Abstract: Aspects provide for methods that successfully evaluates multiple compressional and shear arrival events received by a sonic logging tool to evaluate the presence of structures, such as shoulder beds, in downhole environments. In particular, the methods described herein enable automated determination of properties of laminated reservoir formations by, for example, enabling the automated determination of arrival times and slownesses of multiple compressional and shear arrival events received by a sonic logging tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary instrument for insertion into vessels or lumens with small inner diameters. The auxiliary instrument has a proximal end and a distal end and has at least one localization element whose position and orientation can be determined with an electromagnetic position detection system. The localization element is located directly adjacent to or at least close to the distal end of the auxiliary instrument and is configured to capture an alternating electromagnetic field. A distal end region of the auxiliary instrument extends from the distal end of the auxiliary instrument to a proximal end of the localization element such that the localization element is located within the distal end region. In that part of the distal end region in which the localization element is located, the auxiliary instrument has a low bending stiffness of less than 10 Nmm2, at least in sections.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a method that utilizes the azimuthally spaced receivers of a sonic logging tool. Signals from monopole and dipole sources are reflected from the geologic interfaces and recorded by arrays of receivers of the same tool. For the incident P-waves from the monopole source, phase arrival times for the azimuthal receivers are compensated for stacking using properties of wave propagation in the borehole, and for the incident SH-waves from the dipole source, signs of waveforms for the receivers are changed for specified azimuths.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part having an opening for receiving an insert, including forming the opening having an internal surface wherein the internal surface has a polygonal cross-section including a plurality of sides. The polygonal cross-section comprises a polygon having an area larger than a cross-section of the insert, and the sides constrain the insert so as to locate the insert in the opening when the insert is inserted into the opening.

Abstract: A sonic logging method is provided that transmits acoustic signals using a high order acoustic source and processes waveform data to identify a set of arrival events and time picks by automatic and/or manual methods. Ray tracing inversion is carried out for each arrival event over a number of possible raypath types that include at least one polarized shear raypath type to determine two-dimensional reflector positions and predicted inclination angles of the arrival event for the possible raypath types. One or more three-dimensional slowness-time coherence representations are generated for the arrival event and raypath type(s) and evaluated to determine azimuth, orientation and raypath type of a corresponding reflector. The method outputs a three-dimensional position and orientation for at least one reflector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument identification setup, comprising a sensor carrier, configured to be removably arranged in a lumen of a medical instrument. The sensor carrier has at least two localizers, the localizers each being configured for providing a sensor signal representing position and orientation of the respective localizer. The medical instrument identification setup further comprises a position detection system that is configured for determining position and orientation of the at least two localizers in a position detection system's coordinate system from received sensor signals. The medical instrument identification setup has a calibration device and a calibration unit, the calibration device being configured such that its position and orientation in the position detection system's coordinate system can be determined by the position detection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically registering an object, the method comprising the steps of providing a preoperatively obtained model of the object, providing at least one marker carrier having a plurality of fluoroscopically detectable makers and at least one marker localization element fixed on it, wherein the at least one marker localization element being configured to provide a sensor signal representing position and orientation of the marker localization element in an electromagnetic field, and relative distance and orientation between at least one marker localization element and at least one marker of the plurality of markers are known, arranging the at least one marker carrier on an outer surface of the object, generating at least one fluoroscopic image of at least one marker carrier arranged on the outer surface together with at least one segment of the object in such a way that at least two markers of at least one marker carrier are visible in the generated fluoroscopic image tog

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration method for determining position and orientation of an object in relation to a position detection system, wherein the method comprises the steps of capturing an image of a surface of an object with an image sensor unit comprising at least one motion sensor and/or at least one position sensor, determining a capturing position of the image sensor unit in a coordinate system of the position detection system by processing motion sensor signals provided by said motion sensor and/or position signals provided by said position sensor, photogrammetrically generating a surface model of the object from the captured image, and transforming the photogrammetrically generated surface model into the coordinate system of a position detection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration method for determining position and orientation of an object in relation to a position detection system, wherein the method comprises the steps of capturing an image of a surface of an object with an image sensor unit comprising at least one motion sensor and/or at least one position sensor, determining a capturing position of the image sensor unit in a coordinate system of the position detection system by processing motion sensor signals provided by said motion sensor and/or position signals provided by said position sensor, photogrammetrically generating a surface model of the object from the captured image, and transforming the photogrammetrically generated surface model into the coordinate system of a position detection system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a navigation unit that is configured for assisting a surgeon in navigating a medical instrument equipped with a localizer. The navigation unit comprises a housing, at least one localizer input port, a position detection unit, a state determination unit, a control unit and at least one operating state indicating light element. The at least one localizer input port is integrated in one of the housing walls to be accessible from outside the housing. The at least one localizer input port configured for receiving a localizer signal provided by a localizer operatively connected to the localizer input port. The at least one operating state indicating light element is connected to the control unit and integrated in one of the housing walls such that light emitted from the operating state indicating light element is visible from outside the housing. The housing accommodates at least the position detection unit, the state determination unit and the control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical kit, for performing minimally invasive spine surgery. The surgical kit comprises a position detection system, configured for detecting position and orientation of localizers from received sensor signals in the position detection system's coordinate system. The surgical kit also comprises a sensor carrier, configured to be removably arranged in a lumen of a medical instrument, the sensor carrier having at least two localizers, the localizers each being configured for providing a sensor signal representing position and orientation of the respective localizer. Furthermore, the surgical kit comprises a plurality of medical instruments having a lumen in which the sensor carrier can be removably arranged for connecting the respective medical instrument to the position detection system.

Abstract: The invention related to a balloon dilation device having a distal end and a proximal end. The balloon dilation device comprises a handle, a shaft, an inflatable balloon and at least one sensor coil. The handle extends from the proximal end of the balloon dilation device towards the distal end of the balloon dilation device. The shaft extends from the distal end of the balloon dilation device towards the proximal end of the balloon dilation device, said shaft having an inflation lumen. The inflatable balloon is fixedly arranged at the shaft. The balloon is fluidly connected to the inflation lumen such that the balloon can be inflated and deflated by feeding a fluid through the inflation lumen into the balloon. The at least one sensor coil is arranged at the shaft. The at least one sensor coil is configured for capturing an electromagnetic field and for providing a sensor coil signal representing position and orientation of the sensor coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary instrument for insertion into vessels or lumens with small inner diameters. The auxiliary instrument has a proximal end and a distal end and has at least one localization element whose position and orientation can be determined with an electromagnetic position detection system. The localization element is located directly adjacent to or at least close to the distal end of the auxiliary instrument and is configured to capture an alternating electromagnetic field. A distal end region of the auxiliary instrument extends from the distal end of the auxiliary instrument to a proximal end of the localization element such that the localization element is located within the distal end region. In that part of the distal end region in which the localization element is located, the auxiliary instrument has a low bending stiffness of less than 10 Nmm2, at least in sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a registration method for determining position and orientation of an object in relation to a position detection system, wherein the method comprises the steps of capturing an image of a surface of an object with an image sensor unit comprising at least one motion sensor and/or at least one position sensor, determining a capturing position of the image sensor unit in a coordinate system of the position detection system by processing motion sensor signals provided by said motion sensor and/or position signals provided by said position sensor, photogrammetrically generating a surface model of the object from the captured image, and transforming the photogrammetrically generated surface model into the coordinate system of a position detection system.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a part having an opening for receiving an insert, including forming the opening having an internal surface wherein the internal surface has a polygonal cross-section including a plurality of sides. The polygonal cross-section comprises a polygon having an area larger than a cross-section of the insert, and the sides constrain the insert so as to locate the insert in the opening when the insert is inserted into the opening.

Abstract: Nasal medication or drug delivery devices and methods for delivering adjustable or variable metered volumetric doses of medication or drugs to a nasal passageway of a user or patient. Relative movement between portions of a reservoir establish a set volume of medication for delivery. The delivery device may include a nosepiece for fitting into the nostril of the user or patient, a medication or drug reservoir or dosing chamber, and an external reservoir adapter for providing the medication from an external reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container for housing a diaphragm game call, comprising a case having a first member, a second member, and a line of connection therebetween, a fastening means for connecting the first and second members, and at least one moisture-retaining member disposed between the first and second members. The moisture-retaining member is preferably a sponge that can be soaked with an alcohol-free mouthwash, which helps to prevent the latex reed in the diaphragm game call from drying out and requiring replacement. The mouthwash also acts as a sanitizer to prevent the accumulation of germs and bacteria. A D-ring on the exterior of the case provides an attachment location for a lanyard, which allows a user to carry the device around his or her neck, or to remove the lanyard and carry the device in a pocket.

Abstract: A sonic logging method is provided that transmits acoustic signals using a high order acoustic source and processes waveform data to identify a set of arrival events and time picks by automatic and/or manual methods. Ray tracing inversion is carried out for each arrival event over a number of possible raypath types that include at least one polarized shear raypath type to determine two-dimensional reflector positions and predicted inclination angles of the arrival event for the possible raypath types. One or more three-dimensional slowness-time coherence representations are generated for the arrival event and raypath type(s) and evaluated to determine azimuth, orientation and raypath type of a corresponding reflector. The method outputs a three-dimensional position and orientation for at least one reflector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container for housing a diaphragm game call, comprising a case having a first member, a second member, and a line of connection therebetween, a fastening means for connecting the first and second members, and at least one moisture-retaining member disposed between the first and second members. The moisture-retaining member is preferably a sponge that can be soaked with an alcohol-free mouthwash, which helps to prevent the latex reed in the diaphragm game call from drying out and requiring replacement. The mouthwash also acts as a sanitizer to prevent the accumulation of germs and bacteria. A D-ring on the exterior of the case provides an attachment location for a lanyard, which allows a user to carry the device around his or her neck, or to remove the lanyard and carry the device in a pocket.