Abstract: A computer system is provided which includes a sensor system and a processor. The sampling rate of the sensor system is not predetermined, and instead depends on the acquisition rate of the algorithm acquiring the data stream provided by the sensor system. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a sensor system and a processor is provided, wherein the sampling rate of the sensor system is not predetermined, and instead depends on the acquisition rate of the algorithm acquiring the data stream provided by the sensor system. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: A method of aligning the radiation beam in a radiotherapy system comprising a source for producing a beam of radiation and an imaging device for imaging from the beam, both mounted to be rotatable about an axis, a fiducial phantom between the source and imaging device, the method comprising: rotating the beam and imaging device in a trajectory about the axis while obtaining images of the fiducial phantom from a plurality of different angles, at least one image including a feature of the imaging apparatus, adjusting the trajectory of the source relative to that feature to position the isocenter substantially in the center of the volume, determining from each image of the fiducial phantom the position of the source at the rotational position the image was obtained, and calculating the center of rotation of the positions of the source to define the isocenter of the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide markers, phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both magnetic resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A marker includes a first marker component having a first hydrogen proton density and a first mass density; and a second marker component having a second hydrogen proton density different than the first hydrogen proton density, and a second mass density different than the first mass density. The first marker component and the second marker component are non-magnetic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a centre of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: A method of aligning the radiation beam in a radiotherapy system comprising a source for producing a beam of radiation and an imaging device for imaging from the beam, both mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis using a fiducial phantom between the source and the imaging device, the method comprising: rotating the beam and imaging device in a trajectory about the axis while obtaining a plurality of images of the fiducial phantom from a plurality of different angles, wherein at least one image includes a feature of the imaging apparatus, adjusting the trajectory of the source relative to that feature so as to position the isocentre substantially centrally of the volume, determining from each image of the fiducial phantom the position of the source at the rotational position the image was obtained, and calculating the centre of rotation of the positions of the source to define the isocentre of the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide markers, phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A marker includes a first component having a first hydrogen proton density and a first mass density; and a second component having a second hydrogen proton density different than the first hydrogen proton density, and a second mass density different than the first mass density. The first and second components are non-magnetic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a centre of the at least one pocket.

Abstract: A method for delivering a scale treatment agent to a hydrocarbon producing system. The method includes the steps of contacting the system with a foam comprising the scale treatment agent, and shutting the scale treatment agent in the system for at least 0.5 hour.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the retention of a scale inhibitor within a hydrocarbon producing system (e.g. a subterranean formation), said method comprising contacting said system with a polymer formed from a diallyl ammonium salt and with said scale inhibitor, wherein said polymer formed from a diallyl ammonium salt has a molecular weight of greater than 50,000 (e.g. a molecular weight of 55,000 to 2,000,000).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the retention of a scale inhibitor within a hydrocarbon producing system (e.g. a subterranean formation), said method comprising contacting said system with a polymer foamed from a diallyl ammonium salt and with said scale inhibitor, wherein said polymer formed from a diallyl ammonium salt has a molecular weight of greater than 50,000 (e.g. a molecular weight of 55,000 to 2,000,000).

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering a scale treatment agent to a hydrocarbon producing system, said method comprising: contacting said system with a foam comprising said scale treatment agent; and shutting said scale treatment agentin said system for at least 0.5 hour.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.

Abstract: According to the invention, a fully viscosified acid diversion system for hydrofluoric acid has been developed. The viscosifying agent comprises a xanthan polymer or a derivative thereof. A method of acidizing a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the method comprising the steps of: (A) forming a viscosified treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) hydrogen fluoride or a controlled-release source of hydrogen fluoride; and (iii) a gelling agent comprising a xanthan polymer or derivative thereof; and (B) introducing the viscosified treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. A breaking agent can be used to achieve a controlled gel break time under downhole conditions. Other additives can also be included in the treatment fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down said well, polymeric particles having covalently bound to a polymeric component thereof a well treatment chemical or a precursor thereof, wherein the particles contain covalent bonds scissile in an aqueous environment to release or expose said chemical or precursor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well which method comprises administering, down the well, inverse suspension polymerized polymer particles having immobilized therein a well treatment chemical or a precursor or generator thereof.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a hydrocarbon well comprising administering down the well polymeric particles impregnated with a well treatment chemical or precursor or generator thereof. The particles have a pore volume of at least 20%, and are prepared by a process which comprises preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles containing from 0.05 to 10 times by volume, based on the polymer, of one or more specific first material(s) adding a partly water-soluble second material having a water-solubility of at least ten times that of first material(s) under conditions which prevent or hinder transport of first material(s) through the aqueous phase, whereby second material diffuses into the polymer particles swelled with first material(s) and increases the volume of said particles by from 20 to 1000 times, based on the polymer.