Abstract: A method for guiding implantation of a first prosthetic component includes determining, using a virtual model of a joint including first and second bones, a planned orientation of the first prosthetic component in the joint, applying a valgus/varus moment to the joint at a plurality of flexion positions of the joint, and recording positional data indicative of relative positions of the first bone and the second bone at the plurality of flexion positions of the joint. The method also includes calculating estimated separation distances between the first prosthetic component and a second prosthetic component, adjusting the planned orientation of the first prosthetic component in the joint in response to an error between the estimated separation distances and one or more desired separation distances, and guiding implantation of the first prosthetic component on the first bone in accordance with the adjusted planned orientation of the first prosthetic component.

Abstract: The rotatable anode of a rotating anode X-ray source has demanding requirements placed upon it. For example, it may rotate at a frequency as high as 200 Hz. X-ray emission is stimulated by applying a large voltage to the cathode, causing electrons to collide with the focal track. The focal spot generated at the electron impact position may have a peak temperature between 2000° C. and 3000° C. The constant rotation of the rotating anode protects the focal track to some extent, however the average temperature of the focal track immediately following a CT acquisition protocol may still be around 1500° C. Therefore, demanding requirements are placed upon the design of the rotating anode. The present application proposes a multi-layer coating for the target region of a rotating X-ray anode which improves mechanical resilience and thermal resilience, whilst reducing the amount of expensive refractory metals required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment device for a surface to be treated using a dialectically impeded plasma, comprising a housing (1) which has an end wall (14, 14?) and comprising an electrode (18, 33) which is shielded from the surface to be treated by a dielectricum (19, 34) that forms at least one part of the end wall (14, 14?) and which can be connected to a high-voltage generator (17). The end wall (14, 14?) has at least one spacer (29, 29?) by means of which at least one gas chamber is formed when the at least one spacer (29, 29?) rests against the surface to be treated, and the dialectically impeded plasma is formed in the gas chamber for the treatment process.

Abstract: Methods are provided for permitting manipulation of an achievable dose distribution estimate deliverable by a radiation delivery apparatus for proposed treatment of a subject. One such method comprises: determining a dose modification voxel for which it is desired to modify the dose value and a corresponding magnitude of desired dose modification; for each of a plurality of beams: (i) characterizing the beam as a two-dimensional array of beamlets, wherein each beamlet is associated with a corresponding intensity value and a ray line representing the projection of the beamlet into space; and (ii) identifying one or more dose-change beamlets which have associated ray lines that intersect the dose modification voxel; modifying the intensity values of at least one of the dose-change beamlets; and updating the achievable dose distribution estimate to account for the modified intensity values of the at least one of the dose-change beamlets.

Abstract: A robotic surgery system includes a robotic manipulator and a cutting guide to be coupled to the robotic manipulator. The cutting guide is configured to guide a cutting tool so that the cutting tool cuts tissue of the patient. A control system is coupled to the robotic manipulator to control a location of the cutting guide and/or the cutting tool relative to the tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating X-rays. It is described to produce (210) with a power supply (40) at least two voltages between at least one cathode (20) and an anode (30), wherein the at least two voltages comprises a first voltage and a second voltage. The at least one cathode is positioned relative to the anode. Electrons are emitted (220) from the at least one cathode. Electrons emitted from the at least one cathode are interacted (230) with the anode with energies corresponding to the at least two voltages. X-rays are generated (230) from the anode, wherein the electrons interact with the anode to generate the X-rays. First X-rays are generated when the power supply produces the first voltage and second X-rays are generated when the power supply produces the second voltage. The power supply is controlled (250), such that a ratio between the first X-rays and the second X-rays is controllable.

Abstract: Methods are provided for permitting manipulation of an achievable dose distribution estimate deliverable by a radiation delivery apparatus for proposed treatment of a subject. One such method comprises: determining a dose modification voxel for which it is desired to modify the dose value and a corresponding magnitude of desired dose modification; for each of a plurality of beams: (i) characterizing the beam as a two-dimensional array of beamlets, wherein each beamlet is associated with a corresponding intensity value and a ray line representing the projection of the beamlet into space; and (ii) identifying one or more dose-change beamlets which have associated ray lines that intersect the dose modification voxel; modifying the intensity values of at least one of the dose-change beamlets; and updating the achievable dose distribution estimate to account for the modified intensity values of the at least one of the dose-change beamlets.

Abstract: A method for guiding implantation of a first prosthetic component includes determining, using a virtual model of a joint including first and second bones, a planned orientation of the first prosthetic component in the joint, applying a valgus/varus moment to the joint at a plurality of flexion positions of the joint, and recording positional data indicative of relative positions of the first bone and the second bone at the plurality of flexion positions of the joint. The method also includes calculating estimated separation distances between the first prosthetic component and a second prosthetic component, adjusting the planned orientation of the first prosthetic component in the joint in response to an error between the estimated separation distances and one or more desired separation distances, and guiding implantation of the first prosthetic component on the first bone in accordance with the adjusted planned orientation of the first prosthetic component.

Abstract: A plasma treatment unit having a high-voltage stage (5, 6), arranged in a housing, for generating high-voltage signals suitable for the generation of a plasma, and having a head part (2) which is connectable to the high-voltage stage (5, 6) and in which there is situated an electrode arrangement (13) shielded by a dielectric (9), is suitable for plasma treatments in particular in the body interior by virtue of the fact that the head part (2) has an elongate transition piece (10) which is attachable to the housing and on that end of which which is not connectable to the housing there is arranged a treatment head (16, 16?), the dimensions of which perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the transition piece (10) greatly exceed the dimensions of the transition piece (10), and that, in the treatment head (16, 16?), the electrode arrangement (13) forms a spatially closed flexible sheath (12) around a resiliently elastic core (14) and is covered at its outer lateral surface by a thin layer (15) of the flexib

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode array for a dielectrically impeded plasma treatment of a surface of a body, comprising at least one flexible flat electrode (1) and one dielectric (2) consisting of a flat flexible first material which protects the electrode (1) from the surface to be treated, with a layer (3) impeding a direct current flow. The dielectric (2) can lie on the surface to be treated, above a structure (4) with projections (7), air spaces (5) being formed between the projections (7) for the creation of the plasma, which have a side open towards the surface to be treated, and a bottom-side closure as a result of the layer (3) impeding the direct current flow. The structure (4) comprises a plurality of spacer elements (6) consisting of a second material that has less flexibility than the first material, and the projections (7) of the structure (4) are partially or completely formed by the spacer elements (6).

Abstract: A first set of records and a second set of records different from the first set of records are obtained. A score that indicates indicating confidence that the first set of records and the second set of records correspond to a same individual is computed. As a result of the score reaching a value relative to a threshold, a device of an individual associated with the second set of records is caused to prompt the individual to confirm control of a first asset identified by first data within the first set of records. A message to a destination associated with the first asset is provided. As a result of a response to the message indicating that the individual is the same individual, an association between the second set of records and the first asset is stored and the device is caused to display details about the first and second sets of records.

Abstract: A flat pad structure, designed to generate a dielectric barrier discharge plasma on a contact side (109) of said pad structure, comprises a flat electrode arrangement (112) which is embedded in a flat dielectric (102), can be supplied with high-voltage signals and is shielded on all sides against an unimpeded current flow; said pad structure has better stability and can be better adapted to elongate treatment areas because a width of the structure extends in a longitudinal direction (L) and in the longitudinal direction (L) the structure has a plurality of identically structured portions (101), each with a dielectric portion in the width of the pad structure and each with at least one electrode portion; the electrode portions of said portions (101) adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction (L) and form an electrode arrangement (112) extending over the entire length such that, in order to reduce the size of the contact surface in the longitudinal direction (L), at least one portion (101) can be separate

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for planning and delivering radiation treatments by modalities which involve moving a radiation source along a trajectory relative to a subject while delivering radiation to the subject. In some embodiments the radiation source is moved continuously along the trajectory while in some embodiments the radiation source is moved intermittently. Some embodiments involve the optimization of the radiation delivery plan to meet various optimization goals while meeting a number of constraints. For each of a number of control points along a trajectory, a radiation delivery plan may comprise: a set of motion axes parameters, a set of beam shape parameters and a beam intensity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma treatment device for carrying out a dielectric barrier plasma discharge, comprising an electrode unit (1), which has a treatment side (5), and comprising a supply unit (10), to which the electrode unit (1) can be mechanically connected and by means of which the electrode unit can be brought into electrical contact in order to be supplied with a supply voltage necessary for the plasma generation, wherein the electrode unit (1) has an electrode arrangement, which is shielded by means of a planar dielectric (2) at least toward the treatment side (5), enables the use of different electrode units (1) with the same supply unit (10) in that the electrode unit (1) has a coding and the supply unit (10) has an identifying device for the coding and the identifying device is connected to a control device, which controls the supply voltage for the plasma generation in accordance with the identified coding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for imaging an object. It is described to position (210) an X-ray detector relative to at least one X-ray source such that at least a part of a region between the at least one X-ray source and the X-ray detector is an examination region for accommodating an object. In a first mode of operation, with the at least one X-ray source a first focal spot is produced (220), such that at least some first X-rays produced at the first focal spot pass through a first grating of an interferometer arrangement, the first grating positioned at a first position, and such that the at least some first X-rays pass through a second grating of the interferometer arrangement, the second grating positioned at a second position. In the first mode of operation, the at least some first X-rays are detected (230) with the X-ray detector at a detector position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for generating X-rays. It is described to produce (210) with at least one power supply (40) a voltage between a cathode (20) and an anode (30). The cathode is positioned relative to the anode, and the cathode and anode are operable such that electrons emitted from the cathode interact with the anode with energies corresponding to the voltage, and wherein the electrons interact with the anode at a focal spot to generate X-rays. The at least one power supply provides (220) the cathode with a cathode current. An electron detector (50) is positioned (230) relative to the anode, and a backscatter electron signal is measured (240) from the anode. The measured backscatter electron signal is provided (250) to a processing unit (60).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines an orientation parameter value of a prosthetic component. The method includes receiving a first desired separation distance between a first prosthetic component and a second prosthetic component at a first flexion position of a flexion joint and estimating a first estimated separation distance between the first prosthetic component and the second prosthetic component at the first flexion position of the joint for at least one potential orientation of the first prosthetic component. The method also includes determining a first orientation parameter value of the first prosthetic component by comparing the first estimated separation distance to the first desired separation distance and outputting the first orientation parameter value via a user interface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining an effective energy spectrum of an X-ray tube. It is described to provide (210) a temporally varying acceleration voltage of an X-ray tube for a time period. A temporally varying X-ray tube current is also provided (220) for the time period. At least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and a time interval is determined (230). An effective energy spectrum of the X-ray tube processing the X-ray tube is determined (250) as a function of the at least one product of the temporally varying X-ray tube current and the time interval and as a function of the voltage of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An X-ray source (10) for generating X-rays (11) is provided. The X-ray source (10) comprises an emitter arrangement (12) for generating electrons or for generating X-rays, at least one feedthrough (38) for supplying electrical power to the emitter arrangement (12), and an insulator (20) configured for isolating an electrical potential of the at least one feedthrough (38) from a ground potential. Therein, the at least one feedthrough (38) extends at least partly through the insulator (20), and at least a part of the insulator (20) is in thermal contact with at least a part of the emitter arrangement (12). Further, the insulator (20) comprises at least one cooling channel (28) formed completely in an interior volume (25) of the insulator (20) and configured to dissipate heat from the emitter arrangement (12), wherein a distance (29) between an outer surface (26) of the insulator (20) and the cooling channel (28) is at least as large as half of a thickness (27) of the cooling channel (20).

Abstract: An input value is derived at least in part from information associated with present data associated with a user and details of historical data associated with the user, with the historical data including a value indicating an option selected by the user and the option being a member of a plurality of options available to associate with the present data. A plurality of scores is obtained at least in part by passing, for each of the plurality of options, the input value as input to a plurality of decision rules. A preferred option is determined based at least in part on the plurality of scores. An interface is caused to display a plurality of selectable elements corresponding to the plurality of options that include the preferred option. A response that indicates selection of the preferred option is received via the interface. The present data is associated with the preferred option.