid dewatered sludge having a water content of 70-85%, which is characterized by comprising the steps of: (1) adding a desiccant into said dewatered sludge, and stirring the resulting mixture to produce a mixed sludge having a water content of 50-60%; and (2) drying the mixed sludge to produce a dried granular sludge, which has a water content of 45% or less. The method of retreating the sludge of the present invention can decrease the treatment energy consumption, have a simple dry waste gas treatment, greatly reduce the cost for treating the sludge, accomplish the clean production and the sludge's innocuity, stabilization, minimization, and recycle.

Abstract: Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus (1202) including a hand-manipulable compression/scanning assembly (1208). The compression/scanning assembly (1208) comprises an ultrasound transducer (1304) and a compressive member comprising an at least partially conformable membrane (1218) in a substantially taut state, the membrane (1218) having a first surface compressing the breast in a generally chestward direction and a second surface opposite the first surface. The compression/scanning assembly (1208) further comprises a transducer translation mechanism coupled to the ultrasound transducer (1304) and configured to sweep the ultrasound transducer across the second surface of the membrane to scan the breast while compressed in the generally chestward direction. Systemized and/or standardized ultrasonic scanning of a breast based on hand-manipulable scanners (1208, 1508) having substantially planar scanning surfaces is also described.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for imaging a tissue. In one example, a system comprises an adjustable arm, a scanning assembly attached to a first end of the adjustable arm, a counterweight coupled to a second end of the adjustable arm, and a weight adjustment system coupled to the counterweight and configured to modify an effective weight of the scanning assembly.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a removable transducer module having memory. In one example, a transducer module for an ultrasound imaging system comprises a casing configured to fit into a module receiver of the ultrasound imaging system, an array of transducer elements, and a non-transitory memory configured to store at least one of usage data and specification data for the transducer module.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample using a modular transducer system. In one example, a system for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample comprises: an adjustable arm; a scanning assembly attached to the adjustable arm, the scanning assembly including a housing configured to remain stationary during scanning and a module receiver that is configured to translate with respect to the housing during scanning; and a transducer module comprising a transducer array of transducer elements, wherein the transducer module is configured to be removably coupled with the module receiver in order to establish both a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the module receiver and the transducer module.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of retreating a viscous semi-solid dewatered sludge having a water content of 70-85%, which is characterized by comprising the steps of (1) adding a desiccant into said dewatered sludge, and stirring the resulting mixture to produce a mixed sludge having a water content of 50-60%; and (2) drying the mixed sludge to produce a dried granular sludge, which has a water content of 45% or less. The method of retreating the sludge of the present invention can decrease the treatment energy consumption, have a simple dry waste gas treatment, greatly reduce the cost for treating the sludge, accomplish the clean production and the sludge's innocuity, stabilization, minimization, and recycle.

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for facilitating volumetric ultrasonic scanning of a breast are described. In one preferred embodiment, a generally cone-shaped radial scanning template having a vertex and a wide opening angle is provided, the radial scanning template having a slot-like opening extending outward from the vertex through which an ultrasound transducer scans the breast as the radial scanning template is rotated. In another preferred embodiment, a flexible membrane for compressing a skin surface of the breast is provided, the flexible membrane being mounted on a mechanical assembly such as a roller assembly to form a slot-like opening through which an ultrasound transducer directly contacts the skin surface, the flexible membrane rising and falling relative to the skin surface but not moving laterally as the slot-like opening and ultrasound transducer move laterally across the compressed breast, whereby stabilization of the breast and direct transducer-skin contact are concurrently achieved.

Abstract: Automated ultrasonic scanning of a chestwardly compressed breast of a supine patient uses a scanning assembly that moves down to compress the breast through a membrane that is secured to the assembly across a bottom opening. A motorized ultrasound transducer moves across the breast while the breast remains downwardly compressed against the patient's chest, sending and receiving ultrasound energy through the membrane. The membrane is porous with respect to an acoustic coupling liquid that impregnates it. The transducer outputs ultrasound information that is processed to form initial planar images and then reconstructed slice images of breast tissue.

Abstract: A system and a method related to improving ultrasound examination of a patient, specifically of a patient's breast by sensing and controlling the pressure/force that an ultrasound probe and/or a compression/scanning assembly housing the probe exert on the breast and/or the chest wall of the patient.

Abstract: Acquiring, processing and presenting breast ultrasound information to a user is described. Breast tissue is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array to generate sonographic image information of the tissue in multiple angles using beamsteering techniques. Sonographic image information is stored in a storage system. One or more image selection buttons are provided that allow the viewer to select which angle or compound image should be displayed. In response to user input, sonographic images are displayed in the desired views, thereby facilitating analysis of the patient's breast tissue by the user. The sonographic image information can be processed real-time, in response to and according to user input. Image selection buttons are described which can soft buttons displayed to the user. The appearance of the soft button can change to indicate the type of image being displayed.

Abstract: Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus (1202) including a hand-manipulable compression/scanning assembly (1208). The compression/scanning assembly (1208) comprises an ultrasound transducer (1304) and a compressive member comprising an at least partially conformable membrane (1218) in a substantially taut state, the membrane (1218) having a first surface compressing the breast in a generally chestward direction and a second surface opposite the first surface. The compression/scanning assembly (1208) further comprises a transducer translation mechanism coupled to the ultrasound transducer (1304) and configured to sweep the ultrasound transducer across the second surface of the membrane to scan the breast while compressed in the generally chestward direction. Systemized and/or standardized ultrasonic scanning of a breast based on hand-manipulable scanners (1208, 1508) having substantially planar scanning surfaces is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for obtaining ultrasound images of a patient's breast that is chestwardly compressed with a template that is essentially planar and rotates relative to the breast while one or more ultrasound transducers moving with the template take 2D images of the breast through one or more respective radially oriented slots in the template, preferably through a membrane that is porous to a gel. The 2D images are processed into slice images representing breast slices of desired thicknesses and orientation that are displayed alone or with some of the 2D images, preferably pairs of orthogonally disposed 2D images.