Abstract: A delivery system for deploying a medical implant includes a delivery wire assembly disposed within a delivery catheter lumen, the assembly having an implant loading region configured for seating the implant when the assembly is constrained within the delivery catheter lumen and the implant is in a compressed configuration, the assembly further including an implant distal protection having a central portion coupled to the assembly, distal of the implant loading region, and a peripheral portion extending proximally from the central portion to at least partially cover a distal end portion of the implant when the assembly, implant and distal protection are constrained within the catheter lumen, wherein the peripheral portion remains extending in the proximal direction when the implant assumes an expanded configuration after being released from the catheter lumen, and the peripheral portion of the distal protection comprises a plurality of stems, each comprising a respective petal-like member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional images using a level graph are provided. The level graph is accessed, comprising a first node, a second node, and a target node. The second and target nodes are descendants of the first node. The first node comprises first scene description data, the second node comprises first variation data, and the target node comprises second variation data. The target node is selected for computation. Target node ancestors are determined. The first node and the second node are ancestors of the target node. A linearization of the ancestors is determined, comprising an order. A scene description is initialized using the first scene description data. The first variation is applied to the scene description, based on the linearization. The second variation is applied to the scene description to produce a final scene description. An image is rendered using the final scene description.

Abstract: In the field of computer graphics and more specifically computer implemented animation, two known alternative methods for rendering objects which have volume (fire, smoke, clouds, etc.) are ray marching and splatting (i.e. particle-based rendering). These methods have contrasting strengths and weaknesses. The present volume rendering method and associated apparatus combine these methods, drawing on the strengths of each. The ray marches a volume but, rather than merely accumulating the samples along the ray, a distinct particle is generated for each sample. Each particle captures the volume's local attributes. The particles are then rendered through splatting. Thus the method has the strengths of splatting e.g., fast 3D motion blur and hardware rendering, and the strengths of ray marching e.g., volume sampling density corresponds with camera proximity since rays disperse, thereby focusing computer processing time on important volume detail and minimizing noise.

Abstract: A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: A contrast media injection system includes detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide visual feedback on operation through the illumination. Analog Hall-Effect sensors are used to determine the presence or absence of magnets that identify the type of faceplate being used. The faceplates include control electronics, connected to the powerhead through connectors, which may be interchangeably used by the two faceplates. The faceplate electronics include detectors for automatically detecting the capacity of pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: A method of enhanced tandem communication is provided between at least a first portion of a network suitable for voice communications and a second portion of a network suitable for voice communications. In an embodiment of the present invention, two representations of an encoded signal are transmitted from the first portion of a network, the encoded signal produced by a codec of the first portion of a network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of tandem communication between at least a first portion of a network suitable for voice communications and a second portion of a network suitable for voice communications. In an embodiment of the present invention, a common data format is applied to an encoded signal produced by a codec of the first portion of a network. Upon application, the common data format comprises quantised parameters of the encoded signal and descriptors characterising the coding scheme of the first codec.

Abstract: A method of assigning an access mechanism for the transmission of data comprises classifying a plurality of components of the data and assigning these individually to a particular access mechanism according to the suitability of the access mechanism in relation to a particular parameter or set of parameters of the data component by which it is clasified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables selection a communication system when a user of a mobile unit is away from a home system to which it is registered. According to one novel aspect, the visited communication system broadcasts (402) a list of standardized type services including tariff information, which is used by the mobile unit to select a system. According to another novel aspect, the mobile initiates an outgoing call of a non-standardised type service by accessing (502) a candidate system and informing it of the location of the home network and desired service identifier. The candidate system obtains (504) the service information on this service from the home network, and then provides (546) a quotation for a required service. Also, a communication system according to the present invention minimises incoming call costs to the user wherein the home system polls (606) the communication systems within range of the mobile unit to select the best system to provide service.