Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1300) for operating a security tag (132). The methods involve: slidingly coupling a first engagement member (212) of the security tag to a first sidewall (208) forming a first right angle with a base (220) of an article; and extending a securement member (218) of the security tag across an exterior surface of the base of the article. A second engagement member (210) of the security tag is slidingly coupled to a second sidewall (206) opposed from the first sidewall and forming a second right angle with the base of the article. A length of the securement member is then decreased so as to place the securement member in a tensioned position whereby the security tag is secured to the article. The securement member can be locked in the tensioned position using a mechanical locking mechanism (222) of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500) for operating a security tag (132) of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods involving: attaching a clip (210) to a curved sidewall (202) of an article (102) such that a central body (304) of the security tag is vertically aligned with a central axis of the curved sidewall; maintaining the vertical alignment by locating first and second flanges (306, 502) of the security tag against respective opposing surface areas of the curved sidewall; wrapping a securement member (212) of the security tag around an elongate structure (204) of the article which is offset from the curved sidewall in at least one direction and which protrudes away from a main body (218) of the article; and locking the securement member in a position wrapped around the elongate structure of the article using a mechanical locking mechanism (214) of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1300) for operating a security tag (132). The methods involve: slidingly coupling a first engagement member (212) of the security tag to a first sidewall (208) forming a first right angle with a base (220) of an article; and extending a securement member (218) of the security tag across an exterior surface of the base of the article. A second engagement member (210) of the security tag is slidingly coupled to a second sidewall (206) opposed from the first sidewall and forming a second right angle with the base of the article. A length of the securement member is then decreased so as to place the securement member in a tensioned position whereby the security tag is secured to the article. The securement member can be locked in the tensioned position using a mechanical locking mechanism (222) of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1500) for operating a security tag (132) of an Electronic Article Surveillance (“EAS”) system. The methods involving: attaching a clip (210) to a curved sidewall (202) of an article (102) such that a central body (304) of the security tag is vertically aligned with a central axis of the curved sidewall; maintaining the vertical alignment by locating first and second flanges (306, 502) of the security tag against respective opposing surface areas of the curved sidewall; wrapping a securement member (212) of the security tag around an elongate structure (204) of the article which is offset from the curved sidewall in at least one direction and which protrudes away from a main body (218) of the article; and locking the securement member in a position wrapped around the elongate structure of the article using a mechanical locking mechanism (214) of the security tag.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1300) for operating a security tag (132). The methods involve: slidingly coupling a first engagement member (212) of the security tag to a first sidewall (208) forming a first right angle with a base (220) of an article; and extending a securement member (218) of the security tag across an exterior surface of the base of the article. A second engagement member (210) of the security tag is slidingly coupled to a second sidewall (206) opposed from the first sidewall and forming a second right angle with the base of the article. A length of the securement member is then decreased so as to place the securement member in a tensioned position whereby the security tag is secured to the article. The securement member can be locked in the tensioned position using a mechanical locking mechanism (222) of the security tag.

Abstract: An EAS tag is provided having improved anti-defeat devices and methods. A pin assembly is coupled to a lanyard and includes a reduced cross-sectional profile that may be passed through a monitored article to produce no damage or minimal damage to the monitored article. The pin assembly engages a spring clamp provided in the EAS tag and is electrically coupled to an intermediate spring contact that provides an electrical current to a PC board for arming the EAS tag. A force may be applied to the intermediate spring contact to generate a reset signal that disarms the EAS tag. An alarm signal is generated if current to the PC board is disrupted without a corresponding reset signal, such as if the pin assembly is removed without rotating the intermediate spring contact or if the lanyard is cut. The tag body is provided with an arcuate channel through which an arcuate detacher probe can be guided for releasing the attaching assembly part.

Abstract: A security device having a flexible material into which a product may be sealed and unauthorized removal of the product triggers a security alarm. The security device includes a flexible material adapted to house a product therein and is operable in a sealed orientation when the product is sealed within the flexible material and in an open orientation when the product is accessible from within the flexible material. Conductive material is affixed to the flexible material and forms a closed electrical circuit with an alarming device when the security device is in the sealed orientation and an open electrical circuit when the circuit is opened. The security alarm is triggered when the electrical circuit is opened.

Abstract: A system and method for partially pre-programming RFID labels. Common data associated with items to which RFID labels are to be applied is pre-programmed into the labels. Item specific data is programmed by a RFID label programmer in the application process.

Abstract: Techniques to apply a label to an object are described. In one embodiment, the label application system can include a magazine, an indexer, a separator, an applicator and an impressor. The magazine may hold one or more sets of contiguous labels. The indexer advances a label from the contiguous set of labels. The separator separates the label from the contiguous set of labels. The applicator may apply adhesive to the separated label or, alternatively, a substrate of the object. The impressor presses the label onto the desired object to complete the attachment process. In one embodiment the indexer is mechanically implemented. Alternatively, the indexer can receive control signals from a processor which control the movement of the indexer through the desired indexing positions.

Abstract: The invention is related to an RFID applicator that may include a peeler member (140) including a peel end (142), the peeler member being configured to cause an RFID label (102) to peel away from a web (110) when the web passes around the peel end; a label tamp assembly (150) configured to receive the RFID label and to move the RFID label into contact with an item (104) on which the RFID label is to be applied; and a label reject assembly having an extendable path altering mechanism (500) located proximate to said peel end, configured to advance from a retracted position to an extended position to alter a path of the web around said peel end, and wherein said extendable path altering mechanism is positioned and dimensioned to inhibit an RFID label from peeling away from said web.

Abstract: An EAS tag is provided having improved anti-defeat devices and methods. A pin assembly is coupled to a lanyard and includes a reduced cross-sectional profile that may be passed through a monitored article to produce no damage or minimal damage to the monitored article. The pin assembly engages a spring clamp provided in the EAS tag and is electrically coupled to an intermediate spring contact that provides an electrical current to a PC board for arming the EAS tag. A force may be applied to the intermediate spring contact to generate a reset signal that disarms the EAS tag. An alarm signal is generated if current to the PC board is disrupted without a corresponding reset signal, such as if the pin assembly is removed without rotating the intermediate spring contact or if the lanyard is cut. The tag body is provided with an arcuate channel through which an arcuate detacher probe can be guided for releasing the attaching assembly part.

Abstract: A system and method for partially pre-programming RFID labels. Common data associated with items to which RFID labels are to be applied is pre-programmed into the labels. Item specific data is programmed by a RFID label programmer in the application process.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for irradiating a target includes a radiation source (12) for generating a radiation beam and a multiple leaf beam adjuster (16) for collimating and adjusting the shape of the radiation beam from the radiation source (12) that would be projected on the target. An image detector (17) detects generates an image signal of the target. In response to the image signal, a control module (18) generate a beam adjustment signal for controlling the beam adjuster (16), thereby enabling the radiation beam from the radiation source (12) to track the movement of the target.

Abstract: Techniques to apply a label to an object are described.

Abstract: Brachytherapy is carried out with a needle to inject a radioactive seed into a patient's body. A space-fixed detector detects radiation from radiation emitters to determine the position of a deposited seed from the needle with reference to a space-fixed coordinate system. Markers may be affixed to the patient's body such that a body-fixed coordinate system can be determined in real time by an imaging device. Alternatively, earlier obtained patient's anatomical data may be referenced. After positions of earlier injected seeds are thus ascertained in real time in the body-fixed coordinate system, the stored anatomical data may be updated and a radiation dose distribution can be calculated from the determined seed positions. The calculated radiation dose distribution can be displayed and compared with a planned distribution.

Abstract: Techniques to apply a label to an object are described.

Abstract: A brachytherapy apparatus is composed of a tubular needle with forwardly protruding cutting edges at its tip, a holder supporting the needle and a driver for electromechanically causing the needle to undergo a continuous or oscillatory rotary motion around its axis and/or a reciprocating linear motion in the longitudinal direction such that its front opening at its tip can reliably reach a specified position inside a patient's tissue without being deflected or bowing when it encounters an obstruction such as a calcification or a small bone. Such motions may be provided by a piezoelectric hammer and a piezoelectric tamper. After the needle is thus correctly positioned, a brachytherapy device such as a radioactive seed or a reflector may be pushed through and out of the needle by means of a pusher as the needle is retracted to leave a track inside the tissue. A quickly hardening liquid may be thereafter injected through the needle to immobilize the deposited brachytherapy device.

Abstract: Brachytherapy is carried out with an injection device with a needle to inject a radioactive seed into a patient's body. The injection device has not only a thruster for thrusting the needle straight to a selected target position inside the patient's body, but also a load cell which measures the resistance force encountering the needle and a deflection detector which detects a bent condition of the needle, as well as a drill device and a tamper for causing the needle to undergo rotary and linear reciprocating motions. The mode of thrusting the needle and the motions by the drill device and the tamper are modified according to the force detected by the load cell and any output signal from the deflection detector such that it can be ensured that the needle will dependably reach the target position without undergoing deflection or bowing.

Abstract: A brachytherapy apparatus is composed of a tubular needle with forwardly protruding cutting edges at its tip, a holder supporting the needle and a driver for electromechanically causing the needle to undergo a continuous or oscillatory rotary motion around its axis and/or a reciprocating linear motion in the longitudinal direction such that its front opening at its tip can reliably reach a specified position inside a patient's tissue without being deflected or bowing when it encounters an obstruction such as a calcification or a small bone. Such motions may be provided by a piezoelectric hammer and a piezoelectric tamper. After the needle is thus correctly positioned, a brachytherapy device such as a radioactive seed or a reflector may be pushed through and out of the needle by means of a pusher as the needle is retracted to leave a track inside the tissue. A quickly hardening liquid may be thereafter injected through the needle to immobilize the deposited brachytherapy device.

Abstract: A glasses frame is provided including a pair of opposite end temples pivotally supported therefrom for swinging movement between use positions extending rearwardly of the frame and folded positions swung inwardly into position generally paralleling and disposed rearwardly of the rear side of the frame. Rigid adjustable abutment structure is operably connected between each temple and the corresponding frame end spaced along the temple from its pivot axis of swinging movement toward the free end of the temple for positively adjustably limiting swinging movement of the temple to the use position thereof, the temples being constructed of stiff, but flexibly resilient material. The use of positive adjustable limit stops in conjunction with stiff, but flexibly resilient and bendable temples enables equal side pressure to be exerted upon the opposite sides of the head of the user by the temples while still enabling the frame to be square with the face of the user.