Abstract: A data logger device for monitoring operation of a flexible lance drive apparatus is disclosed that includes a cylindrical housing removably connected to an air fluid pressure line to the drive apparatus, a circuit board mounted in the housing, a pressure sensing switch mounted on the circuit board and communicating with the fluid in the pressure line, and a processor and memory on the board operable to log time at which the switch changes state between two predetermined states.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning lance safety apparatus is described as including a tripod support structure located close to an opening into an object to be cleaned. A flexible lance drive is fastened to the support structure for driving a high pressure fluid through a lance to the object to be cleaned. A snout tube is connected between the lance drive and an opening into the object to be cleaned. One or more micro pressure valves on each leg of the tripod support structure is operative to sense a predetermined force applied between the support structure and a support surface supporting the tripod support structure. When the predetermined force is sensed this causes the high pressure fluid to be diverted from the lance and the object to be cleaned to atmosphere.

Abstract: A system and an apparatus for positioning a plurality of flexible cleaning lances includes a frame removably fastened parallel a tube sheet of a heat exchanger. The apparatus includes a smart lance tractor drive for advancing and retracting one or more lance hoses through one or more lance guide tubes into tubes penetrating through the heat exchanger tube sheet, a controller, one or more AC induction sensors on the tubes operable to sense holes in the tube sheet, and a tumble box connected to the controller operable to generate electrical power to the AC induction sensor from an air pressure source, supply electrical power to the controller and distribute pneumatic power to pneumatic motors for positioning the tractor drive on the positioner frame. The tractor drive includes sensors for detection of mismatch between expected and actual lance positions and automated drive reversal operation to remove blockages within tubes being cleaned.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly comprises a hollow nozzle body having a central bore and a plurality of ports extending through the body from the central bore; and a switching valve assembly disposed in the central bore that directs fluid flow to ports upon application of fluid flow above a predetermined threshold to the inlet and direct fluid flow to different ports upon fluid flow having subsequently dropped below the predetermined threshold and then exceeding the predetermined threshold. The assembly comprises a cylindrical poppet slidably disposed within the central bore, a guide between the nozzle body and the poppet, and a biasing member within the cartridge case between the front portion of the nozzle body and the poppet urging the poppet away from the front portion of the cartridge case.

Abstract: A speed retarding device for a rotary nozzle includes a hollow cylindrical housing and a rotatable tubular shaft rotatably carried by the housing. The shaft has a central axial bore and an enlarged drag sleeve portion carried in the housing. A pair of support bearings support the drag sleeve portion of the shaft in the housing. An annular inner seal between each of the support bearings and the drag sleeve portion defines a cavity within the housing receiving a viscous fluid confined within the cavity. The drag sleeve portion includes a peripheral helical groove and a plurality of axial bores extending therethrough parallel to the central bore, one or more blind axial bores each having a closed end an open end, and a piston disposed in each of the one or more blind axial bores each defining an air space between the closed end and the piston.

Abstract: A joint is formed between first and second workpieces. The first workpiece defines a cavity, while the second workpiece includes a shear member. The shear member is at least partially inserted into the cavity to secure the first workpiece to the second workpiece. One of the workpieces has a lower hardness and/or shear strength than the other workpiece and includes at least one shear tab with a base portion and an end portion. In inserting the shear member into the cavity, the end portion of the shear tab is broken away from the base portion, leaving the base portion to extend between the cavity and the shear member, thereby securing the first workpiece to the second workpiece.

Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.

Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method enable the automatic acquisition of standard view planes of the heart in real time, such as the AP4, AP3, and AP2 views. A 3D image of the heart is acquired and the processed in conjunction with a geometrical heart model. The heart model is fitted to the heart in its acquired pose to segment the desired image planes from the 3D image data. During successive image acquisition intervals the image planes are tracked through successive image data as a multi-plane system to update a display of the multiple images. The successive image acquisitions can be volume image acquisitions or multi-plane acquisitions of just the tracked image planes during each acquisition interval.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system produces more diagnostic cardiac images of the left ventricle by plotting the longitudinal medial axis of the chamber between the apex and mitral valve plane as a curved line evenly spaced between the opposite walls of the myocardium. Transverse image planes are positioned orthogonal to the curved medial axis with control points positioned in the short axis view on lines evenly spaced around and emanating from the medial axis. If the short axis view is of an oval shaped chamber the transverse image is stretched to give the heart a more rounded appearance resulting in better positioning of editing control points.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method enable the automatic acquisition of standard view planes of the heart in real time, such as the AP4, AP3, and AP2 views. A 3D image of the heart is acquired and the processed in conjunction with a geometrical heart model. The heart model is fitted to the heart in its acquired pose to segment the desired image planes from the 3D image data. During successive image acquisition intervals the image planes are tracked through successive image data as multi-plane system to update a display of the multiple images. The successive image acquisitions can be volume image acquisitions or multi-plane acquisitions of just the tracked image planes during each acquisition interval.

Abstract: A speed retarding device for a rotary nozzle includes a hollow cylindrical housing and a rotatable tubular shaft rotatably carried by the housing. The shaft has an enlarged drag sleeve portion carried in the housing and a shaft end extending through at least one end of the housing to receive a rotary nozzle thereon. A pair of support bearings support the drag sleeve portion of the shaft in the housing. An annular inner seal between each of the support bearings and the drag sleeve portion defines a cavity within the housing receiving a viscous fluid confined within the cavity. The support bearings are separated from the cavity confining the viscous fluid and an outer annular seal on the shaft adjacent each support bearing prevents environmental contamination such as water and debris from entry into the support bearings.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a user control by which a user positions the user's selection of a heart chamber border in relation to two myocardial boundaries identified by a deformable heart model. The user's border is positioned by a single degree of freedom control which positions the border as a function of a single user- determined value. This overcomes the vagaries of machine-drawn borders and their mixed acceptance by clinicians, who can now create repeatably-drawn borders and exchange the control value for use by others to obtain the same results.

Abstract: A compact flexible lance propelling apparatus is disclosed that is mountable on a pipe end. The apparatus includes a drive mechanism, an adaptable support that can be fastened directly to the pipe end which carries the drive mechanism, a remote control console, and a hose take-up drum spaced from the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a driven roller and a follower roller sandwiching the flexible lance hose therebetween and a rotary cam lift mechanism for linearly raising the follower roller to permit insertion of the flexible lance hose and lowering the follower roller against the driven roller.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a user control by which a user positions the user's selection of a heart chamber border in relation to two machine-drawn heart chamber tracings. The user's border is positioned by a single degree of freedom control which positions the border as a function of a single user-determined value. This overcomes the vagaries of machine-drawn borders and their mixed acceptance by clinicians, who can now create repeatably-drawn borders and exchange the control value for use by others to obtain the same results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting sensor wiring faults. A difference is determined between a high voltage and a low voltage. The high voltage and the low voltage are both related to a sensor that includes a high-voltage wire and a low-voltage wire. A determination is made whether the difference has dropped based on a low-voltage threshold. After determining that the difference has dropped, a fault in the high-voltage wire is indicated. A determination is made whether the difference has risen based on a high-voltage threshold, where the low-voltage threshold is less than the high-voltage threshold. After determining that the difference has risen, a fault in the low-voltage wire is indicated.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging device (10) configured to acquire an image in a multi-beat acquisition mode. A quality scoring module (115) is stored in memory and is configured to evaluate changes in the image between portions of a multi-beat cycle to compute a quality score (136) indicating a suitability of the image. A display (118) is included for viewing the image and displaying the quality score as real-time feedback for the image.

Abstract: A flexible cleaning lance safety apparatus is described as including a tripod support structure located close to an opening into an object to be cleaned. A flexible lance drive is fastened to the support structure for driving a high pressure fluid through a lance to the object to be cleaned. A snout tube is connected between the lance drive and an opening into the object to be cleaned. One or more micro pressure valves on each leg of the tripod support structure is operative to sense a predetermined force applied between the support structure and a support surface supporting the tripod support structure. When the predetermined force is sensed this causes the high pressure fluid to be diverted from the lance and the object to be cleaned to atmosphere.

Abstract: A system for providing navigational guidance to a sonographer acquiring images is disclosed. The system may providehaptic feedback to the sonographer. The haptic feedback may be provided through an ultrasonic probe or a separate device. Haptic feedback may include vibrations or other sensations provided to the sonographer. The system may analyze acquired images and determine the location of acquisition and compare it to a desired image and a location for obtaining the desired image. The system may calculate the location for obtaining the desired image based, at least in part, on the acquired image. The system may then provide the haptic feedback to guide the sonographer to move the ultrasonic probe to the location to acquire the desired image.