Abstract: Mobile management method, system and client. Method includes receiving a DNS query for a host name from an application on client; retrieving reputation data associated with host name from a local cache on client; and determining a policy based on host name and the reputation data. Based on determined policy for the host name, blocking attempted network flows to a host corresponding to host name to produce blocked attempted network flows. Method also includes sending attempted network flow metadata related to the blocked attempted network flows to a collector on client; transmitting the attempted network flow metadata from the collector to a VPN server pool via a VPN tunnel; and producing an anomaly report from the transmitted attempted network flow metadata. The anomaly report includes at least one of anomalies, cohorts, trends, location boundaries, detected network security issues, detected compromised clients and/or optimized network usage.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for performing scanning spectral tomographic reconstruction of an object. The imaging system includes a power source that is configured to provide an alternating high voltage. The imaging system includes an X-ray source. The X-ray source includes an array of X-ray emitters that allow fast switching “ON” and “OFF” using a grid electrode. The source is configured to generate an X-ray beam with an energy spectrum based on the alternating high voltage and uses X-ray filters. The imaging system includes a controller configured to operate synchronously with the alternating high voltage. The controller is also configured to drive an actuator to position the X-ray source with respect to an object and drive the source in a pre-defined trajectory about the object. At each position in the trajectory, the controller is configured to control the exposure timing of the emitters based on a predefined firing pattern.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for performing spectral tomographic reconstruction of an object. The imaging system includes a power source that is configured to provide a variable high voltage. The imaging system includes a distributed X-ray source. The distributed X-ray source includes an array of X-ray emitters that allows fast switching “ON” and “OFF” using X-ray emitter grid electrode. The distributed X-ray sources is configured to generate an X-ray beam with an energy spectrum based on the variable high voltage and uses additional X-ray filters. The imaging system includes a controller. The controller is configured to operate synchronously with the change of the variable high voltage. The controller is configured to control a timing of when to engage an X-ray emitter of the array of X-ray emitters of the distributed X-ray source based on a predefined firing pattern.

Abstract: G.E. DOCKET NUMBER 15-DS-00536A system and method for measuring a position of an imaging element located within a scanhead of an imaging probe, such as transesophageal ultrasound probe, is provided. The imaging probe may be used in a medical imaging system and/or a three-dimensional imaging system. The probe includes an articulating portion having a scanhead. The scanhead includes an imaging element, such as a transducer, and a position sensor positioned within the scanhead. Preferably, the position sensor is connected to the imaging element via an axle. Therefore, the rotation of the position sensor is synchronized to the rotation of the imaging element. The location of the position sensor within the imaging element provides accurate measurement of the position of the imaging element. The position sensor preferably includes a code disk having apertures and a system of light emitters and detectors.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a position of an imaging element located within a scanhead of an imaging probe, such as transesophageal ultrasound probe, is provided. The imaging probe may be used in a medical imaging system and/or a three-dimensional imaging system. The probe includes an articulating portion having a scanhead. The scanhead includes an imaging element, such as a transducer, and a position sensor positioned within the scanhead. Preferably, the position sensor is connected to the imaging element via an axle. Therefore, the rotation of the position sensor is synchronized to the rotation of the imaging element. The location of the position sensor within the imaging element provides accurate measurement of the position of the imaging element. The position sensor preferably includes a code disk having apertures and a system of light emitters and detectors.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for compensating for fully or partially inoperative elements in an ultrasonic transducer array. The inoperative elements are compensated for by "bridging" or "shorting" them to fully operative elements. This compensation technique can be applied to one-dimensional or multi-dimensional transducer arrays. A bridge between a fully or partially inoperative element and an adjacent fully operative element can be achieved by physically shorting the elements somewhere in the signal chain or by electrically connecting the elements via switches, e.g., of a multiplexer. The state of the multiplexer switches (i.e., open or closed) is controlled by loading MUX State control data into a flash memory located on-board the probe. This MUX State control data includes switch settings for connecting a defective element to an adjacent fully functional element in the transducer array.

Abstract: A system for connecting a transducer array to a coaxial cable. A fanout flex circuit is electrically connected to the coaxial cable, to form one subassembly, and a transducer flex circuit is incorporated into a transducer stack in electrical connection with the transducer array, to form another subassembly. The fanout flex circuit has a row of terminals of first linear pitch at one end and a row of terminals of second linear pitch, less than the first linear pitch, at the other end. The terminals of first linear pitch are electrically connected to the wires of the coaxial cable. The terminals of second linear pitch are electrically connected to a row of free terminals of the same linear pitch on the transducer flex circuit. A layer of pressure-activated conductive adhesive is applied on one row of terminals and then the other row of terminals is pressed against the adhesive-coated row.

Abstract: A device for improving thermal transfer inside an ultrasound probe and reducing heat build-up near the transducer face. The cable components are used as heat conductors which conduct heat out of the probe handle. These heat pipes are coupled to an internal heat conductor which is in heat conductive relationship with the transducer pallet. Thus, heat generated by the transducer array can be transferred, via the internal heat conductor plate and the cable heat conductors, away from the probe surface which contacts the patient. A heat conductive structure can be embedded in the overall shield braid of the cable. Suitable heat conductive structures include thread or wire made of material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, as well as narrow tubing filled with heat conductive fluid. Alternatively, inlet and return flow paths for cooling fluid are incorporated in the cable.

Abstract: An integral yoke/transducer connector has built-in probe switches for detecting when a transducer probe has been removed from its yoke. Based on the status of the probe switch and other feedback information, a system controller activates the out-of-holder probe if it has priority. In this manner, a probe can be automatically activated when it is lifted out of its yoke, thereby eliminating the need to trace a desired probe to its connector/port via the cable. Once a probe/port is auto-selected, it remains the only active probe/port until the probe is placed back in the yoke (or its transducer connector is disconnected from the port on the imaging unit). Placement of the probe in its corresponding yoke opens the probe switch which is built into the yoke/connector assembly.

Abstract: A compound lens for focusing ultrasound emitted from an ultrasound probe having an array of piezoelectric transducer elements. The compound lens has an inner lens part with a convex cylindrical front face and a rear face which is acoustically coupled to the front face of the transducer array, and an outer lens part with a concave cylindrical rear face which is acoustically coupled to the convex cylindrical front face of the inner lens part. The inner lens part may be in the form of a conventional silicone rubber focusing lens. The outer lens part is made of an acoustic medium having a higher acoustic velocity and greater durability than silicone rubber, e.g., polymethylpentene, nylon and high-density polyethylene. Also the outer lens part has greater chemical resistance than silicone rubber.

Abstract: A monolithic transducer array case having a bottom wall which is suitable for use as an acoustic impedance matching layer in an ultrasonic transducer. The array case is made from electrically conductive material having an acoustic impedance less than the acoustic impedance of piezoelectric ceramic. The preferred material is copper-impregnated graphite.

Abstract: A programmable probe multiplexer which can be reconfigured for use with multiple imaging systems having different channel counts. The probe uses a system code that informs the multiplexer of the number of channels on the system to which it is connected. The multiplexer hardware in turn adjusts the program or channel map to reconfigure the probe to accommodate the system. In particular, the probe can sense the presence of a system type and then reconfigure and optimize performance automatically, or the probe can be reprogrammed by the system, allowing great flexibility in the design and optimization of imaging parameters. The probe supports this concept through the use of a series of programmable switches and the appropriate logic to assign input channels to output channels.

Abstract: A system and process for electrically connecting all elements in a transducer array from one side. A flat block of piezoelectric ceramic material is patterned and drilled with a high-powered laser. The drilling is precisely controlled to define a series of vias which penetrate the ceramic block in the thickness direction. These vias facilitate electrical connection from one side of the ceramic block to the other side when the vias are sputtered or plated with electrically conductive material. In this way the electrodes on the front face of the transducer elements can be electrically connected from the rear to common ground or a signal source.

Abstract: An adhesion system specifically designed to achieve a good-quality adhesive bond between a silicone rubber lens and a plastic matching layer of an ultrasonic transducer. The adhesion system includes a layer of conventional silicone adhesive applied on the silicone rubber lens and a layer of dichloro-di-p-xylylene residing between the silicone adhesive and the plastic matching layer. The layer of dichloro-di-p-xylylene is adhered to the silicone adhesive via a silicone primer and is adhered to the plastic matching layer via a silane primer. The layer of dichloro-di-p-xylylene provides adhesion promotion, a chemical barrier to protect the transducer array from the external environment and an electrical barrier to help protect the patient from the electrically alive transducer elements, without any adverse effect on the acoustic transmission characteristics of the transducer stack.

Abstract: An omnidirectional ultrasonic probe, having specific application for connection to the distal end of an esophageal catheter, includes a support member upon which are coaxially mounted a transmitter member, a receiver member, and one or more acoustic reflector members. The acoustic reflector member or members reflect transmissions and receptions of ultrasonic signals along substantially parallel paths. The reflector members also provide omnidirectional reflection. Separate transmitter and receiver members are used in the preferred embodiments to facilitate continuous wave operation.