Abstract: An apparatus for the protection of exposed structures, in particular cables, poles, pipes, and towers from destructive interactions with external threats, including: various animals (including man), plants, and machines as well as from general environmental hazards. The protective configurable sheath apparatus may be optimized for a specific candidate (type of animal, plant, environmental hazard, machine) or for a range of candidates. A configurable sheath fully or partially encompasses the exposed structure to be protected. The sheath may be attached in a variety of ways and is typically designed so that it is removable or upgradable. Thus, the sheath can be employed on a temporary basis or it can be replaced/modified as is needed. This versatile configurable sheath permits customization of commercially-available, mass-produced structures as well as retrofitting installed structures. Sheath base materials may serve multiple functions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high resolution breast imaging using collimated non-ionizing radiation in the near ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave regions (i.e. “light”) rather than ionizing x-radiation. The incident collimated light is transmitted through and backscattered out of a breast and loses intensity due to the properties of the breast materials in the beam path. Normal and diseased breast materials may exhibit comparatively distinct characteristics when exposed to different wavelengths of light and thereby be differentiated. Collimation can be used to control the level of scattered radiation which reaches the detector. Transmission and/or backscattered measurements can be acquired from a number of perspectives.

Abstract: A sheath apparatus is described for the protection of exposed structures, in particular cables, poles, pipes, and towers from destructive interactions with external threats, including: various animals (including man), plants, and machines as well as from general environmental hazards. The protective configurable sheath apparatus may be optimized for a specific candidate (type of animal, plant, environmental hazard, machine) or for a range of candidates. A configurable sheath fully or partially encompasses the exposed structure to be protected. The sheath may be attached by a variety of means and is typically designed so that it is removable or upgradable. Thus, the sheath can be employed on a temporary basis or it can be replaced/modified as is needed. This versatile configurable sheath permits customization of commercially-available, mass-produced structures as well as retrofitting of installed structures. Sheath base materials may serve multiple functions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for imaging and identifying concealed objects within an obscuring medium using radiation (optical, photo-acoustic, ionizing, and/or acoustic) optimized for imaging (e.g. temporal properties, spectral bandwidth, directionality, polarization, etc.). Radiation propagates through, interacts with, exits the medium and the object, and is detected/imaged. Image quality can be improved if radiation is collimated and/or if transmission and/or backscattered measurements from a number of perspectives are used to improved image reconstruction. Coupling materials can be employed during image acquisition to enhance radiation coupling as well as providing desirable absorption and scattering properties. Contrast materials and agents can also aid in the detection of concealed objects. Adaptive methods, e.g. using reference objects, including implementations based on the concept of guide stars, can improve the imaging process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high resolution breast imaging using collimated non-ionizing acoustic radiation and electromagnetic radiation in the near ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave regions (i.e. "light") rather than ionizing x-radiation. The light used is of a narrow spectral bandwidth in that the optical properties of interest are relatively uniform over the bandwidth. The incident collimated light is transmitted through and backscattered out of a breast. Normal and diseased breast materials exhibit comparatively distinct characteristics when exposed to radiation and are thereby differentiated. Collimation can also be used to control the level of scattered radiation. Radiation coupling materials can be employed during image acquisition to enhance radiation coupling into and out of the breast as well as providing desirable absorption and scattering properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of use and construction of Anthropomorphic Mammography Phantoms. The phantoms resolve deficiencies that currently exist in the practice of mammography x-ray imaging. The mammography phantom provides mammography practitioners a training tool in the practice of proper patient breast positioning and in optimal patient x-ray exposure. The mammography phantom can be used to generate x-ray images similar to mammography patient x-ray images. The mammography phantom simulates normal breast tissue and tissue irregularities and anomalies associated with various known breast pathologies such as microcalcifications, cysts, tumors, etc. The mammography phantom preferably comprises the shape of an upper torso of a woman including one or two breast simulators which can vary in size, density, compressibility, and stretchability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method of use and construction of Anthropomorphic Mammography and Lung Phantoms. The phantoms resolve deficiencies that currently exist in the practice of mammography and lung x-ray imaging. The mammography phantom provides mammography practitioners a training tool in the practice of proper patient breast positioning and in optimal patient x-ray exposure. The mammography phantom can be used to generate x-ray images similar to mammography patient x-ray images. The mammography phantom simulates normal breast tissue and tissue irregularities and anomalies associated with various known breast pathologies such as microcalcifications, cysts, tumors, etc. The mammography phantom preferably comprises the shape of an upper torso of a woman including one or two breast simulators which can vary in size, density, compressibility, and stretchability.

Abstract: A multilayer x-ray reflector or reflectors are used with a source of radiation for narrow bandwidth or dual energy radiographic imaging applications. In one aspect, a unique multilayer design permits two distinct x-ray energies of narrow bandwidth to be reflected at the same incident angle for use in dual energy applications. In another aspect, several multilayer reflectors are employed in a slit scanning system. In yet another aspect, an elongated radiation source and a multilayer x-ray reflecting structure are combined to provide an x-ray or gamma ray source.

Abstract: A multilayer x-ray reflector or reflectors are used with a source of radiation for narrow bandwidth or dual energy radiographic imaging applications. In one aspect, a unique multilayer design permits two distinct x-ray energies of narrow bandwith to be reflected at the same incident angle for use in dual energy applications. In another aspect, several multilayer reflectors are employed in a slit scanning system. In yet another aspect, an elongated radiation source and a multilayer x-ray reflecting structure are combined to provide an x-ray or gamma ray source.

Abstract: A source of high resolution non-ionizing radiation of narrow spectral bandwidth is used in conjunction with optical detectors positioned on one or more sides of a breast to obtain mammographic images. Reflected and transmitted images may be obtained to determine the position of objects within the breast and their nature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high resolution breast imaging which uses collimated light (in the near ultraviolet, visible, or infrared) of a narrow spectral bandwidth rather than ionizing X-ray radiation. The collimated light is transmitted through the breast, losing intensity due to the reflective, absorptive and refractive properties of the breast materials in the beam path. Normal and diseased breast materials may exhibit distinctive characteristics from each other when exposed to different wavelengths of light. Several images can be acquired at distinct wavelengths of light to help differentiate normal and diseased breast materials. Light transmitted through the breast is recorded by a photodetector, generating an analog signal which can then be digitized and made available to a computer for analysis, processing and display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for high resolution breast imaging which uses collimated light (in the near Ultraviolet, visible, or infra-red) of a narrow spectral bandwidth rather than ionizing X-ray radiation. The collimated light is transmitted through the breast, losing intensity due to the reflective, absorptive and refractive properties of the breast materials in the beam path. Normal and diseased breast materials may exhibit distinctive characteristics from each other when exposed to different wavelength of light. Several images can be acquired at distinct wavelengths of light to help differentiate normal and diseased breast materials. Light transmitted through the breast is recorded by a photodetector, generating an analog signal which can then be digitized and made available to a computer for analysis, processing and display.