Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.

Abstract: A multi-axis imaging system comprising an imaging gantry with an imaging axis extending through a bore of the imaging gantry, a support column that supports the imaging gantry on one side of the gantry in a cantilevered manner, and a base that supports the imaging gantry and the support column. The imaging system including a first drive mechanism that translates the gantry in a vertical direction relative to the support column and the base, a second drive mechanism that rotates the gantry with respect to the support column between a first orientation where the imaging axis of the imaging gantry extends in a vertical direction parallel to the support column and a second orientation where the imaging axis of the gantry extends in a horizontal direction parallel with the base, and a third drive mechanism that translates the support column and the gantry in a horizontal direction along the base.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding an aircraft includes: an air velocity sensor disposed on the aircraft and configured to sense a speed and direction of a wind remote to the aircraft to provide remote wind speed and direction data; a flight control actuator coupled to a flight control device; and a flight controller communicably coupled to the air velocity sensor, the flight controller having an input section that receives the remote wind speed and direction data from the air velocity sensor, a processor configured to determine a magnitude and direction of the wind with respect to a planned flight route and to predict an influence acting on the aircraft due to the magnitude and direction of the wind with respect to the planned flight route, and an output section communicably coupled to the flight control actuator to provide a control signal that results in the aircraft counteracting the predicted influence.

Abstract: An aircraft and method of operating an aircraft. A sensor measures an air velocity at a location a selected distance from the aircraft. A processor determines an effect of the air velocity on an accuracy metric of a first flight course of the aircraft, changes from the first flight course to a second flight course when the accuracy metric of the first flight course meets a threshold and operates the aircraft according to the second flight course.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a releasable actuation system includes a support member, a carriage movable relative to the support member, a releasable mount configured to couple the support member to a frame, the support member being rotatable relative to the releasable mount by a rotatable joint, an image capturing sensor connected to the carriage, an actuator connected to the carriage and operable to adjust a position of a switch, a memory having computer readable instructions, and one or more processors for executing the computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions controlling the one or more processors to perform operations comprising directing the actuator to adjust the position of the switch.

Abstract: A mobile diagnostic imaging system includes a battery system and charging system. The battery system is located in the rotating portion of the imaging system, and includes one or more battery packs comprising electrochemical cells. Each battery pack includes a control circuit that controls the state of charge of each electrochemical cell, and implements a control scheme that causes the electrochemical cells to have a similar charge state. The battery system communicates with a charging system on the non-rotating portion to terminate charge when one or more of the electrochemical cells reach a full state of charge. The imaging system also includes a docking system that electrically connects the charging system to the battery system during charging and temporarily electrically disconnects the rotating and non-rotating portions during imaging, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating portion relative to the non-rotating portion.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first portion and a second portion that translates and/or rotates with respect to the first portion. A first locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from translating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport of the system. A second locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from rotating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport and/or during an imaging scan. Further embodiments include a cable management system between the first and second portions, a spherically-shaped surface of a support gimbal and a user interface device for an imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first portion and a second portion that translates and/or rotates with respect to the first portion. A first locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from translating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport of the system. A second locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from rotating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport and/or during an imaging scan. Further embodiments include a cable management system between the first and second portions, a spherically-shaped surface of a support gimbal and a user interface device for an imaging system.

Abstract: A multi-axis imaging system comprising an imaging gantry with an imaging axis extending through a bore of the imaging gantry, a support column that supports the imaging gantry on one side of the gantry in a cantilevered manner, and a base that supports the imaging gantry and the support column. The imaging system including a first drive mechanism that translates the gantry in a vertical direction relative to the support column and the base, a second drive mechanism that rotates the gantry with respect to the support column between a first orientation where the imaging axis of the imaging gantry extends in a vertical direction parallel to the support column and a second orientation where the imaging axis of the gantry extends in a horizontal direction parallel with the base, and a third drive mechanism that translates the support column and the gantry in a horizontal direction along the base.

Abstract: A multi-axis imaging system and methods for imaging a human or animal using a multi-axis imaging system.

Abstract: A mattress formed with a base layer, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the base layer to form a void space above the base layer and between the sidewalls, and a top layer positioned atop the sidewalls to enclose the void space; and fill material compressed within the void space; wherein the fill material comprises constituents of at least one of shredded foam memory foam, shredded conventional foam, shredded memory foam and conventional foam mixed, shredded memory foam and fiber mixed, shredded conventional foam and fiber mixed, and shredded memory foam and conventional foam and fiber mixed.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.

Abstract: A multi-axis imaging system and methods for imaging a human or animal using a multi-axis imaging system.

Abstract: A detector system for an imaging system includes an airflow cooling system. The detector system includes a detector chassis, a duct extending along the length of the chassis, and a manifold that couples the duct to the interior of the chassis. A vacuum source, such as a suction fan, is coupled to the duct and generates a vacuum force within the duct. The chassis includes a plurality of inlet openings, with an airflow path being defined through the interior of the chassis between the inlet openings and the manifold. The suction fan pulls cooling air through the inlet openings, through the chassis and manifold to the duct, and then expels the air through an exhaust opening. The airflow is directed into thermal contact with detector elements and associated electronics in the detector chassis to provide cooling of these components.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.