Abstract: Methods and device are disclosed for data retrieval. At first images and reports are analyzed by respective parser units to detect both structures and text passages that are related to respective structures and text passages of a knowledge data-base. The detected structures and text passages are stored together with a unique resource located that identifies the respective structure and/or text passage at the knowledge database in a semantic annotation database. In addition a feature extraction can be performed to provide specific features of the images and/or regions of the images, whereby the features are stored in an image feature database. Finally an input query can ask questions that are used to provide a result to the query based on the semantic annotation database and the image feature database. The methods and devices may be used for data preparation and data retrieval of medical images and associated medical reports.

Abstract: A method for automatically identifying a potential pleural effusion in medical image data of a thorax of a patient from a scan by means of a medical scanner is provided. It includes at least the steps of accepting rib cage detection data of the rib cage of the patient from the image data, which rib cage detection data include rib cage extent data of a rib cage extent of the interior of the rib cage, accepting lung detection data of the lung of the patient from the image data, which lung detection data comprise lung extent data of a lung extent of the external boundary of the lung, accepting mediastinum detection data of all organs of the mediastinum in the thorax (Th) of the patient from the image data, which mediastinum detection data comprise mediastinum extent data of a mediastinum extent of the external boundary of the mediastinum, and subtracting the lung extent and the mediastinum extent from the rib cage extent while forming pleural effusion identification data.

Abstract: For therapy response assessment, texture features are input for machine learning a classifier and for using a machine learnt classifier. Rather than or in addition to using formula-based texture features, data driven texture features are derived from training images. Such data driven texture features are independent analysis features, such as features from independent subspace analysis. The texture features may be used to predict the outcome of therapy based on a few number of or even one scan of the patient.

Abstract: A rendering device, a control method for a graphical user interface and a computer software product are disclosed. The rendering device includes an input interface, a parser interface and a retrieval unit, designed for the automatic generation of a search function for retrieval from accessible databases by reference to a specific semantic identifier, in order to acquire reference data, in combination with control data, for display on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A magnetic field measuring system is disclosed. The magnetic field measuring system includes a substrate, a conductive well formed in the substrate, the well having a first side with a first length, a first contact electrically coupled to the conductive well at a first location of the first side, a second contact electrically coupled to the conductive well at a second location of the first side, wherein the distance between the first location and the second location is less than the first length, a stimulus circuit coupled to the first contact and the second contact, and a sensor for identifying a property indicative of the length of a current path from the first location to the second location through the conductive well.

Abstract: An illumination circuit for a time-of-flight camera includes at least one light source. At least one switch is configured to influence the at least one light source. At least one current limiter is disposed in a current path of the at least one light source. A parallel capacitor is disposed parallel to the at least one current limiter. The at least one light source can include a light-emitting diode and the at least one current limiter can include at least one of a limiting resistor, a limiting switch and limiting diode.

Abstract: Methods and device are disclosed for data retrieval. At first images and reports are analyzed by respective parser units to detect both structures and text passages that are related to respective structures and text passages of a knowledge database. The detected structures and text passages are stored together with a unique resource located that identifies the respective structure and/or text passage at the knowledge database in a semantic annotation database. In addition a feature extraction can be performed to provide specific features of the images and/or regions of the images, whereby the features are stored in an image feature database. Finally an input query can ask questions that are used to provide a result to the query based on the semantic annotation database and the image feature database. The methods and devices may be used for data preparation and data retrieval of medical images and associated medical reports.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assigning measurement data of a body of a patient to information data related to the same body. The method includes providing annotated measurement data, providing annotated information data, translating the first group of annotations into a first group of universal annotations and the second group of annotations into a second group of universal medical annotations in a universal annotation ontology management system, comparing the universal annotations of the first group of universal annotations with the universal annotations of the second group of universal annotations, and assigning the universal annotations to each other. An assignment system and a universal annotation ontology management system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and device are disclosed for data retrieval. At first images and reports are analyzed by respective parser units to detect both structures and text passages that are related to respective structures and text passages of a knowledge data-base. The detected structures and text passages are stored together with a unique resource located that identifies the respective structure and/or text passage at the knowledge database in a semantic annotation database. In addition a feature extraction can be performed to provide specific features of the images and/or regions of the images, whereby the features are stored in an image feature database. Finally an input query can ask questions that are used to provide a result to the query based on the semantic annotation database and the image feature database. The methods and devices may be used for data preparation and data retrieval of medical images and associated medical reports.

Abstract: A magnetic field measuring system is disclosed. The magnetic field measuring system includes a substrate, a conductive well formed in the substrate, the well having a first side with a first length, a first contact electrically coupled to the conductive well at a first location of the first side, a second contact electrically coupled to the conductive well at a second location of the first side, wherein the distance between the first location and the second location is less than the first length, a stimulus circuit coupled to the first contact and the second contact, and a sensor for identifying a property indicative of the length of a current path from the first location to the second location through the conductive well.

Abstract: A process for producing a wear-resistant coating and to a wear-resistant coating on predetermined surfaces (2) of machine or engine parts (1) consisting of a sintered material which are exposed to frictional wear, for fuel feed units in particular, comprising at least one metal-free amorphous hydrocarbon layer (5) with sp2- and sp3-hybridized carbon applied to the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (I) for reducing friction and increasing the wear resistance of the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (1), and at least one intermediate layer of a metal-containing hydrocarbon layer formed between the predetermined surface of the machine or engine part and the amorphous hydrocarbon layer wherein the metal is a combination of W, Ti, Hf and Ge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a wear-resistant coating and to a wear-resistant coating on predetermined surfaces (2) of machine or engine parts (1) consisting of a sintered material which are exposed to frictional wear, for fuel feed units in particular, comprising at least one metal-free amorphous hydrocarbon layer (5) with sp2- and sp3-hybridized carbon applied to the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (1) for reducing friction and increasing the wear resistance of the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (1).

Abstract: A water chamber (1) adapted for use in conjunction with a heater base, for humidifying an air stream. The chamber (1) including at least one horizontally oriented gases port (3) including an elongate flow tube (5) extending into the chamber (1) from the inner periphery of the gases port (3), the flow tube (5) having an opening at its distal end facing a direction transverse to the axis of the tube (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering humidified gases has a connection manifold (8) adapted to connect with inlet (5) and outlet (6) ports of a slide-on water chamber (2) in a single slide on motion. Connection of the gases inlet (5) and gases outlet (6) ports as well as any additional electrical and/or pneumatic connections are all made in the same slide on motion. The water chamber (2) may include inwardly extending elongate extension tubes (30,31) and at least one of the extension tubes may also have an air bleed aperture (33) to aid filling of the chamber (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a wear-resistant coating and to a wear-resistant coating on predetermined surfaces (2) of machine or engine parts (1) consisting of a sintered material which are exposed to frictional wear, for fuel feed units in particular, comprising at least one metal-free amorphous hydrocarbon layer (5) with sp2 - and sp3-hybridized carbon applied to the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (1) for reducing friction and increasing the wear resistance of the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (1).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for use humidified gases delivery treatment comprising a housing, a humidifier, and a chamber heating means connected to said housing, said housing includes a pressurized gases supply, a humidifier engagement (17), a pressurized gases outlet (4), a humidified gases return (7), and a patient outlet (9), said humidifier includes a humidification chamber (2) having a base, a humidifier inlet (5), a humidifier outlet (6) and said chamber is engagable with said humidifier engagement (17) via a single motion, and said single motion of engagement urges the base of said humidification chamber adjacent and in contact with said chamber heating means and makes a first fluid connection between said pressurized gases outlet (4) and said humidifier inlet (5), and makes a second fluid connection between said humidified gases return (7) and said humidifier outlet (6), with said first and second fluid connections being made in the direction of said single motion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing water management capabilities of a fuel cell system are described. The method includes blasting of the surface of a bipolar plate to roughen the surface to create a super hydrophilic or super hydrophobic surface for enhanced water management. Preferably water jet blasting is used. Other blasting methods include grit blasting, sand blasting and dry ice blasting.

Abstract: A method and device for arc straightening in an HID lamp, the method comprising the steps of: determining and selecting a frequency signal or a frequency sweep signal that produces arc straightening for an HID lamp; and exciting an arc straightening acoustic mode in conjunction with a carrier frequency signal. In a preferred embodiment, the exciting step comprises amplitude modulating the carrier frequency signal with either the frequency signal or the frequency sweep signal which corresponds to the power frequencies for arc straightening. In a further embodiment, the exciting step comprises summing the carrier frequency signal with a second frequency signal or second frequency sweep signal to obtain a difference power frequency or power frequencies which excite an arc straightening acoustic mode.

Abstract: A method and structure for substantially overcome vertical segregation in HID lamps, the method comprising the steps of: determining and selecting a frequency sweep signal to produce arc straightening and a fixed frequency signal for exciting a second longitudinal acoustic mode; and exciting in conjunction with a carrier frequency an arc straightening acoustic mode together with a second longitudinal acoustic mode excitation. In a preferred embodiment, the exciting step comprises amplitude modulating the carrier frequency signal with a sum of the frequency sweep signal and the fixed frequency signal.

Abstract: A method and ballast for driving a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp include generating a very high frequency driving signal for the HID lamp, generating a low frequency modulating signal, amplitude modulating the driving signal with the modulating signal at a predetermined low initial modulation level, measuring a lamp voltage across the HID lamp, determining a standard deviation of the lamp voltage, comparing the standard deviation with a predetermined minimum level, if the standard deviation is above the predetermined minimum level, incrementally increasing the modulation level and repeating the amplitude modulating step, the measuring step, the determining step and the comparing step, and if the standard deviation is below the predetermined minimum level, maintaining the amplitude modulation at the determined level.