Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: Images obtained by a camera system (10) arranged to obtain images of a patient (20) undergoing radio-therapy are processed by a modeling unit (56,58) which generates a model of the surface of a patient (20) being monitored. Additionally the patient monitoring system processes image data not utilized to generate a model of the surface of a patient being monitored to determine further information concerning the treatment of the patient (20). Such additional data can comprise data identifying the relative location of the patient and a treatment apparatus (16). This can be facilitated by providing a number or retro-reflective markers (30-40) on a treatment apparatus (16) and a mechanical couch (18) used to position the patient (20) relative to the treatment apparatus (16) and monitoring the presence and location of the markers in the portions of the images obtained by the stereoscopic camera (10).

Abstract: An optical numerical computation method obtains operands that have respective values and modulates light sources to output light at amplitudes proportional to the operands. The light output for a given operand depends on whether the operand is positive or negative. The positive operands are output at wavelengths different from the negative operands. For operands that have multiple digits, the digits are separately treated so that the least significant digits are modulated with light sources at one frequency, and the most significant digits in two-digit numbers are modulated at another frequency, with positive and negative operands modulated at different frequencies. The light from the light sources enters a light collection cavity where it is sensed with sensors that generate resultant outputs at values indicative of the sensed light value.

Abstract: In one light-based computing method, a first light representing a first numerical input, a second light representing a second numerical input, and a third light representing an output command are received. The first and second lights are comingled. The output light sum of the numerical inputs is based on sensing the amplitude of the comingled light. In another light-based computing method, non-binary values are associated with corresponding light amplitudes. A main light containment area comingles two or more lights inside it. Each of the two or more lights has an amplitude associated with a non-binary value. After sensing light in a secondary light containment area, the resultant light amplitude of the comingled light is detected and becomes the basis for the result of the calculation.

Abstract: Images obtained by a camera system (10) arranged to obtain images of a patient (20) undergoing radio-therapy are processed by a modeling unit (56,58) which generates a model of the surface of a patient (20) being monitored. Additionally the patient monitoring system processes image data not utilized to generate a model of the surface of a patient being monitored to determine further information concerning the treatment of the patient (20). Such additional data can comprise data identifying the relative location of the patient and a treatment apparatus (16). This can be facilitated by providing a number or retro-reflective markers (30-40) on a treatment apparatus (16) and a mechanical couch (18) used to position the patient (20) relative to the treatment apparatus (16) and monitoring the presence and location of the markers in the portions of the images obtained by the stereoscopic camera (10).

Abstract: A light-based apparatus has an input device, accepting two or more numerical inputs and an output command. It has a logic unit that receives the two numerical inputs from the input device, and is adapted to combine various lights, in amplitudes based on the respective values of the numerical inputs, to produce an output light sum representing a sum of the two numerical inputs. The logic unit also has an output sensing circuit to sense the output light sum. The logic unit is responsive to the output command to output a value representing the output light sum. The device uses a computing method that includes comingling light from multiple sources, at the same time, in a light containment area to provide comingled light. The method includes using light amplitude sensing circuitry to sense an amplitude of the comingled light, outputting an arithmetic sum, based on the amplitude of the comingled light, without using a binary computer to compute the arithmetic sum.

Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: A void occlusion implant (10) for inserting into a void in a body tissue, the implant (10) comprises a polymeric material which is capable of transitioning from a compressed state to an expanded state upon exposure to a stimulus, wherein in the expanded state the implant is capable of assuming the size and shape of the void and wherein the implant (10) exhibits a peak expansion force of 0.1 to 2N at 37° C.

Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: A data security apparatus has an analog component and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives an incoming digital message and converts it to or from encrypted form using the analog component. The control circuitry drives the analog component with drive signals and receives back a digital representation of what the analog component's sensor outputs. It uses this in making a digital keystream. In operation, the control circuitry makes the drive signals by encrypting a nonce-based value with a key. It can encrypt the digital representation of the sensor outputs that resulted from the drive signal, with the same key. The control circuitry also can also encrypt the nonce-based value with a different key, and then combine this with the encrypted sensor output to generate the digital keystream that is uses in the conversion.

Abstract: Images obtained by a camera system (10) arranged to obtain images of a patient (20) undergoing radio-therapy are processed by a modeling unit (56,58) which generates a model of the surface of a patient (20) being monitored. Additionally the patient monitoring system processes image data not utilized to generate a model of the surface of a patient being monitored to determine further information concerning the treatment of the patient(20). Such additional data can comprise data identifying the relative location of the patient and a treatment apparatus (16). This can be facilitated by providing a number or retro-reflective markers (30-40) on a treatment apparatus (16) and a mechanical couch (18) used to position the patient (20) relative to the treatment apparatus (16) and monitoring the presence and location of the markers in the portions of the images obtained by the stereoscopic camera (10).

Abstract: A data security apparatus includes an analog component. The analog component operates internally with a high degree of entropy. This high degree of entropy resides in the interactions between its internal components in response to an external driving signal. The interactions within the analog component have a level of entropy that is high enough to make digital simulation of the analog component impractical. Because the analog component is impractical to digitally simulate it is referred to as being digitally unclonable. The data security apparatus processes data by encrypting plaintext data into ciphertext and/or decrypting data from ciphertext into plaintext. Part of the conversion between plaintext and ciphertext uses the analog component.

Abstract: An optical numerical computation method obtains operands that have respective values, and modulates light sources to output light at amplitudes proportional to the operands. The light output for a given operand depends on whether the operand is positive or negative. The positive operands are output at wavelengths different from the negative operands. For operands that have multiple digits, the digits are separately treated so that the least significant digits are modulated with light sources at one frequency, and the most significant digits in two-digit numbers are modulated at another frequency, with positive and negative operands modulated at different frequencies. The light from the light sources enters a light collection cavity where it is sensed with sensors that generate resultant outputs at values indicative of the sensed light value.

Abstract: The disclosed calibration method includes a calibration phantom positioned on an adjustable table on the surface of a mechanical couch, with the phantom's centre at an estimated location for the iso-centre of a radio therapy treatment apparatus. The calibration phantom is then irradiated using the apparatus, and the relative location of the center of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus is determined by analyzing images of the irradiation of the calibration phantom. The calibration phantom is then repositioned by the mechanical couch applying an offset corresponding to the determined relative location of the centre of the calibration phantom and the iso-centre of the apparatus to the calibration phantom. Images of the relocated calibration phantom are obtained, to which the offset has been applied, and the obtained images are processed to set the co-ordinate system of a stereoscopic camera system relative to the iso-centre of the apparatus.

Abstract: Images obtained by a camera system (10) arranged to obtain images of a patient (20) undergoing radio-therapy are processed by a modeling unit (56,58) which generates a model of the surface of a patient (20) being monitored. Additionally the patient monitoring system processes image data not utilized to generate a model of the surface of a patient being monitored to determine further information concerning the treatment of the patient (20). Such additional data can comprise data identifying the relative location of the patient and a treatment apparatus (16). This can be facilitated by providing a number or retro-reflective markers (30-40) on a treatment apparatus (16) and a mechanical couch (18) used to position the patient (20) relative to the treatment apparatus (16) and monitoring the presence and location of the markers in the portions of the images obtained by the stereoscopic camera (10).

Abstract: In embodiments, a hot tap clamping system comprises a clamp which fits over and secures against a pipe, an actuator interface, an actuator operatively in communication with clamp, and a hot tap assembly. In a further embodiment, a system for sealing a flowline with a metal seal after hot tapping comprises a sealer, a hot tap drill/plug running tool, and a metal seal plug which is typically configured for use in sealing a flowline, e.g. a pipe, with a metal seal after hot tapping where the metal plug seal is inserted into the pipe and engages with and seals as a hot tap.