Abstract: Applicants have discovered a new low-cost and accessible method and apparatus that allowing for quicker and more precise state determinations based on medical images. The method and apparatus are non-intrusive and require providing a medical image of a subject and determining a state based on a comparison to a training image set comprising two or more states. There is provided, according to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing medical images comprising calculating non-local means patch-based weights comparing patches surrounding pixels of interest in a test image with a number of patches of pixels surrounding a corresponding number of pixels in reference images; and calculating for the pixels of interest at least one state estimation using a given state assigned to said reference images and said weights.

Abstract: A threaded connection for drilling tubulars includes a tubular box section having a sidewall. The box section has a tapered box portion of an inner surface of the sidewall between a first end and a second end. The tapered box portion has internal threads, a first torque shoulder on a first side of the tapered box portion, and a second shoulder on a second side of the tapered box portion. A threaded collar having internal collar threads is positioned between the second end and the second shoulder. A threaded insert having a tubular body with an inner surface and an outer surface having external insert threads is configured for threadably connecting to the internal collar threads. A direction of the internal threads of the tapered box portion is opposite to a direction of the internal collar threads and the external insert threads.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered a new low-cost and accessible method and apparatus that allowing for quicker and more precise state determinations based on medical images. The method and apparatus are non-intrusive and require providing a medical image of a subject and determining a state based on a comparison to a training image set comprising two or more states. There is provided, according to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing medical images comprising calculating non-local means patch-based weights comparing patches surrounding pixels of interest in a test image with a number of patches of pixels surrounding a corresponding number of pixels in reference images; and calculating for the pixels of interest at least one state estimation using a given state assigned to said reference images and said weights.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered a new low-cost and accessible method and apparatus that allowing for quicker and more precise state determinations based on medical images. The method and apparatus are non-intrusive and require providing a medical image of a subject and determining a state based on a comparison to a training image set comprising two or more states. There is provided, according to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing medical images comprising calculating non-local means patch-based weights comparing patches surrounding pixels of interest in a test image with a number of patches of pixels surrounding a corresponding number of pixels in reference images; and calculating for the pixels of interest at least one state estimation using a given state assigned to said reference images and said weights.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing brain structural characteristics for predicting a diagnosis of a neurobehavioral disorder are disclosed. One method for utilizing brain structural characteristics for predicting a diagnosis of a neurobehavioral disorder includes receiving brain imaging data for a human subject of at least one first age. The method also includes determining, from the brain imaging data, measurements of brain structural characteristics of the human subject and inputting the brain structural characteristics into a model that predicts, using the measurements of the brain structural characteristics, a diagnosis of a neurobehavioral disorder at a second age greater than the at least one first age.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, an apparatus, and a system for estimating synthetic values of quantitative metrics are provided. They involve calculating new, more accurate boundaries using a classifier based on local intensity and spatial estimators, for the segmentation mask provided by a non-local means patch-based segmentation in a test image, and estimating for the pixels of interest at least one synthetic value of a quantitative metric using a given value of the quantitative metric assigned to the reference images and the boundaries. The method, apparatus, and system provide the advantage of generating synthetic values directly comparable against known values for given subjects or against predetermined scales for diagnostic or prognostic purposes. In the specific case of Alzheimer's disease, the invention stretches the predictive range up to two full decades, which constitutes a significant advance in the field of medical diagnostics.

Abstract: A plumbing trap assembly for integrating a plumbing trap into a variety of plumbing geometries includes a plumbing trap that has an inlet and an outlet for plumbing into an existing sewer system of a building. The plumbing trap is curved between the inlet and the outlet to trap water for inhibiting back flow of sewer gasses through the plumbing trap. The plumbing trap has a plurality of threaded sections thereon. The threaded sections are spaced apart from other thereby facilitating the plumbing trap to be cut between a selected pair of the threaded sections. In this way the plumbing trap has an adjustable length to facilitate the plumbing trap to be integrated into a variety of plumbing geometries.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for use in downhole drilling operations includes a rotating valve portion having a first body with at least one first flow channel, and a stationary valve portion having a second body with at least one second flow channels and at least one bypass channel. A flow restrictor is positioned within the at least one bypass channel for adjusting a total flow area of the at least one bypass channel. During rotation of the rotating valve portion relative to the stationary valve portion, a total flow area of a passage defined by the first flow channel(s), the second flow channel(s), and the at least one bypass channel varies according to a uniform closure pattern to provide uniform pressure pulses within a single revolution of the rotating valve portion. A method of generating uniform pressure pulses in downhole drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A threaded connection for drilling tubulars includes a tubular box section having a sidewall. The box section has a tapered box portion of an inner surface of the sidewall between a first end and a second end. The tapered box portion has internal threads, a first torque shoulder on a first side of the tapered box portion, and a second shoulder on a second side of the tapered box portion. A threaded collar having internal collar threads is positioned between the second end and the second shoulder. A threaded insert having a tubular body with an inner surface and an outer surface having external insert threads is configured for threadably connecting to the internal collar threads. A direction of the internal threads of the tapered box portion is opposite to a direction of the internal collar threads and the external insert threads.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for use in downhole drilling operations includes a rotating valve portion having a first body with at least one first flow channel, and a stationary valve portion having a second body with at least one second flow channels and at least one bypass channel. A flow restrictor is positioned within the at least one bypass channel for adjusting a total flow area of the at least one bypass channel. During rotation of the rotating valve portion relative to the stationary valve portion, a total flow area of a passage defined by the first flow channel(s), the second flow channel(s), and the at least one bypass channel varies according to a uniform closure pattern to provide uniform pressure pulses within a single revolution of the rotating valve portion. A method of generating uniform pressure pulses in downhole drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered a new low-cost and accessible method and apparatus that allowing for quicker and more precise state determinations based on medical images. The method and apparatus are non-intrusive and require providing a medical image of a subject and determining a state based on a comparison to a training image set comprising two or more states. There is provided, according to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing medical images comprising calculating non-local means patch-based weights comparing patches surrounding pixels of interest in a test image with a number of patches of pixels surrounding a corresponding number of pixels in reference images; and calculating for the pixels of interest at least one state estimation using a given state assigned to said reference images and said weights.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, an apparatus, and a system for estimating synthetic values of quantitative metrics are provided. They involve calculating new, more accurate boundaries using a classifier based on local intensity and spatial estimators, for the segmentation mask provided by a non-local means patch-based segmentation in a test image, and estimating for the pixels of interest at least one synthetic value of a quantitative metric using a given value of the quantitative metric assigned to the reference images and the boundaries. The method, apparatus, and system provide the advantage of generating synthetic values directly comparable against known values for given subjects or against predetermined scales for diagnostic or prognostic purposes. In the specific case of Alzheimer's disease, the invention stretches the predictive range up to two full decades, which constitutes a significant advance in the field of medical diagnostics.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing brain structural characteristics for predicting a diagnosis of a neurobehavioral disorder are disclosed. One method for utilizing brain structural characteristics for predicting a diagnosis of a neurobehavioral disorder includes receiving brain imaging data for a human subject of at least one first age. The method also includes determining, from the brain imaging data, measurements of brain structural characteristics of the human subject and inputting the brain structural characteristics into a model that predicts, using the measurements of the brain structural characteristics, a diagnosis of a neurobehavioral disorder at a second age greater than the at least one first age.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered a new low-cost and accessible method and apparatus that allowing for quicker and more precise state determinations based on medical images. The method and apparatus are non-intrusive and require providing a medical image of a subject and determining a state based on a comparison to a training image set comprising two or more states. There is provided, according to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing medical images comprising calculating non-local means patch-based weights comparing patches surrounding pixels of interest in a test image with a number of patches of pixels surrounding a corresponding number of pixels in reference images; and calculating for the pixels of interest at least one state estimation using a given state assigned to said reference images and said weights.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered a new low-cost and accessible method and apparatus that allowing for quicker and more precise state determinations based on medical images. The method and apparatus are non-intrusive and require providing a medical image of a subject and determining a state based on a comparison to a training image set comprising two or more states. There is provided, according to the present invention, a computer-implemented method for processing medical images comprising calculating non-local means patch-based weights comparing patches surrounding pixels of interest in a test image with a number of patches of pixels surrounding a corresponding number of pixels in reference images; and calculating for the pixels of interest at least one state estimation using a given state assigned to said reference images and said weights.

Abstract: There is provided a method for predicting a clinical state of a subject based on image data obtained from a Volume Of Interest in the subject. The method comprise the establishment of a predictive model that relates image features and the future evolution of a clinical state.

Abstract: A method for obtaining location information about a well as it is being drilled through a subsurface, comprises: providing at least one fiber optic cable deployed in a borehole within acoustic range of the well, the proximal end of the cable being coupled to a light source and a photodetector, the fiber optic cable being acoustically coupled to the subsurface formation so as to allow acoustic signals in the subsurface to affect the physical status of the cable, providing an acoustic source in the well, transmitting at least one light pulse into the cable, receiving at the photodetector a first light signal indicative of the physical status of at least one first section of the cable. The first section is selected so that the first light signal provides information about the position of the acoustic source, and outputting at least the information to a display.

Abstract: A method of classifying a test subject comprises collecting imaging data for a plurality of training subjects, control subjects and a test subject. An intensity volume of interest (VOI) and a morphological VOI are selected from said imaging data. Training intensity data and morphological data are calculated for the intensity and spatial VOI. A statistical model can then be created based on the training intensity data and training spatial data to provide a universe of subjects. Control intensity data and spatial data are also calculated for the intensity and spatial VOI. A classifier can then be built dividing the universe into at least two regions. The test subject data can then be applied to the classifier to provide a determination of whether the test subject falls within the first region or the second region. The condition can be a neurological disease state such as temporal lobe epilepsy or Alzheimer's dementia.

Abstract: There is provided a method for predicting a clinical state of a subject based on image data obtained from a Volume Of Interest in the subject. The method comprise the establishment of a predictive model that relates image features and the future evolution of a clinical state.

Abstract: A method of classifying a test subject comprises collecting imaging data for a plurality of training subjects, control subjects and a test subject. An intensity volume of interest (VOI) and a spatial VOI are selected from said imaging data. Training intensity data and spatial data are calculated for the intensity and spatial VOI. A statistical model can then be created based on the training intensity data and training spatial data to provide a universe of subjects. Control intensity data and spatial data are also calculated for the intensity and spatial VOI. A classifier can then be built dividing the universe into at least two regions. The test subject data can then be applied to the classifier to provide a determination of whether said test subject falls within the first region or the second region. The condition can be a neurological disease state such as temporal lobe epilepsy or Alzheimer's dementia.