Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid material from an injection molding machine to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: a manifold receiving the injected fluid material and having a delivery channel that delivers the fluid material to the mold cavity; a bushing or insert or plug mounted in an aperture in the manifold having a rate flow control channel communicating with the delivery channel of the manifold; a pin having a flow control member; the pin being adapted for back and forth axial movement within the rate flow control channel wherein a surface of the flow control member is controllably engageable or sealable against an interior surface area portion of the rate flow control channel of the bushing or insert or plug.

Abstract: An MRI for a patient includes an imaging coil for sparsely sampling multiple slices of k-space data across a spatial dimension and a temporal dimension to produce associated signals. The MRI includes a receiving coil which receives the associated signals of the multiple slices. The MRI includes a memory in which the associated signals of the multiple slices are stored. The MRI includes a processing unit which processes the associated signals of the multiple slices altogether at essentially a same time to produce an image of the patient. A method of using an MRI for a patient. A method of using an MRI for a patient's heart.

Abstract: An MRI includes at least a singular imaging channel which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time to acquire data of an object. The MRI includes a computer in communication with the imaging channel that performs a signal processing routine to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels and produce an image of the object. A method for using an MRI includes the steps of acquiring data of an object with at least a singular imaging channel of the MRI which uses a smoothly varying sampling pattern to sparsely sample k-space as a series of parallel lines over time. There is the step of performing a signal processing routine with a computer in communication with the imaging channel to interpolate the data and fill in points of k-space which were not sampled by the imaging channels. There is the step of producing an image of the object.

Abstract: A control portion of a remotely controlled surgical device comprises a first set of controls, a second set of controls, and a function control mechanism. The first set of controls is configured for receiving motion from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of its received motion inputs into one or more macro motion control signals for controlling one or more macro motions associated with an articulating surgical instrument. The second set of controls is configured for receiving motion from the human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of its received motion inputs into one or more micro motion control signals for controlling one or more micro motions of the articulating surgical instrument. The function control mechanism is configured for receiving a function control input from a user of the control portion. The function control input is for controlling a function associated with the remotely controlled surgical device.

Abstract: A remotely controlled surgical device control portion comprises a user moveable bi-directional trigger, a finger loop disposed within the trigger, and a flange coupled to the finger loop. The trigger is configured for receiving a motion input in opposing first and second directions. The motion input is for controlling an articulation motion of an articulating surgical instrument. The finger loop is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of a user squeezing the trigger in the first direction with at least one finger or pushing the trigger in the second direction with said at least one finger. The flange is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of pushing the trigger in the second direction with a thumb.

Abstract: An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller in communication with the imaging coils and the receiving coils which controls the imaging coils and the receiving coils to sample k space associated with a patient in a pattern based on prior knowledge of k space data, and which reconstructs an image of the patient from the sampled k space. A method of an MRI includes the steps of acquiring preliminary k space data of a patient indicating the extent of k space data for all receiver channels using imaging and receiving coils. There is the step of determining with a controller which regions of signal associated with the k space are to be targeted by multiple acquisition blades of data with the imaging and receiver coils based on the preliminary k space. There is the step of sampling each of the regions determined by the controller with the blades to obtain k space data. There is the step of storing the k space data in a memory.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for an object in change includes an MRI system having a computer, a first channel and at least a second channel which produce corresponding images of the object in change. The computer combining the individual images into a composite image of the object. Alternatively, the MRI system has at least a first channel which produce an image of the object in change from data acquired in k-space domain in a density of at least ? that required to satisfy a Nyquist criteria. A method for imaging an object in change includes the steps of producing an individual image of the object in change with a first channel of an MRI system. There is the step of producing an individual image of the object in change with at least a second channel of the MRI system independent of the first channel. There is the step of combining the individual images into a composite image of the object with a computer of the MRI system.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the rate of flow of fluid material through an injection molding flow channel leading to a mold cavity, the apparatus comprising: a pin having a longitudinal length being adapted for back and forth axial movement through the flow channel; the pin having a protrusion at a selected position along its length, the protrusion having an upstream end and a downstream end and a maximum diameter circumferential surface intermediate the upstream and downstream ends; the channel having an interior surface area portion which is complementary to the maximum diameter circumferential surface of the protrusion of the pin; and the pin being slidable to a position within the channel such that the maximum diameter circumferential surface of the protrusion forms a seal with the complementary interior surface portion of the channel to stop flow of the fluid material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image of a body of a patient. The apparatus comprises an energy source which emits energy that passes through the body or which causes the body to emit energy. The apparatus comprises at least one detector element which receives the energy which has pass through, or originated within the body. The apparatus comprises a computer with a memory in communication with the detector element which stores in the memory angular and timing information relative to the body regarding the energy.

Abstract: A flexible wrist-type element and methods of operation thereof, including variations having an angularly moveable hub housing a rotatable and operable end effector driven via a drive train having one or more universal-type joints and/or other flexible couplings moveable via an input mechanism within a housing.

Abstract: A quick lock and release clamp mountable onto the bedrail of an operating table, hospital bed, and the like. The clamp includes a body, a foot, and a mouth having at least three sides defined by the body and foot. A biasing member is coupled to at least one of the body and the foot, wherein an actuating member coupled to the biasing member is configured to transmit a force to the mouth via the biasing member. A protrusion extending from the body and towards the foot engages the bedrail, thereby fixing the clamp onto the bedrail, by moving the actuating member in a first direction.

Abstract: An MRI includes a cylindrical housing having a long axis in which a patient is positioned essentially in parallel with the long axis of the cylindrical housing. The MRI includes an electromagnetic receiver coil system positioned about a cylindrical housing and aligned with the long axis of the cylindrical housing. The MRI includes an electromagnetic imaging gradients coil system positioned about the cylindrical housing and aligned with the long axis of the cylindrical housing. The MRI includes a main magnet having its north pole and south pole positioned about the housing, which produces a magnetic field through the housing perpendicular to the long axis of the cylindrical housing. A method for examining a patient.

Abstract: An MRI to form an image of a patient includes at least one emitting coil which produces RF pulses and gradients. The MRI includes a controller in communication with the emitting coil for obtaining a steady-state image of the patient, where gradient areas balance to zero for each time repetition (TR) interval, and for causing the emitting coil to produce the RF pulses without interruption during the time repetition interval. The MRI includes at least one receiving coil in communication with the controller which receives the RF pulses and provides the RF pulses to the controller for the controller to obtain the image. A method to form an image of a patient with an MRI. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium to form an image of a patient with an MRI.

Abstract: A tool kit for interchanging tools within an at least partially closed area is provided. The tool kit includes at least one tool, each tool being preferably provided within a tubular housing, and adapted to pivot out from the tool kit so that they can be attached to a receiving tool. The tool is designed to be returned to the tool kit after use, and if desired, switched with a different tool. In one embodiment, a surgical system permitting surgical tools to be interchanged within a patient's body is provided. A method of interchanging surgical tools within a patient's body is also provided.

Abstract: An articulating device element and methods of operation thereof, including a compensating force enhancement for compensating for any unwanted friction and/or other such resistance forces experienced by the device when being manipulated.

Abstract: An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller causing the imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates and k space data are acquired at each repetition time by the receiving coils to form images of the patient with the k space data. A method for an MRI includes the steps of causing with a controller imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates. There is the step of acquiring k space data at each repetition time by receiving coils. There is the step of forming images of the patient with the k space data using approaches such as Fourier transformation or filtered back projection.

Abstract: A double cylinder system is disclosed, comprising at least one controller being adapted to transmit hydraulic control signals; at least one slave being in fluid communication with the controller and being configured to respond to the hydraulic control signals transmitted by the controller; and at least one control line providing hydraulic communication between the controller and the slave. Also disclosed is a surgical device, comprising at least one controller located at a proximal end of the device, the controller being adapted to transmit hydraulic control signals; at least one manipulator, the manipulator being configured to be controlled by a human hand and to actuate the controller; at least one slave located at a distal end of the device, the slave being in fluid communication with the controller and being configured to respond to the hydraulic control signals transmitted by the controller; and at least one control line providing hydraulic communication between the controller and the slave.

Abstract: Systems are provided that control the positioning of various instruments (e.g., endoscopes or tissue retractors) used during surgical procedures. A positioning mechanism holding the instrument is coupled to a control mechanism such that mechanical manipulation of the control mechanism results in movement of the positioning mechanism relative to a patient's body, thereby eliminating the need to manually hold and position the instruments.

Abstract: An MRI includes a computer. The MRI includes imaging coils in communication with the computer that apply imaging gradients and radiofrequency transition pulses to a moving portion of the patient. The MRI includes detector coils in communication with a computer that obtain a single image component series representing velocity information of the moving portion of the patient in k-space of one cardiac cycle. The MRI includes a memory in communication with the detector coils in the computer which stores the single image component series. The computer forms an image from the single image component series stored in the memory without any comparison of any image component of the series. A method for using an MRI with a patient includes the steps of obtaining a single image component series representing velocity information of a moving portion of the patient in k-space of one cardiac cycle with imaging coils and detector coils of the MRI.

Abstract: A quick lock and release clamp mountable onto the bedrail of an operating table, hospital bed, and the like. The clamp includes a body, a foot, and a mouth having at least three sides defined by the body and foot. A biasing member is coupled to at least one of the body and the foot, wherein an actuating member coupled to the biasing member is configured to transmit a force to the mouth via the biasing member. A protrusion extending from the body and towards the foot engages the bedrail, thereby fixing the clamp onto the bedrail, by moving the actuating member in a first direction.