Abstract: A non-contacting rotary joint for transmitting and receiving electrical signals, including a transmitter having a plurality of emitters positioned in a substantially annular pattern, wherein the plurality of emitters are operable to transmit a signal; a receiver located a distance from the transmitter, wherein the receiver includes a plurality of cells operable to receive the signal across a non-contacting interface; and a signal source in communication with the transmitter; wherein the plurality of emitters form a plurality of data channels less than the number of emitters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a patient display is described. The described system includes a medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes a gantry, a patient display, and a computer. The gantry at least partially circumscribes a patient viewing area. The patient display is viewable from the patient viewing area. The patient display is communicatively coupled to the computer. The computer is programmed to receive scan protocol instructions and control the patient display according to the predetermined scan protocol. It is further programmed to prompt the patient, using the patient display, to perform a bodily action that facilitates the scan and to provide the patient with at least one of entertainment and distraction using the patient display.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes a rotatable base having a plurality of optical sources and optical receivers mounted thereon, and a stationary base having a plurality of optical sources and optical receivers mounted thereon. The system is configured to send and receive optical signals bi-directionally between the rotatable base and the stationary base while the rotatable base is rotating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data in a computed tomography (CT) system includes detecting an error in at least one of a transmitted data sample in the CT system and a data sample to be transmitted in the CT system. The method also includes replacing the erroneous data sample with an error with interpolated data from neighboring data samples.

Abstract: A computerized tomography (CT) system having an apparatus and method for receiving high data rate communication is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a controlled variable attenuator for attenuating an encoded digital data signal having a wide range of power levels, a digital envelope detector for de-encoding the encoded digital data signal, a noise filtering circuit for filtering out the residual undesirable encoded signal components, and a feedback loop for maintaining a desired signal level such that the encoded digital data signal is converted to its pre-encoded state suitable for processing to generate a CT image.

Abstract: A CT apparatus produces a trigger position signal having a programmable angular spacing, for triggering the acquisition of projections, from an encoder index pulse having a different fixed angular spacing. An estimation circuit estimates the time of occurrence of a next pulse in the trigger position signal by evaluating the timing of the encoder index pulses. The estimation circuit may be a phase-locked-loop or a set of lookup tables keyed to gantry position and speed.