Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a 3D imaging probe and a needle guide which attaches to the probe for guidance of needle insertion into a volumetric region which can be scanned by the 3D imaging probe. The needle guide responds to the insertion of a needle through the guide by identifying a plane for scanning by the probe which is the insertion plane through which the needle will pass during insertion. The orientation of the insertion plane is communicated to the probe to cause the probe to scan the identified plane and produce images of the needle as it travels through the insertion plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising an ultrasound probe (20) having a transducer array (21) configured to provide an ultrasound receive signal. The system further comprises a B-mode volume processing unit (30) configured to generate a B-mode volume (31) based on the ultrasound receive signal, and a B-mode image processing unit (40) configured to provide a current B-mode image (41) based on the B-mode volume (31). The system further comprises a memory (50) configured to store a previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51). Also, the system comprises a registration unit (60) configured to register the previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51) to the B-mode volume (31) and to select a portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map corresponding to the current B-mode image (41). Further, the system comprises a display configured to display an ultrasound image (71) based on the current B-mode image (41) and the selected portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map (51).

Abstract: A convertible helicopter ring member includes a ring member and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism orients the ring member substantially in-plane with a tail rotor of a helicopter during a first mode of helicopter operation and orients the ring member substantially off-plane with the tail rotor of the helicopter during a second mode of helicopter operation that is different from the first mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a 3D imaging probe and a needle guide which attaches to the probe for guidance of the insertion of multiple needles into a volumetric region which can be scanned by the 3D imaging probe. The needle guide responds to the insertion of a needle through the guide by identifying a plane for scanning by the probe which is the insertion plane through which the needle will pass during insertion. The orientation of the insertion plane is communicated to the probe to cause the probe to scan the identified plane and produce images of the needle as it travels through the insertion plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly (10) comprising: an ultrasound transducer head (14), an electrical conductor (16) for connecting the transducer head (14) to an electrical power supply (20) of a base station (12) and for transmitting electrical power from the power supply (20) to the transducer head (14), a connector element (22) for connecting the electrical conductor (16) to the power supply (20) and for receiving an input voltage (V20) from the power supply (20), and a capacitor (34) electrically connected or electrically connectable to the electrical conductor (16) for storing electrical charge, wherein the capacitor (34) has a capacitance larger than or equal to 100 ?F.

Abstract: A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the transducer backing block. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system.

Abstract: A matrix array probe including a transducer array and integrated circuitry coupled to the transducer elements dissipates heat generated by the array and integrated circuitry through the cover of the transducer probe. A pump in the probe connector pumps fluid through a closed loop system including inbound an outbound fluid conduits in the cable. The fluid conduits in the cable are separated by the cable electrical conductors for the probe. The heat transfer in the probe is done by a heat exchanger in the probe spaceframe or transducer stack backing block and may use a Peltier device. Additional cooling may be provided by metal to metal contact with a chiller in the ultrasound system.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for providing recommendations to customers. Defining steps include establishing a connection with a customer's mobile device, obtaining information about the location of the customer's mobile device, determining recommended goods or services currently offered by one or more business locations, and outputting for display on the customer's mobile device a listing of the recommended goods or services navigable by category or subcategory.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for displaying a branded interface. Defining steps enabling a customer to select a particular entity from among one or more entities at a mobile device utilized by the customer, configuring the customer's mobile device to receive display specifications defined by a user associated with the particular entity, receiving the display specifications at the customer's mobile device, and configuring the customer's mobile device to display a branded interface based on the display specifications.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for generating recommendations to hospitality customers. Defining steps include enabling a customer to select a particular business from among one or more businesses at a mobile device utilized by the customer, configuring the customer's mobile device to receive a recommendation from the customer, and providing the recommendation to a user at the particular business for review, wherein the recommendation is selectable for public review by potential customers requesting information about the particular business.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-collapsed capacitive micro -machined transducer cell (10) comprising a substrate (12) comprising a first electrode (16), a membrane (14) comprising a second electrode (18), wherein the cell has an outer region (22) where the membrane (14) is mounted to the substrate (12) and an inner region (20) inside or surrounded by the outer region (22), wherein the membrane (14) is collapsed to the substrate (12) in a first collapsed annular-shaped region (24) located within the inner region (20).

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product embodiments for receiving customer requests use a request management system. An embodiment operates by establishing a connection with a customer's mobile device, obtaining information about the location of the customer's mobile device, providing to the customer's mobile device a set of data describing goods or services currently offered by one or more business locations, receiving from the customer's mobile device a request for a good or service offered by a particular business location, and adding the request to a queue associated with one or more groups assigned to fulfill the request based on the request type.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments process requests using a request management system. Defining steps include defining a set of users, each user associated with one or more groups, and defining a list of request types, each request type assigned to at least one group. Each request type defines one or more requests receivable from a customer's mobile device. A further step is receiving a request from a customer's mobile device. The customer's mobile device is configured to connect to the request management system to submit one or more requests defined by the set of request types. Finally, an assigning step assigns the request received from the customer to one or more groups assigned to fulfill the request type that includes the received request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a room within a building by sealing the room from outside ambient air ingress, heating the room internally, sensing humidity levels within the room, exhausting the air from within the room and drawing in outside ambient air, sensing water content within the room, and repeating the sequence until a dry status indication is received that the water content within the room has been reduced a predetermined level.

Abstract: A 2D ultrasound imaging system has a number of different probes for different clinical applications. Each 2D imaging probe has a one dimensional array transducer and one or more microbeamformers coupled to the individual elements of the array. Preferably the microbeamformers are the same, and serve as a standard component of the system. The microbeamformers combine signals from the elements of their transducers and every probe has from four to sixteen outputs of partially beamformed signals. The mainframe system has a beamformer with four to sixteen channels, which completes the beamformation process for each probe.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for providing recommendations to hospitality customers. Defining steps include establishing a connection with a customer's mobile device, obtaining information about the location of the customer's mobile device, determining recommended goods or services currently offered by one or more business locations, and outputting for display on the customer's mobile device a listing of the recommended goods or services navigable by category or subcategory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree rootstock named ‘G.222.’ The ‘G.222’ apple tree rootstock is 45 to 55 percent of the size of a standard self-rooted seedling tree, induces precocity to the scion, encourages high yield efficiency, is resistant to fire blight and woolly apple aphid, is resistant to crown and root rots caused by Phytophthora cactorum, and is tolerant to replant disease complex.

Abstract: Cable manager 30 is positioned between the distal end of a robot arm 16 and the robot end effector 18. Elongated cable carrier 44 positioned in a circular cable track 34 extends in an arc about the axis of connection 17 between the robot arm and the end effector. One end 56 of the cable carrier moves with the robot arm and the other end 54 moves with the end effector. The cable carrier forms a U-shape 60 between its ends so that the movements of the ends of the cable carrier result in the U-shape accommodating the change in distance between the ends of the utility line and the cable carrier. Utility lines 62 are gathered in one or more cables that extend through the cable carrier to provide the end effector with the controls necessary for its operation.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree Malus domestica×Malus robusta hybrid ‘G.969’ is described herein. The new variety is resistant to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and crown rot (Phytophthora cactorum). The ‘G.969’ rootstock is useful in that it can be propagated clonally and used as a semi-dwarfing rootstock or root system for apple trees as well as for interstems of apple trees.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apple tree rootstock named ‘G.222’. The ‘G.222’ apple tree rootstock is 45 to 55 percent of the size of a standard self-rooted seedling tree, induces precocity to the scion, encourages high yield efficiency, is resistant to fire blight and woolly apple aphid, is resistant to crown and root rots caused by Phytophthora cactorum, and is tolerant to replant disease complex.